Ian Henderson’s brace either side of half-time guided Dale to a first home league victory of the season, beating Accrington Stanley 2-1.
His first-half rebounded finish, after ‘keeper Dimitar Evtimov spilled from an Ollie Rathbone strike, coupled with an audacious chip from outside the area rewarded Dale with all three points.
Henderson was pleased to grab a second consecutive brace and praised the team’s resolve to hold out against their local rivals.
He said: “The goals are obviously nice, on a personal level, but it is more about picking up three points and picking up momentum at home.
“I’m really pleased for the team and myself for scoring the goals.
“We knew the game was going to be difficult against Accrington. The games against them over the years have always been notoriously difficult.
“They have a certain style in the way that they play. They make it difficult for you and we needed to get the first goal.
“I practise the technique in training with the goalkeeping coach [Steve Collis]. It is a technique and skill to be able to time your run as someone is shooting towards goal.
“You have to think fast about what technique to use in front of goal. Thankfully I used the right one in lifting it high into the roof of the net.
“Then we got the second. I do like scoring chips! When it leaves your foot, you know it’s going in.
“I knew where Dan the cameraman was and I ran straight over to him to celebrate.
“That is up there with one of the best goals I have scored for the Club.
“I thought we would go on to get more but their left winger scored an unbelievable goal. I was behind it and it moved left and right, up and down – it was a sensational strike.
“We were on the back foot towards the end of the game but we were really happy to close off the game and get all three points.”
The arrival of Paul McShane, assisted by Matty Done and Eoghan O’Connell’s return from injuries lightened the heavy fitness burden placed on the side.
But Henderson has seen the positives of how a smaller squad has allowed the likes of Luke Matheson, Aaron Morley and Fabio Tavares to develop further this season.
“We knew that would be the case from the beginning of the season because we have gone in with a smaller squad.
“There are opportunities for the younger players coming through who are being bedded in, stepping up and have the chance to fight for the jersey.
“I have huge admiration for all of the young players – especially those who want to play upfront and score.
“Fabio is similar to myself in terms of running in behind, wanting to penetrate and score goals.
“He asked me about scoring rebounds and we have worked on that in training – timing of runs and what techniques to use.
“It is something we continue to work on each week to help him, and the other young players, progress as much as possible.”
Watch the full interview with the Dale skipper HERE.