Southend United v Rochdale Preview

Southend United go into Saturday’s game against Rochdale looking for their first double of the season after Stephen Broad’s single goal was enough to give Blues all three points at Spotland in December. That match saw Dale manager John Hollins take charge of his first match after taking over from previous boss Steve Parkin. Since that defeat Rochdale have maintained their promotion push and currently sit in fourth place in the Third Division table four points adrift of third placed Mansfield Town. Two goals in the final nine minutes saw Dale come from a goal behind to beat Halifax Town 2-1 on Tuesday night their eighth victory on the road in the league this season.

Billy Best Two goals v Rochdale in season 1967/68

Rochdale first visited Roots Hall on St Valentines Day 1959 where goals from Roy Hollis, Bud Houghton and Sam McCrory gave Blues a 3-1 victory with Alan Moore scoring Dale’s goal. Rochdale were relegated to Division Four that season and the two clubs would next meet in season 1966/67 when Blues also found themselves in Division Four. Although an end of season encounter saw the fixture end 0-0. The following season saw Rochdale visit Roots Hall on the ultimate game of the season, but this time Blues would win a thrilling encounter 3-1 thanks to two goals from Billy Best and one from Phil Chisnall. The following season Rochdale visited in October and Billy Best got on the scoresheet again, but this time it was Rochdale who would win 3-1 in a season that would see Dale go on to win promotion to Division Three. The clubs would next meet up again in season 1972/73, this time in Division Three. Blues found themselves two down at half-time and despite Gary Moore pulling a goal back for Blues in the second-half Rochdale went home with maximum points. The following season saw Dale once again win 2-1 in a season that would see Dale relegated. When Blues found themselves in Division Four in season 1976/77 they managed their first Roots Hall victory in three over Rochdale as goals from Neil Townsend, Tony Hadley and an Alan Moody penalty gave Blues a 3-0 win. The following season Blues also scored three times with Dale scoring one in reply. A win that ensured Blues promotion to Division Three with Blues goals came from Steve Goodwin, Colin Morris and Derrick Parker. Blues would next meet Rochdale when they were back in Division Four in season 1980/81. Once again Rochdale were the visitors to Roots Hall on the last day of the season but on this occasion it was a night of celebration as Blues were presented with the Fourth Division Championship after needing a point against Rochdale to secure the title. Season 1980/81 had seen Blues go the whole season unbeaten at Roots Hall in the league but at half-time Rochdale were a goal up, but thanks to Tony Hadley’s second-half strike Blues would win their first ever trophy and go the whole season unbeaten at Roots Hall as the two sides drew 1-1. Blues would last three seasons in Division Three and season 1984/85, back in Division Four, Dale won 2-0 with goals from Phil Dwyer and Steve Taylor, a poor performance from Blues who were thankful to goalie Jim Stannard for keeping the scoreline respectable. Season 1985/86 saw Blues record their biggest ever victory over Rochdale when a Richard Cadette hat-trick and goals from Glenn Pennyfather and Micky Engwell gave Blues a comfortable 5-0 win. The following season Blues also scored five but Rochdale scored three in reply in what was a amazing match at Roots Hall. Dean Neal gave Blues the lead on 15 minutes only for Shaun Reid to equalise a minute later. Richard Cadette regained the lead for Blues on 22 minutes but once again Dale got themselves back in the game 11 minutes later through John Seasman. Although Dean Neal’s second of the evening a minute before the break regained Blues lead before Derek Hall made it 4-2 on 58 minutes and John Gymer made it five two minutes later. Steve Taylor made it 5-3 five minutes from time to complete an entertaining night’s football. Blues gained promotion to Division Three at the end of that season and would next meet Rochdale in Division Four in season 1989/90 in what was another entertaining match that Blues would win by the odd goal in five. A Tony Brown own goal gave Blues a 40th minute lead, Andy Ansah doubled Blues advantage four minutes after the break and Dave Martin made it three on 58 minutes. Although Rochdale weren’t out of it yet and goals from Jason Dawson on 65 and a Wayne Goodison penalty on 77 minutes saw Dale back in the match but Blues would hang on to claim all three points to place Blues into third place in the Barclay’s League Division Four table. When Blues descended back

Kevin Maher - celebrates his equalising goal v Rochdale in season 1998/99

to the basement Division in season 1998/99 Graham Lancashire gave Dale a 36th minute lead only to see Kevin Maher cancel that out to salvage a point for Blues in the 73rd minute. Season 1999/2000 was definitely a game of two halves. Gary Jones gave the visitors the lead on 32 minutes. A poor Dave Morley back pass enabled Graeme Atkinson to nip in and make it two five minutes later and two minutes after that it was three as Atkinson scored his second of the afternoon. Blues left the pitch at half-time with ‘what a load of rubbish’ ringing in their ears but it would be a different story in the second-half as Blues Boss Alan Little made three changes. On 55 minutes Scott Houghton reduced the arrears and seven minutes later a Martin Carruthers penalty, after Dale full back Dean Stokes had handled, made it 3-2. Then the comeback was complete five minutes from time as Roget got in at the far post to convert a Scott Houghton right-wing cross to make the final scoreline Southend United 3 Rochdale 3. Last season saw Blues win 3-0 and condemn Dale to their fourth consecutive defeat thanks to goals from Phil Whelan and two from David Lee, one from the spot.