Match Report
The table gap was wide: 68 points between Rochdale (2nd, 106 pts) and Morecambe (22nd, 38 pts). Rochdale had been under-performing their position — 8th on five-round form against 2nd in the table. Scoring rates set the scale: Rochdale 1.91 scored and 0.89 conceded per game, Morecambe 1.43 and 2.24, with the league averaging 1.46.
Morecambe entered with three losses in a row. Over the last five, Rochdale had taken 10 of 15 points to Morecambe's 4.
The sides have met 11 times in the GioScore results database: 5 wins for Rochdale, 3 draws and 3 for Morecambe, at 3.09 goals per meeting. Home advantage has meant little here: 27% of the meetings went to the host. Expect goals on precedent — three or more in 73% of the meetings, and both sides scored in 82%.
The venue was Crown Oil Arena, with room for 10,249 spectators. On the scoreboard, it was 1-1 at the break; 4 second-half goals set the final 2-4.
Goal scorers
Rochdale: Aidan Barlow (19'), Ian Henderson (77') · Morecambe: Lewis Payne (66'), Ben Tollitt (90'), Jack Nolan (72'), Lewis Payne (32')
Key stats
Possession: Rochdale 70% · Morecambe 30% · Total shots: 19-7 · On target: 4-5 · Corners: 15-2