npower League Two: Rochdale v Southend United
Spotland, Saturday 23rd March, 3pm kick-off
Rochdale are back in action at Spotland this Saturday for their second home game of the week following Tuesday night’s encounter against league leaders Gillingham.
Paul Sturrock’s Southend United head to Spotland after a 2-0 home defeat to Plymouth Argyle midweek, while Dale go into the match following the 1-1 draw against the Gills.
The Shrimpers currently sit 8th in the table on 55 points, six points outside the promotion places following a run which has seen them win one of the their last five matches.
Dale will be looking to extend their recent run of home form which has seen the side lose just one match at Spotland since Keith Hill’s return to the club.
Three key players will be missing for Dale for the visit of the promotion chasers – Rhys Bennett (knee), Terry Gornell (groin) and Andrew Tutte (knee).
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.