Match Preview: Fleetwood Town v Rochdale

20 September 2019

Fleetwood Town will take on Rochdale this Saturday afternoon down at Highbury, and we have all you need to know ahead of the 3pm kick-off in our match preview.

Fixture: Fleetwood Town v Rochdale

Competition: Sky Bet League One

Date of game: Saturday 21^st September 2019

Kick-off time: 3:00pm

Venue: Highbury Stadium, Park Avenue, Fleetwood, FY7 6TX

Match officials: Graham Salisbury (Referee), Matthew Jones & Peter Gooch (Assistant Referees) & Geoffrey Liddle (Fourth Official)

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FLEETWOOD TOWN

Fleetwood sit 7^th in Sky Bet League One after a number of teams in and around them played on Tuesday night – Town’s fixture was cancelled due to Bury being kicked out of the league. With four wins, two draws and two losses, it’s the home form that has impressed many.

With home victories over AFC Wimbledon, Accrington Stanley and Oxford United and a draw with Wycombe Wanderers in between, it’s 10 points from a possible 12 at Highbury. Can Joey Barton and his side keep that unbeaten record going this weekend?

In Town’s last fixture they played out a six-goal thriller at Roots Hall against Southend United. Town conceded first with Stephen McLaughlin scoring from a set-piece, however it was Fleetwood who lead at the break thanks to goals from Jimmy Dunne and Josh Morris.

After the restart, Southend equalised through Stephen Humphrys, with Kyle Dempsey heading one home on his 100^th EFL appearance for the club. A goal worthy of winning the match, but it wasn’t to be with Humphrys added a third on the stroke of the final whisle.

Forward Wes Burns is in contention to make his 100th EFL appearance for the club - a week after Kyle Dempsey made his.

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ROCHDALE

Rochdale have had a steady start to the 2019/20 campaign under new manager Brian Brian Murphy, with two wins, four draws and two losses in their opening eight games of the season.

With an opening day win over Tranmere at Prenton Park, a comfortable 3-0 away win at Southend United, Dale currently sit 16^th in the league standings. Goals have come from midfielder Callum Camps and striker, Ian Henderosn, with Aaron Morley getting two in six appearances.

Rochdale’s last league result was a 1-1 home draw with newly promoted Lincoln City. Stephen Dooley got the home side off to the perfect start with a goal in the 13^th minute, with Tyler Walker – who scored two against Town earlier in the season – bagging four minutes from time.

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WATCH TOWN ON IFOLLOW

Can’t make it to Highbury on Saturday? Don’t worry as you can keep up to date with the game through our official iFollow!

For just £2.50, supporters who are based in the United Kingdom and abroad can listen to match updated from the comfort of their own home.

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

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LAST LEAGUE MEETING AT HIGHBURY

The last time Fleetwood and Rochdale met at Highbury was back in August 2018, and it ended up 2-2 after goals from Paddy Madden and Ched Evans were cancelled out by Ian Henderson.

Madden opened the scoring before Henderson equalised five minutes after the restart. The Welshman gave Town the lead in the 56^th minute, with Henderson providing late drama as he slotted home to salvage a point for Dale on the road.

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ONE TO WATCH: IAN HENDERSON

Henderson – who has four goals to his name already this season – started off his career at Norwich City, where he made his debut for the Canaries in October 2002. He played for five years before he moved to Northampton Town after a brief loan spell at Rotherham United.

After another short spell at Northampton and Luton Town, Henderson moved to Ankaragucu in Turkey after a successful trial but only played two games for the club before moving back to England and signing for Colchester United. After three seasons at the club, the player moved to Rochdale on a free transfer.

Since signing for Rochdale in 2013, Henderson has finished every season in double figures for goals. Last season he was the Dale’s top scorer where he managed to rack up 21 goals, a tally that he’s almost surpassed already this season.

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JOEY BARTON’S PRE-MATCH QUOTES

Fleetwood Town's head coach Joey Barton spoke to the press ahead of the game, and you can watch his full interview live on iFollow.

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TICKET INFORMATION

Adults from £22

Concessions from £17

Under 16s from £5

For more details on tickets, visit the ticket office at Highbury, or call (01253) 775080. You can also buy your tickets online - saving you time ahead of the match.

If you require any further matchday details, head over to our Matchday Guide.

BETTING ODDS

For Fleetwood Town to pick up all three points against Rochdale on Saturday, the odds are currently 8/13, with a draw between the sides priced at 14/5 – the same outcome last season when the two sides met on the Fylde Coast.

The odds for Fleetwood to win and both teams to score has been given a price boost, seeing the odds go from 9/4 to 11/4.

After scoring a last-gasp equaliser against Wycombe on Tuesday, Paddy Madden is 3/1 to be the firsr or last goal scorer, with Kyle Dempsey 9/2 to score at any time in the match. Will the midfielder add to his goal tally after opening his account last weekend against Southend?

You can find more odds on SkyBet. Please remember to bet and gamble responsibly and that odds may change.

Match Reports

Report: Late Evans header gives Town all three points over Rochdale

21 September 2019

Fleetwood Town left it late to keep their unbeaten home record going after a 2-1 victory over Rochdale in the Sky Bet League One fixture at Highbury.

Fleetwood came back from behind as the visitors grabbed the first goal of the afternoon in the eighth minute through Rekeil Pyke’s finish from six yards. The equaliser came through Danny Andrew, as the full back was able to finish a low cross from Wes Burns!

It was a frustrating second half for Fleetwood as Rochdale continued to sit back and try to soak up the pressure from Town, However, in the 87^th minute, a brilliant cross from Ash Hunter was guided into the net by Ched Evans.

Joey Barton made three changes to the starting eleven that drew 3-3 with Southend last Saturday. Matt Gilks was dropped to the bench, meaning that Alex Cairns returned in between the sticks. Whilst Harry Souttar came back in the starting eleven after featuring off the bench against Southend following the international break. The third and final change saw Evans enter the frame, replacing Paddy Madden.

Fleetwood Town got the game underway and began very brightly, causing issues for the Rochdale defence, in the first 5 minutes. The Cod Army forced a corner, and shortly after Danny Andrew had the chance to open the scoring.

The full-back found himself in space on the left, before cutting inside to unleash a curling effort but the shot was just wide of the post.

The visitors however open the scoring after Luke Matheson’s header at the back post was able to find Rekeil Pyke - who was able to turn and slot past Alex Cairns from six yards.

Fleetwood reacted well and almost found an equaliser when Josh Morris was picked out on the edge of the box, before the winger hit a low-driven shot at goal but Robert Sanchez smothered the ball with ease.

It was end-to-end stuff on a sunny afternoon on the Fylde Coast, with Rochdale this time creating a dangerous chance inside the box, which was hit over the crossbar by Ian Henderson.

The Dale continued to take chances at the back and eventually were punished. Wes Burns, on his 100^th league appearance for Fleetwood, was able to tee-up Andrew with a low cross into the box, before the left-back’s effort hit the back of the net – taking his goal tally to two for the season.

Since the equaliser, Fleetwood Town found themselves in control of the game – dominating the ball and creating many chances. The latest being Kyle Dempsey’s effort from outside the box that sailed over the bar.

Rochdale’s end to the first half was a big contrast to how they began, the visitors were sitting very deep with a lot of men behind the ball – allowing Town to further dictate the game, looking for the clinical pass through the numerous bodies.

The start to the second half was more reserved with both teams taking time to grow into it.

The first chance in the second half fell to Morris, who was able to turn and fire a shot at goal, which forced Sanchez to make a brilliant diving save.

Fleetwood finally got their foot on the game and were constantly pressurising the Dale defenders. Jordan Rossiter capitalised on a loose ball in midfield and was driving towards goal before brought down by a nasty foul. Andrew’s resulting free kick didn’t trouble the Rochdale keeper.

Substitute Ash Hunter made an immediate impact, and after he received the ball on the left, he whipped in a dangerous cross that was just wide of the far post, and ever so close to a clinical touch from Evans.

The Cod Army finally got the goal they deserved. A spectacular cross from the left by Hunter was met by the head of Evans, who guided it into the bottom corner of Sanchez’s net. A wonderful move capped off by a brilliant goal.

Fleetwood Town remain unbeaten at home since February following Saturday's 2-1 win against a well-drilled Rochdale side.

Fleetwood XI: Cairns (GK), Coyle, Souttar, Dunne, Andrew, Rossiter, Coutts (C), Dempsey (Madden 61’), Burns (Mooney 82’), Evans, Morris (Hunter 72’).

Unused Subs: Gilks (GK), Clarke, Biggins, Sheron.

Rochdale XI: Sanchez (GK), Norrington-Davies, McNulty, O’Connell (Ryan 18’), Dooley, Williams, Camps, Pyke (Morley 49’), Rathebone, Henderson (C), Matheson.

Unused Subs: Lynch (GK), Andrew, Keohane, Wilbraham, Tavares.

Attendance: 3,229 (650)

Ticket News

Back the lads this weekend at home against Rochdale

16 September 2019

Now is the time for you to get your tickets for Fleetwood Town’s Sky Bet League One match against Rochdale on Saturday 21st September at Highbury Stadium.

Joey Barton’s side were on the road last time out against Southend United, where they drew 3-3 against Gary Waddock’s Shrimpers at Roots Hall. Kyle Dempsey made his 100th EFL appearance for the club, scoring a bullet header in the second half.

With Town unbeaten at home this season, now is the time for you to get your tickets and back the lads with the match kicking off at 3pm!

Tickets are priced as followed:

Adult - £22

Senior & Under 25s (Concessions 60+) - £17

Under 16s - £7

Under 5s will get free entry with a paying adult.

For any further details, please call the Fleetwood Town ticket office on (01253) 775080. Supporters can also buy tickets for the match online, making it easier for you to grab your ticket and then to watch the Cod Army!

Onward Card tickets are on sale throughout the season, and if you have yet to get yours, click HERE to find out the benefits of purchasing your card today!

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