Rochdale vs Sutton? very Italian…

Rochdale clinched a dramatic 93rd-minute winner, sending the Crown Oil Arena into raptures as 2,802 fans celebrated a 2-1 victory for the Dale. Both teams entered the match on the back of FA Cup losses, with Rochdale having last emerged victorious against Sutton with a 2-0 win in April. Missing star player Kairo Mitchell, Rochdale lined up in their familiar three-at-the-back formation, while Sutton adjusted to match with their own back-three setup, employing two wing-backs.

The game began cautiously, with neither side registering a shot in the opening 15 minutes. However, Rochdale grew into the game, with much of their early success coming down the left flank. Wing-back Jili Bayubu was a constant threat, delivering a series of dangerous crosses. In the 22nd minute, the game’s first shot resulted in the opening goal for Rochdale. A slick one-two between Ryan East and Tobi Adebayo-Rowling on the edge of Sutton’s box allowed Adebayo-Rowling to swing in a superb cross, which East met with a well-guided header into the far-left corner.

This goal sparked the match into life, with Sutton pressing higher up the pitch. They found an equaliser in the 30th minute when Charlie Waller delivered a low cross to Will Davies. Davies’ slightly heavy touch led to a shot that was well saved by McNicholas, but the rebound fell kindly to Eduino Vaz, who slotted the ball past the defenders on the line.

Both teams had further chances, with Siju Odelusi’s powerful strike from outside the box forcing an excellent save from Rochdale’s Luke McNicholas. In the 47th minute, Rochdale nearly regained the lead after a mix-up at the back between Sutton’s Tyler French and Alex Kirk allowed striker Matthew Dennis to pounce, though he was unable to get a clean shot away.

The first half ended with a minor altercation between Jayden Harris and Sam Beckwith following a late challenge by Harris, resulting in the game’s first booking by referee Richard Aspinall.

The second half started slowly, with the first opportunity arriving in the 70th minute through an Adebayo-Rowling cross after some tidy link-up play with Connor McBride. Rochdale dominated the half, delivering a series of low crosses that went unmet but kept Sutton pinned in their own half. Several substitutions disrupted the flow, including Jayden Harris being stretchered off in the 51st minute after an awkward landing. Luton loanee Jake Burger made a promising cameo for Rochdale, replacing Aaron Henry in midfield.

It took an extra-time goal for Rochdale to secure a well-deserved three points. Substitute Devante Rodney, who had looked dangerous since his introduction in the 64th minute, was the hero. Tarryn Allarakhia seized on a poor clearance in the Sutton box, weaving past one defender before squaring it to Rodney, who shifted onto his right foot and blasted it into the net, igniting celebrations at the Crown Oil Arena.

In the closing minutes, Sutton pushed for an equaliser but couldn’t break through as Rochdale successfully ran down the clock. Man of the Match was awarded to Ryan East for his first-half goal and commanding performance in midfield.