Goals from Rhys Bennett and Callum Camps ensured Rochdale emerged as 2-0 winners from Tuesday night’s pre-season friendly at the Moss Rose.
Both goals were executed superbly, within a five minute period during the first half.
Two trialists were named amongst the starting line-up for the game against Macclesfield Town – David Fox and Adam Morgan. Josh Lillis, Rhys Bennett, Ashley Eastham, Sean McGinty, Michael Rose, Peter Vincenti, Andy Cannon, Callum Camps and Joel Logan made up the eleven.
After a relatively quiet opening period, the home side had the first chance of the match in the 17th minute, however Barrow could only drag his effort across the face of goal and wide of the upright.
The game opened up after the Silkmen’s effort and Dale had their first opportunity, which should have been a goal, three minutes later.
Morgan played a dangerous low ball across the face of goal, but Logan, who had made the run towards the back post, couldn’t find the decisive touch to turn the ball over the line from less than six yards.
Rochdale had grown into the game and with 24 minutes played Bennett opened the scoring with an excellent looping header, after latching onto a ball from Camps.
GOAL: MACCLESFIELD TOWN 0-1 ROCHDALE (Bennett, 24 minutes)
Camps went from provider to goal scorer five minutes later as he clipped the ‘keeper on the angle from just inside the area to add to his pre-season tally.
GOAL: MACCLESFIELD TOWN 0-2 ROCHDALE (Camps, 29 minutes)
Dale retained their two goal advantage, taking a lead into the interval.
HT: MACCLESFIELD TOWN 0-2 ROCHDALE
There was one change at the interval as Camps was replaced by trialist Nuha Jabbie.
Opportunities on goal were limited throughout the second half for either side, however the Silkmen should have done better around the hour mark when Moke sent an excellent ball across the face of goal, only for his team mate to blast his resulting shot wide of the target.
In the 71st minute Manager Keith Hill made his second substitution of the match as Andy Cannon made way for Brian Barry-Murphy.
His introduction aided what had already been a gritty midfield display by Dale, but despite the positive substitution, Rochdale were unable to add to the score line.
It finished Macclesfield 0-2 Rochdale