Rochdale completed their pre-season programme with a victory over Championship side Burnley at Spotland on Tuesday evening.
In an impressive display, Dele Adebola, Ashley Grimes, and Ray Putterill all netted in the 3-1 win.
Adebola, who penned a one-year deal, just an hour before kick-off, got his time at Spotland off to a dream start with a goal after five minutes.
The experienced forward netted after a good piece of attacking play. Ashley Grimes who was outside of the 18 yards box played in the onrunning Kevin McIntyre who had got himself down the wing and into a good position to take the ball past his marker, roll the ball across the face of goal for the awaiting Adebola who slotted the ball into the back of the net from seven yards out to mark his home debut with a goal.
In what was a high tempo start to the match, Burnley had an effort just a minute after Dale took the lead. Danny Ings attempted to chip ‘keeper Josh Lillis after powering through on goal, his shot over dipped just over the cross bar.
Dale were the better of the two sides during the opening period and looked threatening going forward. On eight minutes Skipper Peter Cavanagh was the next player to have a crack at goal, hitting a dipping effort towards the target. It went just over the bar.
Grimes, whose work-rate was once again excellent, threatened just minutes before adding Dale’s second of the night.
Tutte’s shot-come-pass landed perfectly in the path of Grimes who struck it on the half volley, in the end it was a comfortable save for goalkeeper Lee Grant.
Grimes was never shy of the action in the first half, and following another great attacking move from back to front, he doubled the lead on 26 minutes.
Dale broke at speed as Cavanagh moved from inside his own half forward. He played a well-timed pass through towards the on running George Donnelly. Donnelly placed it perfectly for Grimes who had made his way into a dangerous position, before slotting it past the ‘keeper and into the back of the net to give Dale a deserved 2-0 lead.
Just after the hour mark, Rochdale’s fast free flowing football again led to Grimes having an effort at goal after great link up play from McIntyre and Cavanagh.
As the game approached at half time, Burnley showed flashes of what they are capable of, but without causing too much trouble for Lillis. Wallace had a shot a goal as they looked to pull one back, but it went wide of the target.
Manager John Coleman made one substitution at the interval with debutant Adebola making way for Ray Putterill.
It was a slow start to after the break in comparison to the first half, with both teams enjoying the passing game.
After the hour mark, Coleman made a double substitution with Grimes and Cavanagh making way for trialists Craig Curran and Sean McConville respectively.
With the new additions, Dale once again began to take control of the game and looked dangerous in their forward play.
And on 67 minutes Rochdale were rewarded for efforts as substitute Putterill netted the third of the evening.
The pacey midfielder who was a handful for the Clarets defenders lifted the ball over Grant and into the back of the net to give Dale a comfortable 3-0 lead.
Just a minute later and Jason Kennedy almost made it four as he tested Grant who had come off his line. The ‘keeper was forced to dive the length of his goal to keep the effort out.
On 70 minutes, Matty Pearson came close to adding his name to the scoresheet following a well placed through ball from substitute Ian Craney across the face of goal. The 19 year-old, who had travelled the length of the pitch to make himself available, slid in with an outstretched foot but failed to make enough of a connection with the ball to turn it into the net.
Against the run of play Burnley pulled one back with just over five minutes of time remaining when Shackle bundled the ball into the back of the net.
But there was never any question that the home side would allow the Clarets back into the game, and as the clock ticked towards full time, Dale again pushed forward. Pearson, who was lively all night, caught out
Grant as his cross dipped awkwardly towards goal, forcing him to tip the effort up and over the bar.
It finished Rochdale 3, Burnley 1.