Dale's latest game on the pre-season run saw them pick up a 1-0 win at Stockport.

I don’t know whether I’m judging it like the team, but Edgeley Park is looking somewhat jaded these days to say the least. I never used to think of it that way, but the old away stand is now just an advertising block and the much photographed scoreboard is almost unrecognisable as being one. Dale fans were housed in a small block opposite the main stand, but many opted to sit amongst the County fans in that stand named after former Dale boss Danny Bergara.

First half’s starting eleven was: Wade, McGahey, Camps, Delaney, Rathbone, Morley, MJ WIlliams, Done, Inman, Henderson, Wilbraham. The biggest surprise was Callum Camps playing as part of a back three. Obviously, this isn’t part of a Keith Hill masterplan for next season, but possibly an attempt after Oxford away to make Camps more comfortable at the back?

As for the game? Well all pre-season games seem to merge into one these days. Dale had the vast majority of the possession. Dale had a few half chances and didn’t look in any real danger of conceding at any times. We knocked and spread the ball about well, moving it from wing to wing with Henderson looking very mobile.

A lovely move that almost looked like we’d overplayed it saw Matt Done knocked over in the box. No VAR in this game, and the penalty was given. Unfortunately, a poor Henderson penalty saw his shot dragged wide of the left hand post which will no doubt reignite an old debate.

Second half saw ten changes with Dale lining up as: Wade, Nield, McNulty, Nthle, Rafferty, Adshead, Perkins, Cannon, Williams, Andrew, Thompson.

We probably played better in the second half than we did in the first. Certainly, that first fifteen minutes of the second half I don’t think we let County touch the ball. It seemed somewhat apt that my first viewing of Perkins back in a Dale shirt was against Stockport given the end of his previous spell. If the young lads can’t learn a thing or two off Perkins, then they’ve no chance. He was a joy to watch the way he remained on his toes at all time, and would find space on the pitch close to the man in possession.

Stockport brought on former Dale player Nyal Bell in the second half. What an enigma this lad is. He’s got almost all the attributes to make it and he found himself with the ball in decent spots to have bagged himself a hat trick, but the ability to finish seemed to be that one attribute he’s missing, and it doesn’t look like finding it soon.

The winner came midway through the second half. A curling cross from Joe Rafferty was read well by Thompson who moved ahead of the County back line to tap home. The reactions were rather muted compared to his last goal for the club.

We had a goal disallowed from a very disappointed Joe Rafferty who tapped home a rebound but the linesman raised his flag for offside.

Decent work out, but if you like to use pre season games to predict that starting eleven for the first game like I do, then I don’t think you’ll be any clearer following this.

Photo: Action Images

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