Boxing Day Preview: Rochdale v Fleetwood Town

26 December 2019

Fleetwood Town travel to the Crown Oil Arena on Boxing Day to face Rochdale in Sky Bet League One, and we have all you need to know in our match preview.

Fixture: Rochdale v Fleetwood Town

Competition: Sky Bet League One

Date: Thursday 26 December 2020

Kick-off: 15:00

Venue: Crown Oil Arena, Sandy Lane, Rochdale, OL11 5DR

Match officials: James Oldham (Referee) David Avent & Paul Graham (Assistants) Anthony Moore (Fourth Official)

This will be James Oldham’s 15^th match of the season, with his last game being a 1-1 draw between Walsall and Macclesfield on Saturday 14 December.

The man in the middle on Boxing Day has dished out 49 yellow cards, whilst handing out three red cards – two of those being in November in the Scunthorpe’s clash with Port Vale.

Oldham was predominately a referee in the National League last season, and was in charge of the Play-Off Final between AFC Fylde and Salford City – which Salford won 3-0 at Wembley.

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FLEETWOOD TOWN

The Cod Army will be looking to get back to winning ways after going so close against Rotherham United last time out. Despite taking the lead twice in the match thanks to two goals from Ched Evans, the Millers managed to salvage a point on home soil.

Fleetwood currently sit 9^th in Sky Bet League One, just two point outside the Play-Off places, with two games in hand on those around them in the table.

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ROCHDALE

Our Boxing Day hosts Rochdale sit 18^th in the Sky Bet League One table, with 22 points to their name after 21 games. Their last match was away at Burton Albion, where the Dale lost 3-1 with Ryan Edwards, Lucas Akins and Liam Boyce scoring for the Brewers. Callum Camps did give Rochdale the lead with two minutes on the clock.

Rochdale have only won two games at home in the league this season, with the last one being their 2-0 win over MK Dons at the back end of October.

Fleetwood got the better of Rochdale when the two sides met at Highbury at the start of the season, with Danny Andrew and Ched Evans scoring on that occasion to give Joey Barton’s side all three points.

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ONE TO WATCH – CALLUM CAMPS

One for Town fans to keep an eye out for on Thursday is midfielder, Callum Camps. The 24-year-old has featured in 29 games this campaign, scoring eight goals in the process.

His last goal was in his sides 3-1 defeat away at Burton Albion, but the central midfielder offers a lot more to the Dale than his goals. Camps has come through the ranks at Rochdale, and after impressive displays in the Youth team, he signed his first professional contract in 2013.

Camps has represented Northern Ireland at U18s and U21s level, and is knocking on the door of the senior team.

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WATCH ON IFOLLOW

If you can’t make it to Rochdale on Boxing Day? Well don’t worry as we’ve got you covered as you can listen to full match commentary on iFollow.

Supporters based in the United Kingdom, Ireland and around the world can live stream the full match, whilst listening to full match commentary for just £10!

You can buy a special gift package this Christmas too, so why not check out this offer HERE.

If you want to know more about iFollow, and find out ways to support the Cod Army, click HERE. (terms and conditions)

Any further questions on iFollow Fleetwood, please contact sam.fielding@fleetwoodtownfc.com.

WHAT JOEY BARTON HAD TO SAY AFTER ROTHERHAM DRAW:

Joey Barton spoke after his sides 2-2 draw at Rotherham, and here are his best bits:

“I said to the lads our season starts here. Everybody is jockeying for a position, everybody beats everybody in our league and the results today are testament to that.

“We just need to focus on us and we’ve got to be a side that’s capable of beating any team. At this moment in time we have that feel good factor at home and can beat anybody, and the challenge for us is to build that on the road.

“That’s another point on the board and it keeps us in touching distance of that group that’s at the top end of the table.”

On the Christmas fixture list…

“It is what it is! As a player you prepare for these moment, and the players are well versed to it. For me I don’t really think it changes too much, just that the games come thick and fast and once you get into the Christmas, you don’t even know what day it is.”

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BOXING DAY BETTING ODDS

You can get a price of 10/11 for Town to pick up all three points against Rochdale, with a draw being priced at 23/10.

For Fleetwood to win the match, but for both teams to score, the odds are boosted to 7/2.

Last time the two sides met at the Crown Oil Arena, the match finished 1-1. For the same result on Boxing Day – the odds are 11/2.

Here are some odds of players to score first / last:

Paddy Madden: 16/5 (both)

Ched Evans: 4/1 (both)

Josh Morris: 5/1 (both)

Wes Burns: 15/2 (both)

For more odds on SkyBet, CLICK HERE. Please remember to bet and gamble responsibly.

Match Reports

Report: Town edge five goal thriller at Rochdale

26 December 2019

Fleetwood Town come from behind to beat a spirited Rochdale side 3-2 at Crown Oil Arena on Boxing Day.

In an end-to-end match, Aaron Wilbraham headed Rochdale in front five minutes before the break, with Paddy Madden scoring from close range after Ched Evans’ header was saved by Robert Sanchez.

Wilbraham netted once more for the hosts with immediate effect, with goals from two substitutes, Kyle Dempsey and Wes Burns completing the comeback with two instinctive shots deep inside Rochdale's half.

The Cod Army then survived 13 minutes of added time, to move just three points off the automatic promotion spots in League One.

With a slow start to the game, the first real opportunity came from a Fleetwood set-piece. Paul Coutts’ free-kick to the left of goal was cleared off the line, with Harrison Biggins having a punt from range, only to see his shot blocked.

After a quiet ten minutes, one chance fell for each team and it was Danny Andrew who had a sight of goal and struck one from outside of the area, but his drive was well blocked by Eoghan O’Connell. Then, as Rochdale countered on halfway, Matthew Done had his own effort blocked by former Dale man Ashley Eastham.

Just before half an hour had passed, Fleetwood moved forward again with force, and this time it was Biggins who had a chance to shoot from distance, but his low effort was dragged wide.

With five minutes to go until the break, the hosts took the lead. You’d have to say slightly against the run of play, but Wilbraham was the man to head home at the near post despite Billy Crellin getting a hand to the effort.

The second half saw Fleetwood start brightly, and when Andrew found the on running Evans, his looping header bounced off the bar – with Robert Sanchez letting it drop right under his own eyes.

Town never gave up and that pressure eventually paid off. Madden converted from close range after Evans’ header was saved, and the Irishman didn’t disappoint to put the score line level, and to net his 17th of the season.

The home side replied almost instantly! After a cross wasn’t dealt with from Town's back line, Wilbraham lurked at the far post and hit his effort first team, whilst also beating Crellin at his near post.

In an pulsating second half, the Cod Army levelled once again just a minutes later. Dempsey - who had just been brought on off the bench - made sure that his impact was noticed as he fired in the equaliser from distance.

Two minutes later, Town could have taken the lead for the first time. Burns floated a cross into the area with Sanchez flapping at the ball, but the visitors didn’t capitalise on the mistake from the Spanish keeper.

Then, it was the home side who had a chance to go in front again! With Crellin under pressure, he managed to tipped over an impressive effort from Kwadwo Baah - which looked goal bound.

With a long stoppage of play due to what looked to be a serious injury to Rhys Norrington Davies, it meant the hosts were down to ten men and had to do that for 15 minutes, 13 of those being added on time.

After the stoppage, Town completed the comeback! Burns was alert in the penalty area after it pinballed around, and made it count with his first league goal of the campaign.

With the clock well into the 13 minutes added on, Crellin made a smart save before Harry Souttar managed to get across to block the shot! It was eventually punted upfield away from danger.

Barton’s side managed the remaining time well and kept knocking the ball around with confidence, which resulted in his team picking up only their third league away win of the season.

The result on Boxing Day means that Town have ended the year away from home in style, and now look forward to two important matches back at Highbury with Bristol Rovers and Sunderland the visitors to the Fylde Coast.

Town XI: Crellin (GK), Coyle, Andrew, Eastham, Souttar, Evans, Morris (McAleny 74’), Coutts (C), Madden, Biggins (Burns 64’), Sowerby (Dempsey 64’).

Subs not used: Cairns (GK), Clarke, Saunders, Hill.

Rochdale XI: Sanchez (GK), Norrington-Davies, O’Connell, Dooley (Andrew 78’), Williams, Camps (C), Keohane, Done (Baah 66’), Wilbraham, Ryan (Rathbone 62’), Matheson.

Subs not used: Lynch (GK), Maglorie, Gillam, Tavares.

Ticket News

Support the Cod Army on Boxing Day!

23 December 2019

Make sure to get down to the Crown Oil Arena on Boxing Day and support Fleetwood Town in their Sky Bet League One clash against Rochdale.

The game in Greater Manchester is right in the middle of a packed festive schedule, with games against Bristol Rovers and Sunderland in the near future.

Joey Barton’s side were held to a 2-2 draw at Rotherham in the last game before Christmas, and they need you cheering them on come the 26^th.

Away supporters will be situated in the Willbutt’s Lane Stand, with prices as follows:

Adults - £22*

Seniors (65+) - £16*

17-21 - £16*

Under 16s - £5*

Under 2s – FREE

*Please note that these prices will increase by £3 if purchased on the day of the game from Rochdale*

The club will be running coaches that will be departing Highbury at 11:30am on the day of the game. Coach travel will cost only £5 for Onward Card holders, and £10 for all other supporters.

To book your tickets, please call the Fleetwood Town ticket office on 01253 775080, visit www.ftfcstore.com or call into the club shop at Highbury.

Fleetwood Town

Standings

Boxing Day Preview: Rochdale v Fleetwood Town

Report: Town edge five goal thriller at Rochdale

Support the Cod Army on Boxing Day!

Tickets and travel on sale for Boxing Day trip to Rochdale