Rochdale were 3-1 winners over Oldham Athletic in Tuesday’s Manchester Senior Cup tie at Chapel Road.
It was a game in which Dale were in control for the majority, and in the 22nd minute Rochdale took the lead thanks to an own goal - Latics’ Carl Winchester sending the ball beyond his own ‘keeper following a corner.
Rochdale had been applying the pressure before the goal, with Callum Camps and Joe Bunney both having efforts saved by Paul Rachubka, and Shaquille Antoine-Clarke smashing a shot into the side netting.
Dale were quick to double their advantage, as Graham Cummins added his name to the score sheet two minutes later.
George Porter had crossed for Camps, whose volley was denied by Rachubka and Cummins was quick to respond to strike beyond the ‘keeper on the re-bound.
The Latics halved the deficit in the 36th minute following a free-kick. ‘Keeper Robbie Thomson kept out the set-piece, but spilled the effort to allow Winchester to take advantage.
HT: Oldham Atheltic 1-2 Rochdale
Rochdale dominated the second half, but were forced to be patient as they looked to carve an opening against a strong and physical Latics side.
Opportunities had presented themselves as Joe Bunney hit over from 20 yards and Cummins’ shot-come-cross across the face of goal was hooked away, and it was against the run of play that the home side came close to levelling the scoring.
In the 73rd minute an alert Thomson did well to send a Latics effort round the upright after a short free-kick routine had allowed Oldham to get a powerful shot away.
Five minutes later and Latics ‘keeper Rachubka again denied Camps, this time getting two hands behind an effort at his near post to send it behind.
Rochdale continued to look the mostly to score and they netted a deserved third of the afternoon with just minutes left to play after a Porter pass sent Bunney in on goal.
Dale finished runners up in the group to Manchester City, who will now face Manchester United in the final of the competition.
FT: Oldham Athletic 1-3 Rochdale
Dale: Thomson, Rafferty, O’Connor, BBM, Antoine-Clarke, Porter, Trialist, Hery, Camps, Bunney, Cummins. Subs: Collis, Cannon, Whitehall, Tuanzebe, Martin.
Oldham: Rachubka, Gosset, Mellor, Belezika, Clarke, Rodgers, Kissock, Winchester, Bove, Millar, Byrnes. Subs: Coleman, Edmundson, Kinder, Foulds, Hardman.