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Rochdale
FA Cup | Third Round
Jan 4, 2014 at 3pm UK
 
Leeds logo

2-0

Hogan (45'), Henderson (84')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Live Commentary: Rochdale 2-0 Leeds United - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's text coverage of Rochdale's FA Cup tie against Leeds United.
2

Rochdale booked their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 2-0 win against Championship side Leeds United this afternoon.

It was an even start, but the home side took the lead when Scott Hogan glanced in a header beyond the reach of visiting goalkeeper Paddy Kenny.

Leeds were unable to find a way back in the second half and went 2-0 down when Ian Henderson volleyed home in the 84th minute.

Read how the action unfolded below.


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Afternoon all! It's the FA Cup third round, a day that excites all football fans, if not some managers. But, whatever your view on this famous old competition, there's no denying that it's full of romance and dreams. Today, I'm focusing on Rochdale vs. Leeds United.

Sadly, today's fixture list has been hit by the bad weather. Bournemouth vs. Burton is off due to a waterlogged pitch, as is the third-round tie between Charlton and Oxford. Crawley Town's FA Cup second round replay at home to Bristol Rovers has been postponed, and Cheltenham against Chesterfield and Portsmouth against Accrington are also off.

Nevertheless, at the moment we're good to go at Spotland.



The Leeds United team news is in, so I'll bring that to you in just a moment. Still waiting for Rochdale.

LEEDS: Kenny; Zaliukas, Pearce, Wootton, Peltier Murphy, Austin, Pugh, McCormack, Smith, Byram

LEEDS SUBS: Cairns, Hunt, Brown, Tonge, Poleon, Lees, Ariyibi

So, a strong team for Leeds, who have the likes of Kenny, McCormack, Smith and Austin involved. Marius Zaliukas is also in, and he spoke earlier this week about the importance of today's match. We'll have more from him and from Dale in just a moment. No teams new as yet for the home side.

While we're waiting for that, let's look forward to the match. The home side will be quietly confident of causing an upset today. They are flying high in League Two, and are only four points behind league leaders Scunthorpe United.

Just as I type that, the Dale team news comes in...

ROCHDALE: Lillis; Bennett, Lancashire, O'Connell, Done; Vincenti, Cavanagh, Lund, Henderson; Hogan, Bunney

ROCHDALE SUBS: Thomson, Rafferty, Eastham, Donnelly, Allen, Cummins, Dicker

It's three changes for the home side, as Bennett, Done and Bunney start. Defender Michael Rose is suspended after picking up a red card during the New Year's Day defeat at Scunthorpe.



Right, let's get back to the build up, and we'll start with Rochdale. Despite being two leagues apart, there's a sense at Dale that today could be a famous day in their history. Manager Keith Hill believes that his side are capable of winning, but will have to "play the game of their lives".

"They're an excellent Championship side and it's going to be a difficult task, but it's no way impossible," Hill told BBC Sport. "We've probably got to be at our very best and probably play the games of our lives, but we're capable of doing it. From our perspective, to play at home against them is a real privilege and an opportunity to create a cup upset."

Victory would see Rochdale reach the fourth round for the first time since 2003, when their cup run was stopped by a 3-1 defeat at Wolves. As well as being a huge confidence boost for their promotion challenge, progression here would also be a big financial bonus.

Club chairman Chris Dunphy also shares his manager's belief that an upset could be on the cards. "If you talk about the romance of the FA Cup, this is the perfect cup tie," Dunphy told reporters. "A bottom tier team at home to Leeds United, it has all the makings of an upset.

"When I was a kid, I used to walk to games, even though it was about four miles each way. I would walk along with a bag of crisps and a Wagon Wheel with my mates, but that’s what being a supporter is all about and this tie is one of those that you always yearn for," he added.

So, Dunphy is a fan of the romance of the cup, and judging by Brian McDermott's Leeds side, he is also taking this match seriously.

UPDATE: We've had our first shock of the day at Ewood Park, as Blackburn have secured a replay against Manchester City with a 1-1 draw.

For Leeds, McDermott has spoken of using today's match as a chance to get away from the hectic Championship schedule. "I'm pleased it's the FA Cup this week," McDermott told the Yorkshire Evening Post. "It gives us the chance to freshen up and we need that."

The Whites are eighth in the league, but have won just one of their last six. However, they headed into the New Year in their highest Championship position at this stage of the season since 2010.

PREDICTION: We're not far away from kickoff now, so it's time for a prediction. As it's the FA Cup, an upset is always possible, but I think that Leeds will just edge it, 1-0.

Happy faces before the action gets going here at Spotland.



The stadium is filling up nicely, and even though the floodlights are on, the weather seems OK, which is very good news.

The nerves will be kicking in for players and fans across the country now as we approach 3pm. There's just time to grab a cuppa, but make it quick. A young fan has a huge Rochdale flag which covers him entirely. The pitch looks good, and the sky is clear. Here come the players. The balls are pink! Yes, pink.

KICKOFF! Here we go at Spotland! The home side get us going.

Good pressure by the Dale players early on. Leeds win the throw, however.

Leeds have a free kick in a dangerous position. It was given for a foul on Ross McCormack. Austin is over it, but I think it will be McCormack.

OVER THE BAR! It is indeed McCormack who hits it, but the wall does its job before Danny Pugh blasts the rebound over the bar.

Not much to report on in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes. That Pugh shot that went high over the bar is the only goalmouth action we've had so far.

The Leeds fans are in good voice, which is making for a good atmosphere. The ground is full, which is a great effort by both sets of fans.

With Matt Smith in attack, Leeds have a real presence when the ball is played long. Moments later, Rochdale think they are in, but Bunney is flagged for offside as he puts the ball in the net.

A dangerous ball in is cleared for a Rochdale corner, but that ball in is cleared.

CLOSE! Dale manage to find another cross, and Matthew Lund glances a header just wide of the post. Close for the home side!

The hosts are on top now. Samuel Bryam gets a stern word from the referee for a late challenge. Rochdale are exploring the wide areas outside the box, and making good use of the space.

Oh! Good play again from the hosts. They break down the left and the ball is whipped in by Matt Done, but it is just out of reach for Ian Henderson.

YELLOW CARD! Done is booked for a tackle and Leeds have a free kick just outside the box.

OFF THE LINE! Pugh delivers the ball and Smith gets up highest, but his powerful header is cleared off the line! Great chance for 1-0.

SAVE! This is some game! Now Rochdale come forward and Scott Hogan is in, but Kenny gets down low to make the save. The ball is loose for a few seconds, but the Whites get it clear.

Good spell of pressure now from the visitors. Rhys Bennett is called upon to make a last-ditch clearance with McCormack nearly breaking free.

Keith Hill will be very pleased with how the first 20 minutes have progressed. His players have matched their opponents in every department, and could have gone 1-0 up through Hogan. However, Smith has had the best chance so far.

We have a drop ball now after Pugh went down. It's back with Lillis as Dale look to build again.

Samuel Bryam has to do better here. McCormack pings over a delightful long pass, but Bryam fails to control and it runs away from him. He keeps it in play, but the move soon breaks down. Poor play.

CHANCES! Peltier's cross is cleared to Luke Murphy, and his volley is deflected for a corner. The ball eventually comes in, but it is scuffed wide by Scott Wootton after a Matt Smith knock-down.

YELLOW CARD! Bunney is booked for home side.

CHANCE! Oof! Hogan is almost in as he chases a through ball. About four players converge in the box, but a mixture of Kenny and Jason Pearce get it out. Dangerous situation for the away side.

CHANCE! Leeds are living dangerously here. Henderson moves forward on the right hand side of the box and unleashes a powerful shot that goes just wide.

YELLOW CARD! Pearce is booked for arguing about a decision.

With 35 minutes gone, Josh Lillis has had very little to do in the home goal. Leeds need to get more men forward, but at the moment Rochdale have the ball.

YELLOW CARD! Another booking, and this time it's Peter Cavanagh for lunging in.

Lillis and his defence hack the ball away, but Peltier comes charging into the back of Hogan. Both men are down, but I think they are OK to continue.

WIDE! Very ambitious effort by Henderson, who hammers a shot wide from 30 yards. He probably should have kept possession instead of going for glory.

The pattern of play has broken down in the last few minutes. I think both have settled for 0-0 at the break, but Dale will be pleased with their performance.

SAVE! A lovely passage of play and movement sees Hogan fire a shot from the edge of the box. It's comfortable for Kenny, however.

SAVE! Again Hogan forces Kenny to make a save, but again it's a simple one. We have two minutes of added time.

GOAL! ROCHDALE 1-0 LEEDS (Scott Hogan)

The League Two side have the lead seconds before the half-time whistle! Peter Vincenti sends in a great cross, and Scott Hogan beats the Leeds defence to head past Kenny and into the corner.

HALF TIME: ROCHDALE 1-0 LEEDS UNITED

Well, it seemed set to be 0-0 at the break, but Dale have the advantage with a late header. Leeds were very poor in the final five minutes, and you'd have to say that the home side did just enough to deserve the lead.

STAT ATTACK: The hosts had 51% of possession, seven shots and four on target. Leeds managed five shots, but had only one on target.

BENCH WATCH: McDermott has Noel Hunt and Dominic Poleon on the bench, while Dale can pick from the likes of Graham Cummins and George Donnelly.

McDermott will be concerned with the number of chances that Rochdale created. The visitors could have gone 1-0 up when Smith had a header cleared off the line, but apart from that they have been poor in attack. They need a spark of inspiration in the second half.

The players are making their way out as we approach the start of the second half.

KICKOFF! Here we go then!

Rochdale win an early corner, but it comes to nothing and Kenny restarts play.

Strong start from the home side in these early stages of the second half. Done attempts a low through ball to Hogan, but Kenny races out to collect.

If any home fans had concerns that their side would sit back after taking the lead, they are being proved wrong. Leeds are struggling to get on the ball.

Now then, Rochdale think they should get a decision as a powerful shot from the edge of the box hits Austin near the hand. It's tough to see at first, but the replay confirms that it was indeed handball.

OFF THE LINE! Just as in the first half, Leeds come close to scoring as Smith gets his head to a corner. But, again it's headed off the line.

Leeds are gradually working their way toward the Rochdale goal. They have improved in the last few minutes. I think their best chance is to get the ball to Smith in the air. He's a threat.



SAVE! Dale catch Leeds on the counter attack with a clever passing move. Hogan has space on the right hand side and finds Henderson, who steadies himself before curling a shot into Kenny's gloves.

Oh dear. Leeds pass the ball out of play and that pretty much sums up their afternoon at the moment. They need to provide better service to McCormack, who is having to come deeper and deeper to get the ball.

Credit must go to Hill's side for the manner in which they have approached this third-round match. They have worked hard, but more than that, they have shown their quality on the ball.

A decent opening fizzles out for Leeds. Bryam does brilliantly to keep the ball in on the right-hand side, but McCormack is unable to control his high pass. Now they have a free kick, and it will be Pugh to take.

It is actually Luke Murphy who delivers the set piece, but it is dealt with at the second attempt.

CLOSE! Oh! So close for Leeds! Kenny rushes out to save his side after a defensive mistake, and the visitors counter quickly. McCormack tries to curl it, but it drifts inches wide.

Now Rochdale move forward and Lund's cross is cleared for a corner. This is extremely open.

ROCHDALE SUB: Graham Cummins comes on for Bunney.

The home side have a succession of corners, but Leeds clear them all. Rochdale need to keep the ball as we approach the final 20 minutes.

SAVE! Pugh wins his side a corner with a powerful shot that Lillis pushes away at his near post. In comes the cross... but no, again it comes to nothing.

LEEDS SUB: An attacking change for Leeds as Noel Hunt replaces Scott Wootton.

WHAT A CHANCE! Oh my word! What a great chance for the home side to go 2-0 up! The ball is played across the box to Vincenti, who has time and space to pick his spot. However, he shots across the face of goal and wide!

CHANCE! This is what the FA Cup is all about! Rochdale again pressure their opponents, but Hogan's poke at goal is deflected wide. Leeds can't get out of their own half!

SAVE! This game should be out of reach now. Vincenti has the ball in the box and this time gets his shot on target, but Kenny saves Leeds with a smart stop.

GOAL! ROCHDALE 2-0 LEEDS UNITED (Henderson)

This is an incredible goal by Ian Henderson! Graham Cummins sends in a cross and Henderson volleys the ball into the bottom corner, over the head of Kenny. Brilliant technique.

SAVE! It should be 3-0! What on earth has happened to Leeds in the last 10 minutes? Henderson is again in the action, firing a long-range shot at goal which Kenny tips over.

LEEDS SUB: During that crazy five minutes, Leeds replaced Peltier with Poleon.



We have three minutes of added time at the end of this match. McDermott looks utterly dejected in the Leeds dugout.

The attendance this afternoon at Spotland is 8225. The home fans are singing their hearts out. The Leeds fans are not impressed.

FULL TIME: ROCHDALE 2-0 LEEDS UNITED

Rochdale are in the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 2-0 win against Championship side Leeds. Keith Hill's side were dominant in the final 15 minutes and fully deserve their victory.

However, even before that late rush of chances, Dale were the better side. The visitors struggled to create chances and were unable to find a way through the home defence. Plenty of questions will be asked in their dressing room, but the day belongs to Rochdale.

That's all from me for now, but do stay with us for more sports news and reaction from the FA Cup matches. Enjoy your evening!

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