rochdale 0 - 1 Runhead (390067042)

Clouds darkened the skies at Noddy Holder Stadium as 50000 spectators turned up for the match. Daniel Mohn was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Frédéric Bührer and Virgílio Serra. rochdale had chosen a strategic 4-4-2 formation. The following players had been chosen: Jansana - Calotã, Denis, Águia, Gülriz - Schellinck, Moorey, Thriepland, Ramholt - Davidovits, Ciucă.

A 3-4-3 alignment was the formation of choice for Runhead. Lineup: Andone - Angst, Jakubik, Radłowski - Navarro, Romeiras, Cummins, Paloaho - Cotterell, Martínez de Garro, D'Annunzio.

H. Sen was called on to replace rochdale's S. Gülriz after 9 minutes following a nasty collision. It was almost a goal for rochdale following F. Ramholt's good header after a corner, it went just over the bar though. T. Jakubik delivered a good free kick from an excellent position 35 minutes into the game, but luck wasn't on Runhead's side this time and the ball went wide. After 42 minutes rochdale's H. Águia contracted a slight foot injury, but didn't want to leave the game. rochdale's E. Calotã was shown a yellow card after 43 minutes for slicing down an opponent. With 44 minutes played G. Davidovits almost put the home team one ahead on a cross coming in from the right, but the shot went just wide. Runhead's E. Romeiras got himself booked for a foul. G. Davidovits was the unlucky victim and couldn't continue the game, so rochdale's A. Sutcliff had to come off the bench. With 44 minutes gone, H. Cummins suddenly found himself completely free on the right wing when a counterattack by Runhead caught their opponents by surprise. Only a great save by the opposing keeper prevented him from scoring. 0 - 0 was the halftime score. rochdale claimed to have seen most of the ball, and the statistics agreed with them - possession being 57 percent.

rochdale created a good opportunity to score 56 minutes into the match when A. Sutcliff's hooked ball from the left created a scuffle in front of the goal, and the visitors' defenders had a hard time clearing the ball. A. Cotterell of Runhead received a yellow card after 57 minutes for unsportsmanlike behaviour. The home crowd was not impressed by the fancy moves of Runhead's A. Paloaho after 70 minutes. He converted a pass from the left for a goal, resulting in the visitors taking the 0 - 1 lead. rochdale had most of the ball, with 56 percent of possession.

Most important rochdale player was I. Thriepland. On the other hand, A. Sutcliff's play was disheartening. T. Jakubik performed admirably for Runhead. N. Angst on the other hand, had a terrible day. The match ends 0 - 1.