Preview | Bristol Rovers (A)

21 April 2019

Bristol Rovers v Rochdale | Memorial Ground, Sky Bet League One, Easter Monday (22nd) April 2019, 3pm Kick-Off

Dale round off their Easter weekend with a trip to Bristol Rovers’ Memorial Ground on Monday.

Victory over Wycombe Wanderers on Good Friday moved Dale into 17^th position, three points clear of the relegation zone.

Rovers picked up a point at AFC Wimbledon, moving them to 50 points and 14^th in the table, two points clear of Dale.

PRE-MATCH INTERVIEW

Dale manager Brian Barry-Murphy says he has no problem with making changes to his side for the trip.

Click HERE to read what he had to say.

ADMISSION DETAILS

Supporters who didn’t purchase a ticket in advance can pay on the day at Bristol Rovers. Click HERE for full details.

MEMORIAL GROUND

For a guide to Bristol Rovers’ Memorial Ground, click HERE to visit their official website.

MATCH ODDS

Sky Bet are offering odds of 12/5 for a Dale victory on Monday. Click HERE for the full betting preview.

Make sure you select Rochdale as your favourite team on your Sky Bet profile, as Dale will receive 50% of any losing stake!

REF WATCH

Referee | Craig Hicks

Assistant Referees | Christopher Husband & Ollie Williams

Fourth Official | Samuel Ogles

FLASHBACK

Dale’s last visit to Bristol Rovers on an Easter Monday proved to be a memorable one.

Click HERE to watch highlights from our 2-1 win in April 2014, which all-but secured promotion to League One.

HEAD TO HEAD

Bristol Rovers	Draws	Dale
6	17	12

WE’VE GOT IT COVERED

Fans in the UK can listen to match audio commentary on iFollow, whilst overseas supporters can watch the match live! The programme will start at 2.45pm.

Click HERE to subscribe to iFollow or purchase a match pass.

To access commentary/watch live via your desktop, click on the 'iFollow' tab on our navigation bar. Hover over the 'More' tab and more selections will appear, which is where the 'iFollow' tab is located. Once you’ve clicked through, a link will appear on the left-hand side of the page for you to access the commentary. This will appear on the site around half an hour before kick-off.

We will be tweeting live updates from the match and will go behind-the-scenes with our Instagram Story feature. Follow @officiallydale (Twitter and Instagram).

Match Previews

Match Reports

Report | Bristol Rovers 0-1 Dale

22 April 2019

Ethan Hamilton’s 81^st minute goal secured a huge three points in a 1-0 victory at Bristol Rovers on Easter Monday.

The on-loan Manchester United man struck late on to lift Dale on to 51 points, five points clear of the relegation zone with two games remaining.

Brian Barry-Murphy made four changes to his starting eleven from Good Friday’s win over Wycombe Wanderers.

Jimmy Keohane, MJ Williams, Stephen Dooley and Hamilton came in for Ryan McLaughlin, Kgosi Ntlhe, Ollie Rathbone and Matty Done.

In an even first-half of few chances, Jim McNulty blocked well and Jonson Clarke-Harris fired over for the hosts.

Ian Henderson sent a curling first-time effort narrowly wide of the upright from the edge of the area before Hamilton tried his luck from the same distance, but fired his effort straight at Rovers stopper Jack Bonham.

The Gas’ best chance came when Liam Sercombe picked up on a loose pass out, rounded Ethan Ebanks-Landell, but fired wide of the far post, befre Ed Upson sent an effort wide from 20-yards.

Dale created the first chance of the second-half when Aaron Wilbraham nodded down Hamilton’s cross into the path of Dooley, who scuffed a half volley wide of the far post.

Lillis made a strong stop to deny Clarke-Harris after he had brought down a diagonal ball well, before the Rovers forward headed wide a back-post cross.

Henderson and Sercombe exchanged efforts off target, before Dale grabbed the all-important goal with nine minutes remaining.

Bunney sent a cross to the back post where Henderson kept it alive, rolling the back for Hamilton who sent a looping effort into the far corner.

Clarke-Harris fired an effort well over before superb defending from Ebanks-Landell kept the home side at bay.

Substitute Rekeil Pyke shot wide after a counter-attack, and despite late pressure from the hosts, Dale held out for what could prove to be a defining win.

Rochdale AFC

Standings

Preview | Bristol Rovers (A)

Report | Bristol Rovers 0-1 Dale