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In football they say the luck evens out over a season. It is fair to say the U's have not had a lot of luck in recent seasons, confirmed by the numerous letters of apology they have received from the Professional Game Match Officials Limited. This could be the season when the luck does finally even out, if the first two games in the league are anything to go by. First Accrington could have been out of sight at half-time, but we salvaged a point thanks to Rob Hunt's freak goal. Then last Saturday we go a goal down to Oldham, when the unfortunate Scott-Morriss received a red card just before half-time. I say unfortunate because the card was later overturned on appeal. Then after a half of pressure against 10-men, we get a fortunate winner with a 94th minute own goal. Long may it continue, though I think this team is more than capable of winning games without the requisite luck.
After three seasons away, Rochdale were promoted back to the EFL, when they won the National League play-off Final. Things have not gone well since the promotion, as they lost manager Jim McNulty to Stockport. He has been replaced by Ian Watson, the 40-year-old joins from National League North side South Shields, where he made an immediate impact in his first full season as Manager, leading them to the Promotion Final. He was a former assistant mamager to Mike Williamson at Gateshead, MK Dons and Carlisle. It has been a poor start to the season for them, losing both league games to two of the relegation favourites, in Newport (where they failed to have a shot on target) and Crawley. Despite the change of manager, and a lot comings and goings with players in the close season, things should improve, and I don't expect a team that got 106 points last season to be making a quick return to the National League. We could see the return of two former players, Luke Hannant and 41 year-old Ian Henderson, who has proved to be an unlikely legend for them. Both were on the subs bench in the last game against Crawley.
Rochdale a brief history Founded in 1907, their nickname is 'The Dale', they have played home matches at Spotland Stadium since 1920, contesting longstanding rivalries with Bury and Oldham Athletic. Rochdale initially entered the Manchester League, moving to the Lancashire Combination in the 1908–09 season. After securing promotion out of Division Two in 1909–10 they won the Division One title in 1910–11 and 1911–12. They then switched to the Central League, before being invited into the Football League when the Third Division North was created in 1921. The club remained in the division for 37 years and became members of the new nationwide Third Division in 1958, but were relegated the following year. They reached the League Cup final in 1962 and secured promotion out of the Fourth Division in 1968–69. Relegated in 1974, Rochdale remained in the fourth tier for 36 seasons after unsuccessful play-off campaigns in 2002, 2008 and 2009. The club finally secured promotion in 2009–10 and following relegation in 2012 were promoted to the third tier for a third time in 2013–14, but were relegated back to League Two in 2020–21. After 102 years as a Football League club, they were relegated to the National League at the end of the 2022–23 season.
Head to head We have only been drawn to play Rochdale once in the FA Cup, but it gave us one the most important victories in our history. We were drawn away to Rochdale in the 4th Round of the 1970-71 season, and got a 3-3 draw, thanks to late goals from Brian Lewis (85), and Dave Simmons (87). The draw for the 5th round was made on the day of the replay, and the winners were drawn at home to Leeds. In front of a crowd of 11,205, Colchester rose to the occasion, and won 5-0, to set up the Leeds game on Saturday 13th February.
In the League encounters we have played each other 52 times, with the U's just edging it with 19 wins over Rochdale with 14 wins, and the other 19 games ending in draws. The last time we played at home to them in 2022 we lost 1-0. It was Rochdale's first win of the season at the 10th attempt, and they finished the season being relegated.
They have played for both Several notable footballers have turned out for both Colchester and Rochdale during their careers.
Ian Henderson Scored a highly respectable 26 goals for the U's before cementing his legacy as Rochdale's all-time leading scorer. He hit his milestone 160th goal for Rochdale in May 2025 and helped them achieve promotion back to League Two in mid-2026.
David Perkins The central midfielder played for Rochdale in 2007–2008, with 60 appearances and 6 goals, before transferring to Colchester, where he made 79 league appearances and scored 7 goals.
Luke Hannant A consistent squad player during his two seasons with Colchester, where he is best remember for scoring the only goal in the Carabao Cup win against Ipswich. He moved to Rochdale in March 2026. He played a small but vital role down the final stretch, scoring 3 times to help Dale win the National League play-off final in May 2026.
John-Kymani Gordon Signed permanently by Colchester in 2024, his 3 goals all came during his first season. He was sent out on a brief short-term loan to Rochdale in March 2026 to get more playing time.
Ritchie Jones The former Manchester United youngster had spells playing in the Football League for Colchester 6 appearances on loan in 2006, and later 3 appearances for Rochdale in 2013.
Ernie Cooksey While he learned his trade as a young trainee in Colchester's youth ranks, he was released before playing a senior game. At Rochdale, however, he became a true fan favourite, hitting exactly 100 appearances and winning the club's Player of the Year award.
Andy Farrell The reliable Essex-born midfielder broke through Colchester's youth academy to make over 100 league appearances. Towards the tail-end of his playing days, he had a brief, quieter 16-game stint with Rochdale before retiring.
Alex Newby The winger played for Rochdale 2020-22, where he made 74 apperances, and scored 12 goals. Moved to Colchester 2022-24 and scored 3 goals in 34 appearances.
Simon Hackney The winger joined Rochdale in 2011, where he made just 2 appearances, after previously playing for Colchester 2009-11, where he made 35 appearances and scored 1 goal..
Michael Rose The defender moved to Colchester in 2011 and made 36 appearances with 2 goals. Signed for Rochdale in 2013 where he made 118 appearances and scored 8 goals.
Predictions Unless there were any injuries in the Oldham game that we don't know about, I would expect Danny to stick with the same side, as he likes to stay with a winning team. I think Leon Chiwome will eventually be the lone striker, but this week could be too early for that. The only other possible change could be Sesay replacing Hunt, after his impressive performance in the Oldham game.
The team:- Lo-Tutala Vincent-Young Raggett Tucker Iandalo Hunt Digby Thorn Payne Anderson Ihoinvien
Subs:- Smith Chiwome Connolly Kuffour Sesay Terry Williams
For the result, I am going for the U's to win 2-0, against a low on confidence Rochdale, with goals from Payne and Raggett.
Weather watch It doesn't look good, with thundery showers, and a moderate (17mph) breeze, and a tempreature of 22C.
mfb
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Dale to Roch back up north with 0 points on 07:20 - Aug 28 with 1594 views
Funny old game isn’t it. We’ve had recent seasons where we’d have no points at all so far. Great preview mfb, reckon you’ve nailed the played for both category. I’m not expecting an easy game tomorrow, particularly if Dale start finding their rhythm in League 2.
Cracking review mfb. I didn't know that we beat Rochdale in a replay to set up the Leeds tie.
Rochdale were my first ever Col U victory. My first game was a 2-1 defeat to Peterborough on Boxing Day 1988. My second game was a 2-0 defeat against Sheffield United in the FA Cup and Rochdale was my third game. It was a Friday night game and I was there with my primary school to receive a kit donated by the Sporting U's. Had a photo on the pitch before the match with the great Tony Willoughby presenting us with the kit. Col U then won 3-0 with all three goals coming in the second half. Great memories.
Dale to Roch back up north with 0 points on 12:56 - Aug 28 by RSCOSWORTH
Cracking review mfb. I didn't know that we beat Rochdale in a replay to set up the Leeds tie.
Rochdale were my first ever Col U victory. My first game was a 2-1 defeat to Peterborough on Boxing Day 1988. My second game was a 2-0 defeat against Sheffield United in the FA Cup and Rochdale was my third game. It was a Friday night game and I was there with my primary school to receive a kit donated by the Sporting U's. Had a photo on the pitch before the match with the great Tony Willoughby presenting us with the kit. Col U then won 3-0 with all three goals coming in the second half. Great memories.
What amazes me about the Rochdale FA Cup game was that after playing on Saturday afternoon at their place, the replay was Monday evening! Footballers (and supporters) back then were made of sterner stuff...
According to the Dale forum, today’s referee is Declan Bourne. As far as I can tell the last time he officiated a U’s game was the calamitous Barrow match back in November 2023. McGeehan gave the U’s the lead, only for Will Greenidge to equalise for Barrow with an own goal. The wheels really came off in the final minutes though. After a second yellow for Fevrier on 84 minutes, George Ray gave the visitors the lead, and as we pressed for an equaliser bagged a second in injury time to make it safe. Our misery was compounded by a second own goal by Zach Mitchell right at the death. In addition to six yellow cards (seven if you count Jayden’s second) Bourne also red-carded Barrow manager Pete Wild on the stroke of halftime.
Dale to Roch back up north with 0 points on 17:00 - Aug 29 by CrashBandicoot
1-0 to the Us so 3 more points. Jaden Williams the scorer so good to see him get off the mark.
[Post edited 29 Aug 17:03]
Took it really well too. Rochdale are a better side than their position suggests, and I don't think we were firing on all cylinders, but another 3pts and a clean sheet. Brizzle Rovers will be a tough trip though.
Dale to Roch back up north with 0 points on 14:02 - Aug 28 by wessex_exile
What amazes me about the Rochdale FA Cup game was that after playing on Saturday afternoon at their place, the replay was Monday evening! Footballers (and supporters) back then were made of sterner stuff...
Rochdale had beaten Coventry in the previous round so fancied their chances of progressing. Remember the BBC vidi printer, ( looked like a jumping frog ) showed the U’s 3-1 down at 16-40, and late coming in with a three all draw. The cup draw then was made on the Monday lunchtime, the same day has the reply with an either or home tie against Leeds. A stunning non ticket crowd a few hours later saw the U’s completely dominate there opponents and should have had the tie won well before half time .
One wonders how they gained over hundred points last season unless the squad has dramatically changed in preseason, only two tame shots directly at the keeper being the token efforts. U’s looked comfortable without doing damage until Williams side footed strike from a cross stunning went inside the post. Williams impressed again when coming on for Thorn who when he was transferred to Lincoln needed to turn assists into more goals. Two welcome home wins has seen us get a better start than usual, now with two away games if the organised defence can keep more clean sheets under home side pressure.
I must say the quality of Match Preview Reports are suitably honoring Durham’s memory.
I was fortunate on Saturday. Trekked down to Epping with Colchester & East Essex CC and it pelted down with rain on arrival. Thankfully the umpires had the wisdom to soon realise the weather was terminal permitting me to race to the Jobserve Stadium.
I’m not convinced by Bradley. Still too lightweight and ineffective. My takeaway was the defence looked solid and inspired substitutions secured the win. But it will be a greater test at Bristol on Tuesday. I will make that one, but will miss Swindon as it’s the last cricket fixture in Castle Park where Colchester host Essex Premier League Champions elect, Hutton CC, who need a win to snatch the title from Chelmsford.
Colchester need a win or (up to) five bonus points in defeat to avoid relegation. However, should Hornchurch beat Buckhurst Hill Colchester will already be safe and the latter relegated. In the event of a Buckhurst Hill victory, Colchester are currently three points clear of Hornchurch and only need to match their aggregate points total to guarantee safety as they have more seasons wins.
With so much riding on the outcome, it’s a massive fixture in Castle Park. Free admission, free parking, and an excellent pavilion bar. Superb 50 limited overs cricket. It’s also an opportunity to witness Joe MacGregor top the leading run-getter table for the second consecutive year, a feat we think is unique in the Essex Premier League history. Why county cricket has overlooked his talents escapes me. I’d pay money to watch him.
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Dale to Roch back up north with 0 points on 11:36 - Aug 30 with 929 views
Dale to Roch back up north with 0 points on 18:55 - Aug 29 by bwildered
One wonders how they gained over hundred points last season unless the squad has dramatically changed in preseason, only two tame shots directly at the keeper being the token efforts. U’s looked comfortable without doing damage until Williams side footed strike from a cross stunning went inside the post. Williams impressed again when coming on for Thorn who when he was transferred to Lincoln needed to turn assists into more goals. Two welcome home wins has seen us get a better start than usual, now with two away games if the organised defence can keep more clean sheets under home side pressure.
Their manager from last season left to take over at Stockport.
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