Preview: Dale v Rotherham United

6 October 2017

Dale v Rotherham United: Sky Bet League One, Saturday 7th October, 3pm Kick-Off

Rochdale are back in league action on Saturday, as Rotherham United are the visitors to the Crown Oil Arena.

Dale are unbeaten in their last three Sky Bet League One matches, having kept clean sheets in each of those, while the side have now lost just once in seven games in all competitions, as well as keeping five consecutive clean sheets.

The Millers have won two of their last three league fixtures, including putting five past Oldham Athletic. They've hit five past opposition on three occasions this season.

PRE-MATCH INTERVIEW

Manager Keith Hill was on pre-match duties. Read what he had to say HERE. The full 20 minute interview is on iFollow.

M.J. Williams also spoke to the press ahead of the game. He discusses clean sheets, team spirit and the weekend's game. Read the interview HERE. Watch the full interview on iFollow.

ADMISSION INFORMATION

Supporters can pay on the day for Saturday’s game.

Don’t forget, the Main Stand is now operating an ALL TICKET RESERVED SEATING policy. Therefore, there will be no cash turnstiles in operation for the Main Stand. Tickets can be bought on the day from the RAFC Ticket Office before going to the turnstiles.

Supporters can pay cash at the turnstiles in all other areas of the Crown Oil Arena on Saturday.

Tickets can also be bought in advance. Visit www.rafctickets.co.uk to purchase yours online, or pop into to the Ticket Office in person.

Click HERE for matchday admission prices.

REF WATCH

Referee: David Coote

Assistant Referees: Shaun Hudson & Tony Peart

Fourth Official: Andrew Madley

PRE-MATCH

Bring the kids along early to our Pirates and Princess workshop, where children can make crowns and swords, and get glitter tattoos. Fancy dress is welcome! It begins at 2pm in the Carlsberg Lounge.

For full details on how to get involved, click HERE.

Meanwhile, the Ratcliffe Bars, situated on the Crown Oil Arena car park, open at 12pm on Saturday, with visiting supporters also welcome.

Click HERE for full details on opening times.

FIRST TIME VISITOR

Coming to the Crown Oil Arena for the first time? View our first-time visitor guide HERE.

FLASHBACK

Last time the two sides met came in the FA Cup second round back in December 2013.

Dale fell behind in the first half, but mounted a turnaround after the break to seal their passage through to the third round.

Lee Frecklington opened the scoring after just six minutes, but Matthew Lund equalised for Dale ten minutes into the second period.

The Millers were reduced to ten men when Michael Tidser was shown a second yellow card, and Dale took full advantage of the extra man through Peter Vincenti's winner seven minutes from time.

MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

The Voice Of Spotland, Rochdale AFC's matchday programme, returns for Saturday's match.

Bradden Inman is the cover star, and there is a pull-out poster of the forward inside to collect!

TVOS will be on sale around the ground and at the Club Shop, priced at £3.

Click HERE for the full preview.

BETTING PREVIEW

Dale are 6/4 to record victory over Rotherham United tomorrow.

Click HERE for full match odds.

WE’VE GOT IT COVERED

Fans in the UK can listen to match audio commentary on iFollow, whilst overseas fans can WATCH the match live! The programme will start at 2.55pm.

Click HERE to subscribe to iFollow.

We will also be tweeting live updates from the match.

Match Previews

Match Reports

Report: Dale 0-1 Rotherham United

7 October 2017

Rochdale were beaten 1-0 by Rotherham United at the Crown Oil Arena in a closely fought encounter.

The only goal of the match came 12 minutes after the break, when Richard Wood headed home a corner kick at the back post.

Steven Davies struck the top of the crossbar shortly afterwards, and Bradden Inman spurned Dale’s best chance in added time when he volley over Davies’ knockdown.

There were two changes from last Saturday’s goalless draw at AFC Wimbledon, as Steven Davies and Matty Done replaced Bradden Inman and Calvin Andrew.

Davies saw a header from a Donervon Daniels cross held up high, before the forward almost produced the spectacular.

He took Daniels’ throw-in on his chest, before turning and sending a volley goalwards from over 30-yards, which landed on the roof of the net.

Callum Camps sent a first time effort well over, shortly before Josh Lillis was called into action for the first time.

Will Vaulks headed a deep free-kick goalwards, and only the slightest of fingertip saves from Lillis turned the ball around the post.

Lillis was there again two minutes later, when he raced out of his goal to deny Richie Towell who had latched on to a ball over the top.

Anthony Forde scuffed an effort straight into the arms of Lillis, before Towell mishit an effort well wide as the game went into the break goalless.

The deadlock was broken 12 minutes into the second period though, when the visitors took the lead.

A controversial free-kick was mishandled behind by Lillis, and from the corner kick, Wood rose highest at the back stick to nod home the opener.

Dale were inches away from levelling matters almost instantly. Joe Bunney’s corner was met by Davies at the far post, whose header cannoned off the top of the crossbar.

Ollie Rathbone was replaced by Andrew just after the hour mark, and his first act was to head into the path of Henderson, whose flicked found Davies. However, the striker’s effort was off target.

Another Bunney corner caused problems as Henderson met it, but his goalbound header was diverted behind for another corner.

Inman and Jordan Slew replaced Camps and Done as Dale tried in earnest to find an equaliser, and Inman had a great chance in added time to do just that.

Bunney’s cross was won at the back post by Davies, nodding into the path of Inman, who sent his volley well over the crossbar.

Davies headed a Bunney corner well wide with the final chance of the match, as Rotherham took the spoils.

Standings