npower League Two: Rochdale v Gillingham
Spotland, Tuesday 19th March, 7.45pm kick-off
Rochdale welcome league leaders Gillingham to Spotland this Tuesday night in the re-arranged match from January. The original fixture was postponed due to a frozen pitch despite huge efforts from the Dale ground staff to get the game on.
The match against the Gills marks the first of three consecutive home games for Rochdale during the remainder of this month as Southend United (Saturday 23rd March) and Aldershot Town (Friday 29th March) pay a visit to Spotland.
Keith Hill’s side head into the fixture on the back of Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Bristol Rovers, while Tuesday night’s opponents were held to a 1-1 draw at Morecambe’s Globe Arena.
Martin Allen’s men, who sit top of the division on 71 points, have been beaten just once on the road this season - their only defeat was against Torquay United back in October.
Dale will be without the injured Rhys Bennett who picked up a knee injury during the weekend’s match at the Memorial Stadium.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Mark Haywood
Assistant referees: Darren Handley and Robert Jones
Fourth official: Paul Marsden
LAST MEETING
September 29th 2012: Gillingham 1-2 Rochdale
Rochdale inflicted the first defeat of the season on league leaders Gillingham with a 2-1 win over the Gills at Priestfield in September. Goals from Andrew Tutte (15 mins) and Bobby Grant (59 mins) ensured a third consecutive away win for Dale following victories over AFC Wimbledon and Rotherham United.
Team line-ups on the day:
Rochdale: Lillis, Rafferty, Bennett, R Edwards, Pearson, P Edwards, Tutte, Kennedy, Donnelly, Grant, Adebola. Subs: Smith, Byrne, BBM, Grimes, Putterill, Craney, Curran.
Gillingham: Nelson, Fish, Martin, Flanagan, Barrett, Whelpdale, Jackman, Montrose, Wright, Burton, Findley. Subs: Forecast, Frampton, Davies, Allen, Weston, Kedwell, Strevens.
You can read the full match report from the last meeting between the two teams HERE.
Listen to Hilly’s pre-match interview on Dale Player for free thanks to our free 14 day trial. Log in or sign up HERE now.
The match is part of our March 3 for 2 ticket offer. Find out more HERE.