Rochdale stage impressive comeback against Tranmere

Tranmere visited Rochdale this evening in their latest fixture in the 2022/23 League Two season.

Match Report: Rochdale v Tranmere Rovers

Rochdale 2	v	2 Tranmere Rovers
Lloyd-McGoldrick (69′) Ebanks-Landell (90’+3)	Goals	O’Donnell (19′ og) Hawkes (56′ pen)
Brierley (69′) Lloyd-McGoldrick (90’+3)	Assists
	HT 0-1

Bottom side Rochdale kept their slim survival hopes intact after coming from behind to punish Tranmere, who surrendered a comfortable two-goal lead. 

The game’s tempo was at a low, with neither side being able to gain a foothold in the contest, but the possession was hogged by Rochdale. 

Tranmere added urgency to their game and began to press from the front, which caused Rochdale into unforced errors and after many warnings, Rovers finally drew first blood, but not in the way they expected. 

A simple-looking back pass fell to the feet of Richard O’Donnell, but the ball comically fell under his foot and trickled in, giving Rovers the breakthrough. 

This sparked another reaction from Tranmere, who were out for more and to compile further misery on Rochdale, with their Football League status all but lost. 

O’Donnell made amends for his earlier mistake by producing a preposterous save to deny Regan Hendry, who clambered above his markers to win a header, and the Rochdale number one shifted across to clip the ball behind. 

The hosts almost levelled proceedings within a matter of moments, with two efforts agonisingly squandered. 

The first cannoned off the bar before the follow up by Ethan Ebanks-Landell was clawed out of the top corner by Mateusz Hewelt. 

Tranmere had two consecutive efforts that missed marginally, but the screw was beginning to be twisted by the visitors. 

The half-time whistle came at a good time both, as Rochdale could go in one goal down and motivated to get something from the contest knowing relegation was a real possibility.

For Ian Dawes, he would have wanted his side to be a little more clinical in front of goal. 

It was the hosts, with their 102-year Football League status on the line, who came flying out the blocks desperate to salvage something, and Liam Kelly’s effort early in the second half was valiantly blocked to keep Dale at bay for the time being. 

Despite Rochdale’s chance, Tranmere made them rue it in the worst style possible after being presented a golden opportunity from the penalty spot. 

Josh Hawkes showed immense calmness to dispatch the penalty past O’Donnell. 

Dale were fighting an uphill battle but in true fashion, they fought back immensely and they soon found themselves back in the game after reducing the arrears. 

Ethan Brierley forced Hewelt into a routine save minutes earlier, but he then turned provider after laying off Danny Lloyd, who shifted inside and drilled an effort from the edge of the box into the bottom corner.  

Both sides probed and a goal from either avenue seemed the likely outcome, and in true fighting spirit, Rochdale levelled in the final minute. 

Lloyd crossed in desperate fashion and he found Ebanks-Landell gaping in the box, and after rising high to win the in-swinging ball, his header beat Hewelt and flew in, which gave a down Rochdale outfit something to cheer about.

Tranmere host Grimsby Town for a 3pm kick off on Saturday 22 April in their next game of the 2022/23 League Two season.

Match Highlights

Gallery

Credit: Tony Coombes

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Post Match Interview

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