Rochdale began their 2020/21 Sky Bet League One campaign away at Swindon Town on Saturday.
The Robins were 3-1 winners over Dale, having opened a three goal lead before half-time, thanks to goals from Tyler Smith, Anthony Grant and Matt Smith.
Jimmy Keohane pulled one back for Brian Barry-Murphy’s side in stoppage time.
There was one change to the side that lined-up against Huddersfield Town in last weekend’s Carabao Cup tie against Huddersfield Town, as Matty Lund came in for Jimmy Ryan. Stephen Humphrys, who joined Dale a on a two-year-deal on Friday, was ineligible for the game.
The hosts took the lead after four minutes, when former Rochdale loanee Smith fired into the bottom corner, after a corner ball into the area fell kindly for him.
Jack Payne sent a ferocious dipping effort just over, before having a low shot well held by Gavin Bazunu.
Matty Done had Dale’s first shot on goal, firing over from 25-yards. Matty Lund, also, struck over from distance, while Paul McShane headed wide of the target from an Aaron Morley corner.
In the 33rd minute, the Robins doubled their advantage. Diallang Jaiyesimi delivered a cross to the far post, where Grant nodded home.
They extended their lead further four minutes before the break. Matt Smith won the ball high up the pitch and found the far corner from just outside the area.
HT | SWINDON TOWN 3-0 ROCHDALE
Jonny Smith had a low effort held by Bazunu at the near post, as the hosts tested first after the break.
Rochdale’s first substation of the game followed shortly after the hour, when Fabio Tavares replaced Morley. The forward, soon after his introduction, curled an effort narrowly over the bar from 20-yards after being played in by Rathbone. Rathbone had a shot held moments later, when he fired low towards the far corner.
Stephen Dooley made way for Kwadwo Baah in the 73rd minute, in Dale’s second change of the match.
Bazunu showed a strong hand to pull off a great save to deny Jonny Smith at the near post, as it looked like Swindon might extend their lead further with nine minutes left to play.
In stoppage time, Rochdale pulled one back through Jimmy Keohane, after good work from Baah. The youngster drilled the ball across goal and Keohane struck home at the back post, to net his first goal for the Club.
FT | SWINDOWN TOWN 3-1 ROCHDALE