npower League Two: Rochdale v Bradford City
Spotland, Tuesday 2nd October, 7.45pm kick-off
Rochdale’s busy schedule of five games in a fortnight continues on Tuesday night with the visit of Bradford City to Spotland.
Dale head into encounter in positive mood following Saturday’s 2-1 win over league leaders Gillingham.
Goals from Andrew Tutte and Bobby Grant made it three consecutive wins on the road for John Coleman’s side and ended the Gills eight game unbeaten run. The victory propelled Dale into the play-off places for the first time this season.
Bradford, who are a point and a place ahead of Rochdale in the table, fell to their first home league defeat at the weekend after going down 1-0 at home to Port Vale.
The visit of Bradford will see the return of several familiar faces to Spotland as the Bantams arrive with former Dale skipper Gary Jones, defenders Stephen Darby and Rory McArdle and winger Will Atkinson. Former
Rochdale Manager Steve Parkin, who had two stints as Dale boss, will be in the away dugout as he takes his place alongside Bradford’s Phil Parkinson.
Match officials
Referee – James Adcock
Assistant referees – Ross Joyce and Matthew Parry
Fourth Official – Christopher Kavanagh
Last meeting
Saturday 12th November 2011: Bradford 1-0 Rochdale
The two teams met in the first round of the FA Cup last November. A late wonder strike from Nahki Wells at Valley Parade saw the Bantams progress to the next round of the competition with a 1-0 win.