Preview | Eastleigh (H)

18 August 2023

Rochdale AFC vs Eastleigh | Vanarama National League, Saturday 19th August, Crown Oil Arena, 3pm Kick-Off

Dale return to the Crown Oil Arena this weekend, as Eastleigh come to town.

Get ready for the game by reading all of the pre-match build-up below.

MATCHDAY GUIDE

Coming to Saturday’s game? Check out all of the information you need to make the most of your visit HERE.

INTERVIEWS

Kairo Mitchell was on pre-match press duties. He says the squad believe in the way they play and that they should have more points from our opening three games.

Click HERE to watch his interview in full, or HERE to read what he had to say.

THE OPPOSITION

This is Eastleigh’s tenth consecutive season at National League level following their promotion in 2014.

The Spitfires finished ninth last season, missing out on a playoff spot by just four points.

They have added 11 new faces to the squad, which includes a lot of EFL experience, with the likes of midfielders Jake Taylor and Enzio Boldewijn.

Former Sunderland man Chris Maguire also joined in the summer, as did striker Scott Quigley, who was on loan with Dale last season.

Lee Bradbury’s side have started the season with three consecutive draws, including fighting back from 3-0 down at half-time against Barnet on Tuesday to draw 3-3.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

This will be the first ever meeting between the two sides.

MAN IN THE MIDDLE

Jason Richardson will be the referee for Saturday’s game. It is his second season at National League level.

Zharir Mustafa and Mark Ryder are assistant referees, with Mark Hanson as fourth official.

FOLLOW THE ACTION

Those fans based in the UK & Ireland can listen to live match commentary, whilst overseas supporters can watch live 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 | Dale 2-0 Eastleigh

19 August 2023

First-half goals from Ian Henderson and Kairo Mitchell secured a comfortable victory for Dale at home to Eastleigh.

Henderson put Dale ahead inside ten minutes, before Mitchell scored a wonder goal on the stroke of half-time, in a game Dale thoroughly dominated.

Jimmy McNulty made two changes from Tuesday night’s game at Woking, as Cameron John and Ian Henderson both returned to the starting line-up.

Dale controlled possession from the outset and that play was rewarded inside ten minutes, when Henderson scored his 138^th goal for the Club.

Ryan East, making his home debut, saw a shot from 25-yards parried by Eastleigh goalkeeper Joe McDonnell. It fell for Jimmy Keohane who fired across goal to the back post, where Dale’s all-time leading goalscorer converted from close range.

Harvey Gilmour and Tyrese Sinclair both sent efforts from outside the area narrowly wide for Dale, whilst at the other end some strong defending from Ethan Ebanks-Landell and Cameron John prevented the visitors from finding a route to goal.

Mitchell had a golden opportunity to double the lead as the first-half entered stoppage time, but his effort from close range was denied by a fantastic save from McDonnell.

However, the Dale man netted his second in as many games moments later, with a stunner.

He received it with his back to goal 30-yards out before turning and unleashing a beauty into the top corner, leading McDonnell with no chance this time.

After the break, Dale continued to assert their dominance. Sinclair saw a shot turned wide of the post by the goalkeeper, who then denied Mitchell grabbing a second with his legs, after Gilmour found him with a through ball.

McDonnell was again on hand to deny Dale just before the hour mark, turning John’s first time effort on to the face of the upright with an outstretched foot.

At the other end, Louie Moulden was called into action, comfortably holding Chris Maguire’s free-kick, before Enzio Boldweijn headed wide.

Dale controlled possession until the end with Keohane seeing an effort wide with the final chance of the game.

Dale XI | Moulden, John (77’ Oduroh), East, Ebanks-Landell ©, Sinclair (68’ Afuye), Clayton, Mitchell, Keohane, Gilmour (89’ McDermott), Ferguson, Henderson.

Unused subs | Rodney, Nevett.

Standings