Rochdale break Grecian hearts with match winner in extra-time

Report: Exeter City 1 Rochdale 2

Rochdale recorded their first victory at St James Park in 13 years as they turned a 1-0 deficit on its head late on to win 2-1.

The game had been on a knife-edge throughout with both teams providing plenty of opportunities to produce, much to the gratification of Jamie Cureton who responded by putting Exeter ahead on the stroke of half-time.

The Dale, though, never gave up the ghost, continuing to press to the last and were duly rewarded with late goals from Ian Henderson and Bobby Grant to come away with an invaluable three points at the expense of the Grecians.

Following Saturday’s game, Kevin Amankwaah, Lawson D’Ath, and Tommy Doherty all made way for Jake Gosling, Guillem Bauza and Steve Tully respectively, as the Grecians lined up 4-4-2 against the Dale in an attempt to resume winning ways.

Amankwaah looked to have been rested following the workout at Home Park, so did not form part of the starting line against his former club. Elliott Chamberlain was recalled into the matchday squad following his loan away from St James Park.

With just minutes remaining Rochdale were rewarded for their endurance as a deflected cross from Henderson agonisingly went in off the back post in a goal mouth scramble.

Four minutes of extra-time were signalled as Exeter were left without a recognised striker on the pitch for the remaining moments, but Rochdale were not settling for a draw.

As Bobby Grant – three minutes into stoppage time – was put through by an angled ball, he slotted low past Artur Krysiak to turn the game on its head was and break Grecian hearts.

Full-time: Exeter City 1 Rochdale 2

Exeter City: Krysiak; Tully, Woodman, Baldwin, Coles; Bennett, Davies, Molesley, Gosling (Keohane 70); Bauza (D’Ath 66), Cureton (Chamberlain 90).
Subs (not used): Evans, Amankwaah, Dawson, Moore-Taylor.
Goal: Cureton (45).

Rochdale: Lillis; Rose, Edwards, Cansdell-Sherriff, McIntyre (Rafferty h-t); Grant, Cavanagh; Kennedy (Thompson 65), Grimes; Donnelly, Henderson.
Subs (not used): Barry-Murphy, Collis, Howarth, Gornell, Thomas.
Goals: Henderson (87), Grant (90+3).

Attendance: 3,979 (110 away).

Referee: P. Gibbs

Article by Kit Sproson courtesy of Exeter City Football Club

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