Preview: Rochdale (A)

All the important information ahead of Stanley's clash with Rochdale

11 October 2019

Accrington Stanley manager John Coleman will be hoping his side can extend their good run of form when they travel to the Crown Oil Arena to face Rochdale tomorrow afternoon, 3pm kick-off.

Stanley come into tomorrow's game on the back of a 3-0 win over Oldham Athletic in the Leasing.com Trophy, with the club having only lost one game in the last nine.

However, Rochdale suffered a 3-2 away defeat to AFC Wimbledon in their last outing, with Ian Henderson bagging a brace for The Dale.

In the dugout at the Crown Oil Arena is Brian Barry-Murphy following his appointment in March 2019, having spent the last eight years of his playing career with The Dale.

Barry-Murphy's side currently occupy 19th place in the table, with Stanley sitting just one place higher in 18th.

Last season Rochdale did the double over Stanley with both fixtures finishing 1-0 in The Dale's favour.

Rochdale Line-Up Against AFC Wimbledon (4-1-3-2)

GK: Robert Sánchez
RB: Luke Matheson
CB: Jimmy Keohane
CB: Calvin Andrew
LB: Rhys Norrington-Davies
CDM: Jordan Williams
CM: Aaron Morley
CM: Callum Camps
CM: Oliver Rathbone
ST: Aaron Wilbraham
ST: Fabio Tavares

Key Players

Callum Camps - Camps is a product of the Rochdale youth system and he made his debut for the first team in a 2-2 draw with Port Vale in April 2013. Since then the midfielder has gone on to make over 200 appearances for the club and has contributed with 26 goals. The 23-year-old has also represented Northern Ireland at various youth levels.

Aaron Morley - Morley is another player that has come through the youth ranks at the Crown Oil Arena and he made his competitive debut for the club in a 2-1 victory over Notts County in October 2016. The midfielder has made nine league appearances this season and has found the net on two occasions, against Doncaster Rovers and Southend United. The 19-year-old also signed a long-term deal with the club during the summer, keeping him contracted at the Crown Oil Arena until 2022.

Ian Henderson - Henderson joined Rochdale from Colchester United after his contract was cancelled by the club in January 2013, having made over 100 appearances for The U's. The striker has since gone on to make over 300 appearances for The Dale and has found the net on more than 100 occasions, including a brace in the recent defeat to AFC Wimbledon. The 34-year-old is also the current captain of Brian Barry-Murphy's side.

Team News - Rochdale

Brian Barry-Murphy added experienced defender Paul McShane to his squad yesterday and the 33-year-old former Republic of Ireland international could make his debut against Stanley.

Team News - Stanley

Midfielder Sean McConville is still a doubt after missing the last two games with a shoulder injury.

To read Stanley manager John Coleman's pre-match quotes, CLICK HERE!

Tickets

Tickets for the match at the Crown Oil Arena are on sale from the club shop until 4pm this afternoon and will also be available at the ground ahead of tomorrow afternoon's game, CLICK HERE for ticket prices!

Kit

Stanley will be wearing their third kit for Saturday's Sky Bet League One game at the Crown Oil Arena, CLICK HERE to buy yours!

Match Previews

Match Reports

Rochdale 2 Accrington 1

Unhappy birthday for Coley despite Pritchard wonder goal

12 October 2019

A wonder goal from Joe Pritchard wasn’t enough to make it a happy 57th birthday for John Coleman as Rochdale ran out 2-1 winners at the Crown Oil Arena.

Rochdale striker Ian Henderson scored either side of half-time to secure the three points for Dale despite Pritchard blasting a 30-yard effort into the top corner of the net – his first Stanley goal.

It was frustrating for Stanley who had numerous chances, including a powerful header for Colby Bishop at the end, but couldn’t turn them into three points.

Defender Callum Johnson suffered a late groin injury and, with winger Sean McConville also out injured (shoulder), it meant Coleman had to shuffle his pack.

Offrande Zanzala made his first league start since New Year’s Day while Lamine Kaba Sherif came into the starting XI, as Stanley started with three at the back.

Chances were at a premium in the first half but the Reds were ruing missed opportunities.

Jordan Clark was lively and played a number of good balls into the box which no one could get on the end of while the winger had a couple of shots he couldn’t find the target with.

Zanzala had two strong efforts blocked while Sam Finley tried his luck from distance twice but didn’t test Dale keeper Robert Sanchez.

The home stopper was eventually called into action on 37 minutes from Clark but it was comfortable for him – the first shot on target in the game.

Dale took the lead on 40 minutes with their first efforts on goal. Ollie Rathbone’s long range effort wasn’t held onto by Dimi Evtimov and Henderson followed it up from a tight angle.

Henderson raced through minutes later and tried to chip over Evtimov but it was into the side netting – a let-off for Stanley.

Phil Edwards came on at the break for Kaba Sherif as Stanley went to four at the back for the second half.

However striker Henderson made it two four minutes after the re-start when Stanley’s defence didn’t cope with a ball over the top and the Dale man ran onto it and chipped it over Evtimov for his eighth goal of the season.

Winger Pritchard then got Stanley back in it on 53 minutes with his 30-yard screamer.

Clark was denied an equaliser minutes later when he too had a go from 30 yards with Sanchez one-handedly keeping the ball out.

The winger then fired just wide for the Reds while there was pin-ball around the Dale area with 10 minutes left but no one in a white shirt could get a clean shot on goal.

Sanchez was Dale’s match saviour at the end pulling off a superb point blank save to keep out Bishop’s header from Pritchard’s corner and Clark couldn't connect with the ball with almost the last kick of the game as Rochdale held on.

Ticket News

Rochdale tickets on sale

Tickets for Stanley's visit to the Crown Oil Arena are now available

19 September 2019

Tickets for Accrington Stanley's upcoming match with Rochdale at the Crown Oil Arena on Saturday 12th October are now available.

Tickets for Stanley's clash with Rochdale can be purchased from the club shop between 10am-4pm or over the phone on 01254 356950, with prices for this fixture below:

In Advance

Adults - £22

Over-65s - £16

21 & under - £16

16 & under - £5

2 & under - Free

Wheelchair - £16 and a carer goes free

Match Day

Adults - £25

Over-65s - £19

21 & under - £19

16 & under - £8

2 & under - Free

Wheelchair - £19 and a carer goes free

Standings