Hartlepool 0-3 Rochdale: Match Report

11 January 2014 18:01
Hartlepool 0-3 Rochdale: Match Report - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game as it happened.


Dale stroll past Pools

Rochdale eased to a controlled 3-0 win at Hartlepool to repeat their opening-day triumph and to keep up the pressure on the promotion places in League Two.


After last weekend's FA Cup win over Leeds, Dale showed no signs of letting their standards dip at Victoria Park.


Defeat means Pools have now lost successive games by a 3-0 scoreline after Bury's New Year's Day triumph.


Pools had the game's first chance after 15 minutes as Jordan Richards curled a free-kick against the underside of the bar before the follow-up from Christian Burgess was blocked on the line by Michael Rose.


Pools' James Poole was denied by a fingertip save from Dale goalkeeper Josh Lillis before the visitors took control in the second half.


Substitute George Donnelly diverted the ball over the line from close range in the 50th minute after his first shot was blocked.


Skipper Peter Cavanagh then made it two with a spectacular volley from the edge of the area, crashing the ball past Scott Flinders in style after 63 minutes.


And the rout was completed late on when Graham Cummins, on as a substitute for scorer Donnelly, tapped in from eight yards after the home defence was cut open.


Source: PA