MATCH PREVIEW | ROCHDALE

The Bees travel up north this weekend as they take on Rochdale away from home on Saturday  in the Vanarama National League.

Barnet secured a dominant 3-1 victory over York City at The Hive on Tuesday, extending their lead at the top of the Vanarama National League, in front of a massive attendance of over 4000.

From the start, Barnet applied pressure on York, dominating possession and forcing challenges.

After some near misses, the Bees took the lead in the 16th minute when Oluwu pounced on a loose ball that was headed down by Ndlovu from a corner, scooping it into the top right corner, putting the hosts up a goal to nil.

Despite creating more chances, Barnet couldn’t extend their lead in the first half, but they did well to keep York on the back foot.

The second half saw Barnet quickly take control.

Glover played a fantastic through ball to Ndlovu, who slotted it past the goalkeeper in the 51st minute, increasing the lead for the Bees early into the second half.

Just six minutes later, Hartigan added a third with a well-placed free-kick curving past the goalkeeper and falling into the bottom right corner.

York attempted a comeback, but Barnet’s debutant goalkeeper, Savin, made key saves to preserve the clean sheet.

York did manage to score in the 91st minute, but it was too late, as Barnet held on for a 3-1 win.

Barnet remain in first place, standing seven points clear after adding three more to the table.

Barnet last three results:

Barnet FC 3-1 York City

Barnet FC 3-1 Solihull Moors

Boston United 0-0 Barnet

Tamworth 0-1 Barnet FC

Barnet FC 2-0 Hartlepool United

Rochdale:

Rochdale secured a point with a goalless draw at Halifax Town on Wednesday night, thanks to an 83^rd minute penalty save by goalkeeper Sam Waller.

Halifax had an early chance, but Sam Waller closed down Zak Emmerson’s shot.

Both teams created some half-chances, with Dale’s Kairo Mitchell and Harvey Gilmour testing the Halifax defence.

In the second half, Rochdale started to dominate the game, with Tarryn Allarakhia playing a key role in the attack.

The Dale started to pile on the chances against the hosts, but with every opportunity on taking the lead, Halifax denied the visitors but blocking or saving any chances they had.

With seven minutes left, Halifax earned a penalty after Tom Pugh was fouled in the box, but Sam Waller stepped up and saved Florent Hoti’s effort.

In the dying moments, Dale nearly snatched a win, with Aidan Barlow’s shot cleared off the line and Beckwith’s curling effort going just over the bar.

The match ended 0-0, with Waller’s penalty save ensuring a point for Dale.

Rochdale last five results:

FC Halifax Town 0-0 Rochdale

Southend United 1-1 Rochdale

Rochdale 0-0 Ebbsfleet United

Rochdale 0-1 Oldham Athletic

Worthing 1-2 Rochdale

In the opposition dugout:

Former EFL and Dale player Jimmy McNulty is the manager of Rochdale, alongside him is his Head of Performance Services Kevin Gibbins.

Jimmy McNulty became the manager of Rochdale in March 2023 after a stint as caretaker manager.

He was appointed permanent manager, though the team faced relegation to the National League.

In his first full season in charge, Rochdale finished 11th in their first National League season, and in August 2023, he signed a three-year contract, committing to rebuild of the team.

Ones to watch:

Rochdale centre forward Kairo Mitchell is the clubs current top goal scorer so far this season.

He has scored 12 goals and assisted 3 in 26 league appearances for the club, with an average of a goal every 184 minutes.

Last time these two sides met:

Barnet claimed a vital 2-1 victory over Rochdale last time out at The Hive, with a solid 

performance that helped them secure the three points.

The match began with Rochdale creating the first real opportunity when Aidan Barlow fired a shot from inside the box, but ex Barnet goalkeeper Nick Hayes made a straightforward save.

However, it was Barnet who struck first, taking advantage of a defensive error by Rochdale.

After regaining possession just outside the box, Nick Kabamba was perfectly positioned to slot the ball past the keeper in the 6th minute, giving Barnet an early lead.

Ryan Glover had the chance to extend the lead in the 15th minute, with a curling shot that narrowly missed the right-hand post.

The Bees were in control and almost found a second goal when Myles Kenlock’s quick footwork on the left set up a shot that forced Rochdale’s keeper David Robson, into a smart save.

The rebound fell to Kabamba, whose header beat Robson but hit the crossbar.

Barnet finally doubled their lead when Ben Coker picked up the ball on the left wing, cutting inside and placing a beautiful shot into the bottom right corner in the 38th minute.

Rochdale came close to pulling one back just before halftime, as a cross was flicked on and found the feet of Hayes, but Barnet’s defence blocked the effort and cleared the danger, leaving the score 2-0 at the break.

In the second half Rochdale responded quickly, and a dangerous moment came when a loose pass from Barnet’s Oluwo was intercepted by Rochdale’s striker Ian Henderson, who lifted the ball over Hayes to bring the score to 2-1.

In added time, Rochdale had two more chances, both striking the woodwork with one off the post and the other off the crossbar, but Barnet held on to claim a vital 2-1 win.

Dean Brennan will be wanting more of the same from his side this Saturday following their Tuesday night performance, securing three more points and extending their lead at the top of the table.