npower League Two: Exeter City v Rochdale
St James’ Park, Monday 1st April, 3pm kick-off
Rochdale travel to Exeter City on Easter Monday for their second fixture in the space of three days.
Dale were held to a 1-1 draw against Aldershot Town at Spotland on Good Friday and head to St James’ Park to face an Exeter side who went down 1-0 away at Plymouth Arygle on Saturday.
Despite defeat, the Grecians’ still have realistic hopes of securing a promotion play-off place as they sit 7th in the division. They are four points clear of eighth placed Fleetwood Town, although they have played a game more.
Friday’s point sees Dale remain seven points clear of bottom side Aldershot.
Match officials
Referee: Philip Gibbs
Assistant referees: Richard Hulme and Simon Knapp
Fourth Official: William Bull
Last Meeting
December 8th 2012: Rochdale 2-3 Exeter City
Exeter City were 3-2 winners when the two teams met at Spotland in December. Rochdale began the game on top, however two goals in as many minutes from the home side stunned John Coleman’s side. The Grecians opened the scoring on 24 minutes through Pat Baldwin, before John O’Flynn added a second just two minutes later. And despite Rochdale looking the better of the sides, it was the Grecians who went on to net a third before the interval – O’Flynn again with the goal (38 minutes). After the break Terry Gornell netted twice for Dale (65 and 90 minutes) but the side were unable to bag a third to secure at least a point.
Team line-ups on the day:
Rochdale: Lillis, Rafferty, R Edwards, Bennett, P Edwards, Cavanagh, Kennedy, Tutte, Donnelly, Grant, Gornell. Subs: Smith, Pearson, BBM, Grimes, Putterill, Craney, Adebola.
Exeter City: Krysiak, Tully, Woodman, Baldwin, Coles, Sercombe, Oakley, Keohane, Gow, Cureton, O’Flynn. Subs: Evans, Amankwaah, Moore-Taylor, Davies, Dawson, Chamberlain, Reid.