Rochdale once again failed to register as they played out a dissapointing goalless draw against local rivals Oldham. Dale started well and created early chances for Lewis Alessandra and Ian Henderson but couldn't find a way past visiting goalkeeper David Cornell. Oldham were the better side in the second half but rarely threatened and they left with the point that they had come for.
Keith Hill made two changes to the team that played against Coventry in midweek, with Peter Vincenti and Alessandra re-instated in place of Donal McDermott and Calvin Andrew. Dale had most of the early possession and they beautifully crafted the first meaningful chance of the game. Matthew Lund played a delightful through ball to the onrushing Andy Cannon leaving the right-back with plenty of time to find a cross. His ball was perfect for Alessandra, but the striker who signed from Plymouth in the summer managed to turn the ball over from less than 5 yards. Dale continued to probe but both team's passing game was halted by the amount of cheap fouls given away, meaning that neither side was really able to find a way through. Dale did have a brilliant chance to take the lead however when Jamie Allen's corner found the unmarked Henderson but his powerful header was saved by a combination of Cornell and the post. Oldham did have a good chance of their own when a set piece found Brian Wilson but the centre-back couldn't find the target despite having been afforded too much space in the Dale area.
Home fans would have hoped that Dale could push on after edging the first half but the second half turned into somewhat of a non-event. Oldham dominated most of the possession but couldn't find a way past the Dale defence who, on a promising note, have seemed to re-affirm themselves with three clean sheets in a row. The introductions of Calvin Andrew and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing gave Dale a little more attacking threat, as Vincenti looked to still be carrying the ankle injury that kept him out in midweek. Andrew delivered his usual display of pace and strength which troubled the Oldham back four, but his clever flick-ons rarely found a Dale attacker. Andy Cannon was often found guilty of trying too much when he found space on the right, with his skills from last season not producing the same sorts of results thus far as he was tackled in good positions on numerous occasions. Mendez-Laing had the only real chance of the second half when he was found by Allen but his fierce left footed strike was well saved by Cornell. Ultimately the game finished 0-0 but had Alessandra converted his early chance the game would have been very different and instead turned into a poor derby match where both sides seemed unwilling to push for the win and instead settled for the points.
Full Time: Rochdale 0-0 Oldham
Man of the Match: David Cornell
Keith Hill made two changes to the team that played against Coventry in midweek, with Peter Vincenti and Alessandra re-instated in place of Donal McDermott and Calvin Andrew. Dale had most of the early possession and they beautifully crafted the first meaningful chance of the game. Matthew Lund played a delightful through ball to the onrushing Andy Cannon leaving the right-back with plenty of time to find a cross. His ball was perfect for Alessandra, but the striker who signed from Plymouth in the summer managed to turn the ball over from less than 5 yards. Dale continued to probe but both team's passing game was halted by the amount of cheap fouls given away, meaning that neither side was really able to find a way through. Dale did have a brilliant chance to take the lead however when Jamie Allen's corner found the unmarked Henderson but his powerful header was saved by a combination of Cornell and the post. Oldham did have a good chance of their own when a set piece found Brian Wilson but the centre-back couldn't find the target despite having been afforded too much space in the Dale area.
Home fans would have hoped that Dale could push on after edging the first half but the second half turned into somewhat of a non-event. Oldham dominated most of the possession but couldn't find a way past the Dale defence who, on a promising note, have seemed to re-affirm themselves with three clean sheets in a row. The introductions of Calvin Andrew and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing gave Dale a little more attacking threat, as Vincenti looked to still be carrying the ankle injury that kept him out in midweek. Andrew delivered his usual display of pace and strength which troubled the Oldham back four, but his clever flick-ons rarely found a Dale attacker. Andy Cannon was often found guilty of trying too much when he found space on the right, with his skills from last season not producing the same sorts of results thus far as he was tackled in good positions on numerous occasions. Mendez-Laing had the only real chance of the second half when he was found by Allen but his fierce left footed strike was well saved by Cornell. Ultimately the game finished 0-0 but had Alessandra converted his early chance the game would have been very different and instead turned into a poor derby match where both sides seemed unwilling to push for the win and instead settled for the points.
Full Time: Rochdale 0-0 Oldham
Man of the Match: David Cornell