Rochdale secured their first win since returning to the English Football League with a commanding 3-0 victory over Shrewsbury Town at the Crown Oil Arena. The result lifts the Dale to 19th in the League Two table, having taken three points from their opening four games.
Baba Adeeko opened the scoring in the 33rd minute with a right-footed effort. Luke Hannant doubled the advantage just before half-time, seizing on a slip by Shrewsbury's Josh Ruffels to collect a pass from Emmanuel Dieseruvwe and lift a finish over goalkeeper Will Brook from 18 yards. Substitute Jonny Smith completed the scoring ten minutes from time, racing through on the right to curl a decisive shot beyond Brook. The report was supplied by PA Media and published by the BBC.
How did Rochdale take control?
Ian Watson's side created chances throughout the first half. Kane Taylor's cross found Dajaune Brown for a header that skimmed the crossbar in the 20th minute. Dieseruvwe also saw a shot blocked before Adeeko broke the deadlock. The goal settled any nerves and Hannant's strike just before the interval gave the home team a firm grip on the match. After the break, Shrewsbury threatened briefly, with Nils Ramming making a fine save to keep out Will Boyle's header, but Rochdale remained largely in control.
What does this mean for the league position?
This first victory is a significant boost for Rochdale's early season. They now have a record of one win and three losses from four matches, placing them 19th with three points. The team has scored four goals and conceded six, giving them a goal difference of minus two. They remain six points behind early leaders Bristol Rovers. Fans can track the team's progress on our standings page throughout the campaign.
Who were the key performers?
Baba Adeeko's opening goal was vital, while Luke Hannant's intelligent finish showcased his composure. Goalkeeper Nils Ramming provided security with his key save in the second half. From the bench, Jonny Smith made an immediate impact with his well-taken third goal. The collective performance, built on a solid defensive display, delivered the clean sheet.
What comes next for the squad?
Attention now turns quickly to the next fixture. Rochdale host Gillingham at the Crown Oil Arena on Saturday, September 5th. Gillingham currently sit 21st in the table, making it an important early-season encounter. The full schedule of upcoming matches is available on our fixtures page. Manager Ian Watson will hope this result builds momentum as his team looks to climb the League Two table.
