Preview | Southend United (A)

19 April 2024

Southend United vs Rochdale AFC | Vanarama National League, Saturday 20th April, Roots Hall, 12.15pm Kick-Off

Dale's final match of the season sees us travel to Southend United.

Read all of the pre-match build-up ahead of our trip below.

EARLY KICK-OFF

The match will begin at the earlier time of 12.15pm this weekend, along with all other National League games.

ADMISSION DETAILS

Tickets must be purchased from Southend's Ticket Office on matchday. Click HERE for full details.

PRE-MATCH

Jimmy McNulty wants Dale to maintain their competitive edge right up until the final whistle of the season.

Click HERE to read what he said on the game.

THE OPPOSITION

Southend are on a 15 match unbeaten run that stretches back to February.

That form has seen them rise to eighth in the table. Had they not been deducted ten points back in August, they would be sitting in fourth.

Following FC Halifax Town's result on Thursday, the Shrimpers go into the game still in with a chance of making the National League playoffs. A win for them, coupled with defeats for Halifax and Aldershot Town, would see them take seventh spot.

Their top scorer is Harry Cardwell with 18 goals. The striker scored twice against Dale in the reverse fixture between the sides in September, which ended 2-2.

GROUND GUIDE

For a guide to visiting Roots Hall, check out Southend's website.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

This will be the 57th meeting between the clubs. There have been 17 wins for Dale, 24 for Southend, and 15 draws.

Our last meeting at Roots Hall saw us run out 3-0 winners, with three superb team goals, back in August 2019. Check out the goals from that game below.

FLASHBACK

MAN IN THE MIDDLE

Paul Johnson will be the referee for Saturday’s game.

Robert Evans and Daniel Woolley are the assistant referees, with Luke Scott as the fourth official.

FOLLOW THE ACTION

All supporters are able to watch the match via the National League TV platform. Click HERE for full details.

There will also be live updates via the club’s official Twitter account.

Match Previews

Match Reports

Report | Southend United 1-2 Dale

20 April 2024

Dale ended the 2023/24 season with three points thanks to a 2-1 win at Southend United.

The hosts took an early lead, but Cian Hayes levelled matters before the break.

Devante Rodney’s 91^st minute winner ended Southend’s 15-match unbeaten run and ensured a final day win for Jimmy McNulty’s men.

He made three changes from the midweek draw at home to Boreham Wood. Tiernan Brooks replaced Jacob Chapman in goal, with Hayes and Sam Mather replacing Tyrese Sinclair and D’Mani Mellor. First-year scholar Corey Edwards was named on the substitute’s bench.

The hosts, needing a win and other results to go their way in order to make the playoffs, took an eighth-minute lead.

Jack Bridge’s cross from the left found its way to the back post, where Gus Scott-Morriss turned home from close range.

The Shrimpers sent two efforts over the bar in the minutes that followed through Danny Waldron and Bridge, before Hayes saw an effort deflected narrowly wide for Dale.

Harvey Gilmour was forced off just shy of the half-hour mark through injury with 16-year-old Edwards taking his place.

Dale, ending the half strongly, had a Rodney effort blocked and hit the underside of the crossbar through Hayes. He showed quick feet in the area and saw his effort bounce off the woodwork and onto the line before being claimed by Southend goalkeeper Collin Andeng Ndi.

However, Hayes wasn’t to be denied four minutes before the break, when he pounced on a poor touch from a Southend defender, rounded the goalkeeper, and slotted home into the empty net.

Ethan Ebanks-Landell headed wide in added time of the first half, whilst Rodney curled a left foot effort narrowly over after the break.

Kairo Mitchell shot wide from the edge of the area after a good through ball from Rodney, whilst Harry Cardwell headed off target at the other end.

Ian Henderson came off the bench with 17 minutes to play and had a poked effort at goal blocked before Rodney sent a shot on the turn wide.

Noor Husin and Callum Powell fired over for the hosts as they looked to finish the season 16 games unbeaten, but that run would come to an end.

Henderson picked the ball up on the halfway line and played a perfectly weighted through ball for Rodney, who coolly finished past the advancing goalkeeper in added time, sealing a final day win for Dale.

Dale XI | Brooks, Gordon, East, Ebanks-Landell ©, Mitchell (73’ Henderson), Rodney, Nevett, Hayes, Sassi, Gilmour (28’ Edwards), Mather (62’ Mellor).

Unused subs | John, Keohane.

Standings