Match Preview: Rochdale

25 October 2022

Following back-to-back away games, Rovers are back on home soil this week with the first of three consecutive home games coming against Rochdale on Tuesday night.

After a 1-0 victory at the Mornflake stadium against Crewe in the Papa John’s trophy was followed up by a 1-1 draw away at Harrogate Town, Rovers now face Jim Bentley’s men followed by a clash with Carlisle United and Stockport County at Prenton Park.

It’ll be a stern test against Bentley’s side who has called for his side ‘not to panic’ after falling to defeat against AFC Wimbledon last time out following four wins in their last previous six in all competitions.

With Rovers unbeaten in the league since early September, confidence is sky high for Micky Mellon’s and with two home games in a row, there’s a sense of opportunity for Rovers to climb from their current 9^th position in the league.

Team News:

Rovers came through Saturday's game unscathed and will have the same selection of players to pick from.

Paul Lewis, Tom Davies, Joel Mumbongo, Luke Robinson and Charlie Jolley are all still out injured.

Dale will be without Scott Quigley following a groin injury sustained in the Papa John’s Trophy draw with Salford City.

One to Watch: Devante Rodney

With four goals and two assists in 16 appearances so far this season, Rodney is the second highest scorer for Dale this year behind the injured Scott Quigley.

Born locally in Manchester, the 24-year-old came through at Manchester City before making his professional debut at Hartlepool United in April 2017. After signing for Salford City but only making a handful of appearances, Rodney signed for Port Vale in July 2020 and finished the clubs top scorer in 20/21 with 12 goals.

He signed for Rochdale this summer and has made an impressive start at thr Crown Oil Arena. His two assists have come in his last two appearances against Barrow and Wimbledon respectively and he’ll be looking to add to that tally at Prenton Park on Tuesday night.

Manager: Jim Bentley

After making just short of 300 appearances as a player for Morecambe between 2002 and 2011, Bentley then went on to take a manager role at the former Globe Arena and be a manager from 2011 to 2019.

In 2018 following Paul Tisdale’s departure from Exeter City, Bentley became the longest serving manager in the EFL before he resigned and became manager of National League North side AFC Fylde.

However, with the non-league side sitting fourth in the league, below expectations, Bentley was sacked and left jobless. But in August 2022, Bentley was appointed manager of Rochdale who sat bottom of the fourth tier in the English pyramid, earning a two-year deal.

With just four defeats in his 11 games in charge so far, Bentley has boosted Dale away from the relegation places and will be hoping to keep that the case for the remainder of the season at the very least.

Match Coverage:

Tuesday's game will be streamed live on iFollow in both the UK and abroad! Click here to get your match pass now for just £10

You can also follow the action through our social media channels below, with full text coverage during the fixture, followed by a match report.

Twitter: @tranmererovers

Facebook: @trfcofficial

Instagram: @tranmererovers

Match reaction from Micky Mellon and a player will follow on our website and YouTube channel.

Match Previews

Match Reports

Tranmere Rovers 1-1 Rochdale

25 October 2022

The SWA had to settle for a point on Tuesday evening after a hard fought 1-1 draw with Rochdale, a result that sees Rovers stretch their unbeaten run to seven league games.

It was a scrappy start to proceedings at Prenton Park, with both sides looking to get a foothold in the game. The first chance of the affair went the way of Rovers, with Kane Hemmings volleying wide of the Rochdale goal.

Rovers continued to probe at Rochdale and had another opportunity after some fine work from Josh Dacres-Cogley down the right flank, his cross found Kane Hemmings who glanced wide.

Rovers continued to search for the breakthrough and the next chance fell to Kieron Morris who blazed over from the edge of the box after a well-worked one-two with Lee O'Connor in the build-up.

The next chance for the SWA came just after the 30-minute mark, this time it was an attempt from Chris Merrie, who headed wide from a Josh Hawkes corner.

Rovers were made to pay for their missed chances and Rochdale took the lead against the run of play through Ian Henderson, the veteran striker latched onto a long ball from Jimmy Keohane and slotted past a stranded Ross Doohan in the Rovers goal.

Rovers weren't to be deterred by Rochdale taking the lead, however, and restored parity within minutes through Kane Hemmings, the SWA captain heading past Richard O'Donnell after a delightful cross from Kieron Morris.

That would be the last piece of real action in the first half, with the two sides going into the break level. Perhaps an unfair reflection on Rovers' dominance in the opening half, with the Rochdale goal very much coming against the run of play.

After a quiet start to the second half, both sides exchanged opportunities just after the hour mark, with Josh Hawkes seeing his attempt blocked for Rovers while Ross Doohan produced a save at the other end to deny Tyrese Sinclair's low-driven shot.

Moments later, Rovers had a golden opportunity to take the lead through Kane Hemmings, who'd been a thorn in the side of Rochdale all evening, this time his header was cleared off the line by Toumani Diagouraga.

By this point, Rovers were piling the pressure on Rochdale and the next chance for the SWA fell the way of Kieron Morris, with his powerful drive from range calling Richard O'Donnell into a save.

Jordan Turnbull was the next to go close for Rovers, with his header from the back post hitting the crossbar and going over. More frustration for Micky Mellon's men!

In the game's closing moments Rochdale defended well to prevent the SWA from finding a winner, with the points being shared on the evening. A frustrating result for Rovers, who controlled the game but just couldn't find a winner against a resilient Rochdale side who fought hard to earn a share of the spoils.

Rovers are back in action at the weekend with Carlisle United making the trip to Prenton Park, as the SWA look to stretch their unbeaten run to eight league games.

Tranmere team: Doohan, Dacres-Cogley, Simeu, Turnbull, Bristow, O'Connor, Merrie, Morris, Hawkes, Nevitt, Hemmings