npower League Two: Rochdale v Southend United
Spotland, Wednesday 10th April, 7.45pm kick-off
Rochdale welcome Southend United to Spotland this Wednesday evening in the re-arranged fixture from last month. The original match, which had been scheduled for March 23rd, was postponed due to the adverse weather conditions.
The match marks the first of three remaining home games for Dale this season with Port Vale and Plymouth Argyle still to come before the end of the campaign.
Keith Hill’s side head into the encounter against the Shrimpers buoyed by a positive week on the pitch after picking up maximum points from the outings against Exeter City (Monday) and Fleetwood Town (Saturday).
Goals from Ian Henderson, George Donnelly and Jason Kennedy against the Cod Army saw Dale take another step towards league safety following another dominant and confident display.
The result means Dale have lost just one of their last seven matches and are now eight points clear of the relegation zone. Wednesday night’s opponents are three points and four places better off in the table (12th), but have played a game less than Rochdale following their outing against Crewe Alexandra in the final of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy on Sunday. The Alex were 2-0 winners on the day.
Southend have appointed a new manager since the original fixture date with Phil Brown taking over from Paul Sturrock. Brown has taken charge of two league matches since being appointed, both of which have ended in a score draw. His side recorded a 2-2 draw away at Bradford on Good Friday before taking a point in a 1-1 draw at home to Fleetwood Town on Easter Monday.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Craig Pawson
Assistant referees: Tony Peart and Bob Roberts
Fourth official: Ryan Johnson
LAST MEETING
November 24th 2012: Southend United 3-1 Rochdale
Rochdale squandered a one nil lead at Roots Hall when the two sides met in November and slipped out of the promotion play-off places. Terry Gornell gave Dale the perfect to start to the second half with a goal five minutes after the interval, but Rochdale’s lead was short-lived as the home side netted twice in quick succession, the first of which came just seven minutes after Gornell's opener. Marc Laird put the game to bed on 77 minutes.
Team line-ups on the day:
Rochdale: Lillis, P Edwards, R Edwards, Bennett, McIntyre, Cavanagh, Tutte, Kennedy, Grant, Gornell, Adebola. Subs: Smith, Rafferty, Pearson, Grimes, Putterill, Craney, Donnelly.
Southend United: Smith, Colhessy, Cresswell, Phillips, Barker, Mkandawire, Timlin, Hurst, Laird, Assombalonga, Tomlin. Subs: Bentley, Prosser, Martin, Spicer, Woodyward, Eastwood, Corr.
You can read the full match report from the last meeting between the two teams HERE.