npower League Two: Torquay United v Rochdale
Proact Stadium, Saturday 25st August, 3pm kick-off
Dale are back on the road this weekend with a trip to the English Riviera. The squad set off on the near 280 mile trip to Torquay this morning in preparation for Saturday’s npower League Two fixture against The Gulls at Plainmoor.
The match marks the third fixture in the space of a week for Rochdale, and the second trip this week, following Tuesday night’s disappointing draw away at Chesterfield.
Andrew Tutte fired Dale ahead with a wonder strike from distance shortly after the interval, but a last minute equaliser from Jack Lester saw the spoils shared at the Proact Stadium.
Like Dale, Torquay also head into the encounter following a mid-week draw. The Gulls were denied their first home win of the new season after Cheltenham Town’s Zebroski’s netted ten minutes from time to secure a point in a 2-2 draw at Plainmoor.
John Coleman remains without the injured trio of of Matty Edwards (wrist), Reece Gray (ankle) and Luke Watson (knee) for the encounter, while Gulls Manager Martin Ling has his own injury worries. Saul Halpin, Damon Lathorpe and Lloyd Macklin are all expected to miss the match.
This weekend’s fixture marks the first visit to Torquay for Rochdale in over two years - the last outing at Plainmoor was on April 10th 2010. Dale fans travelled in their numbers that day in the hope of seeing their side make history. Keith Hill, who was in charge at the time, took his side to Torquay knowing that a win, coupled with other results, could be enough to seal promotion to League One. Torquay emerged 5-0 winners on the day, but Dale of course went on to win promotion a week later.
Match officials
Referee - Gavin Ward
Andrew Bennett and Kevin Johnson
Fourth official – Mark Russell