Dale’s under 18s came from behind to put five past Stockport County on Tuesday afternoon, in the first round of the EFL Youth Alliance Cup.
Paddy Watts netted a brace, while Paul Kyffin, Joel Street and John Dunlop also netted in the 5-1 victory.
Stockport County took the lead in the 18th minute when a shot from 20-yards struck the inside of the post, taking it beyond Lennon MacLorg.
They held their one goal advantage until half-time, after which Dale staged a brilliant comeback, scoring five.
Kyffin levelled proceedings in style, netting directly from a corner kick, three minutes after the restart, before Watts put Dale ahead four minute later. He stole in to meet a corner, heading beyond the County ‘keeper.
A third followed with 68 minutes on the clock, with Watts again scoring from a corner. He arrived at the back post and fired a brilliant volley into the far top corner.
The fourth came five minutes later. The ball was won on the half way line, allowing Darren Ehimamiegho to get up the left. He played in Joel Street, and under 16 player, who coolly finished beyond the goalkeeper at the near post.
And Dunlop wrapped up the scoring on 90 minutes. He superbly brought down a cross field ball before firing home.
Dale XI | MacLorg, Cunningham, Watts, Nevett, Sutton, Dos Santos, Kyffin, Bailey, Edwards, Anderson, Ehimamiegho.
Subs | Craven, Ayub, Dunlop, Kyle, Greenwell, Yaduat, Street.