Preview: Dale v Blackburn Rovers

8 September 2017

Dale v Blackburn Rovers: Sky Bet League One, Saturday 9th September, 3pm Kick-Off

Dale welcome former Premier League winners Blackburn Rovers to the Crown Oil Arena on Saturday.

Keith Hill’s men have kept successive clean sheets in two goalless draws going into the game, with last Saturday’s point at Southend well-earned after playing the majority of the second half with ten men.

Rovers, relegated from the Championship last season, lost their opening two league matches, but secured back-to-back victories in the league since then. Their game against Fleetwood Town last weekend was postponed due to Rovers’ three international call-ups.

PRE-MATCH INTERVIEW

Keith Hill has been on pre-match press duties ahead of the game against Rovers: “There’s no fear, absolutely none, and we’re looking forward to the challenges."

Read The Gaffer's full pre-match interview HERE.

ADMISSION INFORMATION

The match is ALL TICKET. Home fans can purchase tickets on the day of the game, by visiting the RAFC Ticket Office.

Visit www.rafctickets.co.uk to purchase yours online, or pop into to the Ticket Office in person, which is open until 7pm on Friday 8th September. The Ticket Office is also open from 9am on Saturday. We urge fans to buy as soon as possible to avoid queues.

Click HERE for matchday admission prices.

REF WATCH

Referee: Stephen Martin

Assistant Referees: David Avent & Mark Jones

Fourth Official: Ricky Wooton

PRE-MATCH

The Ratcliffe Bars, situated on the Crown Oil Arena car park, opens at 11am on Saturday, with visiting supporters also welcome. Click HERE for full details on opening times.

Youngster can meet the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles before the match, where youngsters can make their own TMNT masks! Visit the Carlsberg Lounge from inside the Pearl Street Stand from 2pm onwards. Click HERE for more details.

FIRST TIME VISITOR

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

FLASHBACK

The last time the two sides met at the Crown Oil Arena in competitive action was in August 2000. A last gasp equaliser from Tony Ellis sealed a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the League Cup first round.

Nathan Blake put the First Division side ahead just before the hour mark, but Ellis’ dramatic injury time header earned Dale a draw.

Starting XI: Edwards, Evans, Hill, Bayliss, Todd, Oliver, Ware, Flitcroft, Ford, Platt, Ellis

Club News

TVOS Preview: Blackburn Rovers (H)

7 September 2017

MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

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

Matty Done is the cover star, and there is a pull-out poster of Done 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 19/10 to record victory over Blackburn 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 0-3 Blackburn Rovers

9 September 2017

Rochdale were beaten 3-0 by a clinical Blackburn Rovers at the Crown Oil Arena.

Richie Smallwood opened the scoring with a fine volley after ten minutes, before Marcus Antonsson doubled the visitors’ lead shortly before the hour mark.

MJ Williams hit the crossbar with a thunderous effort as Dale searched for a route back into the game, substitute Danny Graham added a third late on to wrap up the scoring.

Keith Hill made three changes to the side that drew at Southend United last time out, as Steven Davies, Joe Bunney and deadline day loan signing Donervon Daniels all started. Club Captain Ian Henderson missed the game through suspension, after the Club’s appeal against his red card at Roots Hall failed.

The visitors broke the deadlock in the 10^th minute, with a finely taken finish. Elliott Bennett’s right-wing cross dropped around the penalty spot, allowing Smallwood to run onto it and crash home a sweetly struck volley into the bottom corner.

Davies sent a free-kick high and wide as Dale looked to hit back immediately, and they more than matched Rovers throughout the opening period.

Antonsson curled an effort wide of the far post for the visitors, whilst Rovers skipper Craig Conway forced Brendan Moore into a low save.

Jordan Williams fired wide from outside the area on the stroke of half-time for Dale with the final effort of the half.

The visitors created the opening chance of the second half, when Antonssen’s back post header needed to be saved by Moore.

Antonssen wasn’t to be denied just before the hour mark as he doubled Rovers’ lead. Bennett’s header hit a Dale defender and fell perfectly for Antonssen, who calmly stroked past Moore.

Andy Cannon had a strong effort deflected wide, whilst MJ Williams stunning first time effort took a deflection and struck the top of the crossbar.

Williams (11) and Mark Kitching were replaced by Ollie Rathbone and Bradden Inman as Dale looked for a goal that would get them back in the game.

However, it was Rovers who scored the next goal, sealing their victory. Substitute Harry Chapaman overran a ball in the area, allowing Moore to come out and collect. However, the Dale stopper spilled the ball into the path of Graham, who stroked home into the empty net.

Matthew Gillam replaced Davies in the final ten minutes with Dale’s final chance, as Bunney and Graham exchanged efforts off-target as the game entered stoppage time.

Done had Dale’s final effort of the game, when his effort was cleared off the line from Bunney’s pull back.

Standings

TVOS Preview: Blackburn Rovers (H)