Dale ran out 3-0 winners over Lincoln City in the EFL Youth Alliance Cup on Tuesday.
Early first-half goals from Anisio Jesus and Jordan Scanlon, followed by a second-half goal from Max Sutton, sealed three points in the second group match.
The opener came after just ten minutes, when Jesus picked up a loose ball in the Imps’ area, created a yard of space and fired into the bottom corner from 12-yards.
Dale doubled the lead just five minutes later when Jesper Laurence’s long throw caused panic in the Lincoln area, with the ball falling for Scanlon who calmly slotted into the bottom corner.
Another long throw from Laurence was partially cleared as far as Scanlon, who sent a volley wide, before Scanlon turned provider for Jesus, but his shot was well blocked.
Scanlon’s pressure on the goalkeeper led to a chance for Jadel Yaduat who had a shot saved by the goalkeeper, before Scanlon and Jesus’ follow-ups were well blocked.
Goalkeeper Brad Kelly was called into action before the break, saving Tamo Tucker’s one-on-one effort, with a follow up effort blocked.
After the interval, Ethan Brierley had a free-kick well saved and Scanlon fired off target from distance, before Dale added a third.
A Laurence long-throw was cleared as far as Sutton who fired a stinging first-time effort goalwards. The strike took a slight deflection but left the goalkeeper with no chance.
Scanlon, Jesus and Laurence all had efforts at goal for Dale towards the end of the game, whilst Kelly made a couple of good saves from Mekhi Angol and Tucker.
Scanlon had an effort well saved after being found by substitute Kamoy McNair and Ben Kershaw tried his luck from distance with the goalkeeper off his line, with Dale comfortably seeing out the game.
The win moves Dale to the top of northern Group 5, level on points with Grimsby Town, who Dale play in the final game a week on Saturday.
Dale XI | Kelly, Cunningham, Sutton, Kershaw, Laurence, Mialkowski, Kyffin, Brierley, Yaduat, Scanlon, Jesus.
Subs | Craven, Watts, Ehimamiegho, McNair.