Rochdale cruised into the second round of the FA Youth Cup on Wednesday night with a 6-2 win over Warrington Town.
Quality goals from Billy Hasler-Cregg, Callum Camps, Connor Martin and Danny Whitehall ensured victory on a wet and windy night at the HG Driver Recruitment Stadium.
Rick Ashcroft named one under 16 in the starting eleven, as Louis Coyne partnered Omar Sinclair in the centre of defence. There was also room for fellow school boys Connor Ronan and Jonny Diba on the bench.
minute through a long range effort from Hasler-Cregg, who found the top corner of the net, after Andy Cannon had been denied by the cross bar.thAfter a dominant display during the opening exchanges, Dale opened the scoring in the 20
Cannon had struck the woodwork with a powerful effort, which re-bounded back into play, and after Rochdale reacted quickly to keep the pressure on the home side, the ball fell to Hasler-Cregg 35 yards from goal and he lofted it over the ‘keeper to score his first goal for the club.
Dale’s second followed ten minutes later through what appeared to be an own goal, although striker Whitehall is claiming he got the decisive touch as it crept in at the near post.
Rochdale were in control and they extended their lead further through Camps, who netted twice in the space of four minutes.
His first was a quality chip over the ‘keeper from the edge of the area, while he coolly slotted the ball into the back of the net from close range for his second.
The home side pulled one back from the penalty spot three minutes from the interval. Warrington Town’s Bruce fired straight down the middle.
HT: Warrington Town 1-4 Rochdale
minute as he headed home from the back post.rdCaptain Connor Martin netted Dale’s fifth of the night just two minutes after the re-start as he lifted the ball up and over the ‘keeper and into the top corner of the net from the edge of the 18 yard box, and Whitehall made it six in the 53
Despite the scoreline, the home side refused to let their heads drop and they made Rochdale dig deep for much of the second half, without causing too much trouble. They reduced the deficit with the final goal of the game shortly after the hour mark.
FT: Warrington Town 2-6 Rochdale
Rochdale face either Crewe Alexandra or Coventry City at Spotland in the second round of the competition. A date has yet to be confirmed.