Keith Hill lauded his players’ work ethic after watching Rochdale record an emphatic away win against ten-man Fleetwood Town.
Ian Henderson, George Donnelly and Jason Kennedy all netted for the visitors with Nathan Pond’s late dismissal capping off a miserable day for Fleetwood.
Rochdale finished ninth in League One in 2011 and Hill said his players have the ability to get there again if they continue to work hard.
“I see a squad buying into the way the game can be played and we can be successful,” the Rochdale boss said.
“There have been a lot of fights along the way, with the players to prove I’m right. As pleasing as we were on the eye, we were equally good off the ball.
“We’ve got the balance right at the minute. I’m pleased for the players, they’ve worked hard. They’re being rewarded now.
“If we carry on with that hard work and energy we can deliver back to the football club and supporters what we achieved over our first four-and-a-half years.”
Henderson opened the scoring on nine minutes when he slammed home Donnelly’s pass following a sweeping break down the right.
Donnelly doubled the Dale’s advantage just after the hour mark when he squeezed Kennedy’s pass past Fleetwood goalkeeper Scott Davies.
Jamille Matt earned a penalty for the home side on 80 minutes when he was fouled by Michael Rose but Josh Lillis saved Andy Mangan’s effort.
Pond received his marching orders soon after when he received a second yellow card following an altercation on the touchline.
Kennedy capped off a terrific display with Rochdale’s third on 90 minutes when he blasted into the top corner from just inside the box.
The result lifts Rochdale – who entertain Southend on Wednesday – to 16th in the table and eight points clear of the relegation zone.
Image courtesy of football4football, via YouTube, with thanks
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