Preview: Rochdale v Fleetwood Town

2 October 2020

Fleetwood Town face Rochdale on Saturday 3 October at Highbury Stadium in Sky Bet League One, and we have all you need to know ahead of the 3pm kick-off in our match preview.

Fixture: Rochdale v Fleetwood Town

Competition: Sky Bet League One

Date: Saturday 3 October 2020

Kick-off: 15:00

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

Match officials: James Oldham (Referee), Garry Maskell and Steven Rushton (Assistant Referees), Danny Gratton (Fourth Official)

FLEETWOOD TOWN

The Cod Army head into this Sky Bet League One clash against Rochdale, looking to get back on track and earn all three points.

Fleetwood started out the game the better side, creating multiple chances that troubled Wimbledon’s goalkeeper Connal Trueman, but it was Steve Seddon’s first-half strike that settled the tie just before the break.

Before that, Fleetwood tested themselves against Premier League opposition in the Carabao Cup, as they faced Everton at Highbury Stadium. Town managed to score two goals past England international Jordan Pickford on the night, with one of those goals being an overhead kick from midfielder Callum Camps.

ROCHDALE

Rochdale have had a tough set of fixtures lately, facing the likes of Sheffield Wednesday, Portsmouth and Manchester United U21s.

In their last fixture, Dale tested themselves against the Under 21s side from Manchester United in the EFL Trophy, and after 90 minutes, there was nothing to separate the sides. In the penalty shootout that followed, Rochdale converted four of their six spot-kicks, but it wasn’t quite enough as the Red Devils netted five.

Rochdale’s last league outing saw them lose 2-0 to Ipswich Town at Portman Road. The game was goalless at the break but two quickfire goals from Teddy Bishop and Gwion Edwards decided the fixture.

COACHES QUOTES – JOEY BARTON

“BBM (Brian Barry-Murphy) has got them playing, they are adventurous, and it will be an entertaining game.

“I think it’s two good footballing sides who will trade with each other. Our strength is in the offensive part of the team and we’ll be setting up to go and score goals and win a game of football.

“The way that they try to play is quite similar so it won’t be a 0-0 or a dull encounter, they’ve got some young players in their side and so have we so I’m really looking forward to it.”

Watch head coach Joey Barton’s pre-match press conference on our iFollow HERE.

ONE TO WATCH – OLIVER RATHBONE

One to watch from Rochdale is midfielder, Oliver Rathbone. The 23-year-old signed for Rochdale in June 2016 after leaving Manchester United. He made his debut for the club against Notts County in the Checkatrade Trophy.

The highly-rated midfielder, who is a product of United’s Academy, penned a one-year-deal after arriving at the Crown Oil Arena, but his performances were so impressive that the contract was extended to the end of last term.

Ollie was then offered a new deal by Dale in the summer and although there was interest in him from other parties, he was happy to commit his future to the club for three more years.

Oliver Rathbone.jpg

WATCH TOWN ON IFOLLOW

Supporters can now purchase video match passes for Fleetwood Town’s Sky Bet League One clash against Rochdale on Saturday.

With games still being played behind closed doors, the match pass is your best option to watch the Cod Army during the early stages of the 2020/21 season.

Joey Barton's side head down to the Crown Oil Arena to face Rochdale on Saturday 3 October as they look to get back to winning ways - and you can watch the game against The Dale for just £10!

If you'd like to purchase your match pass, click HERE.

Match Previews

Match Reports

Report: Town concede late on as Rochdale take all three points

3 October 2020

Fleetwood Town fought valiantly at the Crown Oil Arena as they lost 2-1 to Rochdale after a late goal from Fabio Tavares.

Forward Harvey Saunders drew the game level late on, cancelling out Matthew Lund’s first-half goal, but Fabio Tavares struck back just before the end.

The first chance of the game fell to Rochdale just three minutes in. A long ball over the top found Jake Beesley but Alex Cairns was quick to react and nick the ball from the feet of the attacker.

The hosts had another chance to take the lead when Jimmy Keohane’s cross from the right-hand side was met by Oliver Rathbone whose effort was tipped around the post by Cairns – Lund headed home from the resulting corner.

Lund found himself in the middle of the action once again when he tried his luck from range forcing a save out of Cairns at full stretch to keep the deficit to just one.

Fleetwood reacted and pushed for an equaliser with Wes Burns. His lobbed cross found Paddy Madden at the back post whose strike didn’t trouble the goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu.

Callum Camps found an inch of space on the edge of the box but after pressure from the Rochdale defence his effort flies just over the bar.

At the other end, The Dale had the chance to add to their tally. Alex Newby made his way into the area before driving a shot towards goal but saw his effort easily saved.

Barrie McKay’s driving run down the left saw him find the space to drill a ball into the feet of Madden who was charged down by the Rochdale defence blocking his shot.

Fleetwood were beginning to find their feet just before the break and after a tidy bit of build-up play, the Cod Army forced a chance, but Camps miscued his effort from 20 yards out meaning his side went in a goal down at the break.

An early second half scare for Fleetwood as five minutes after the interval Done’s whipped free-kick clipped the top of the cross bar and Cairns could only watch on.

Just before the hour mark, the hosts had the chance to make it two. Done’s corner was only partially cleared to the edge of the area. Stephen Dooley latched onto the loose ball and fired just wide of the Fleetwood goal.

With 12 minutes to go, McKay found Saunders in the penalty area whose one-touch finish found the far corner to level the score.

Moments later Joey Barton’s side had the chance to take the lead. Burn’s dangerous ball into the area was spilled by Bazunu into the path of Evans whose effort was cleared off the line.

With 12 minutes to go Lund forced a sensational save from Cairns who pushed the ball over the bar with his left hand – substitute Tavares scored from the resulting corner.

Rochdale XI: Bazunu, McShane, O’Connell, Dooley, Morley, Newby (Tavares 85), Beesley, Keohane, Rathbone, Done, Lund.

Unused subs: Charlton, McNulty, Hopper, Brierley, Dunne.

Town XI: Cairns (GK), Andrew, Whelan, Burns, Evans, Camps, Madden (Saunders 63), McKay, Boyes, Hill (Duffy 61), Matete (Coutts 45).

Unused subs: Leutwiler (GK), Stubbs, Garner, Rydel.