In the absence of the blonde haired one, it was up to Jangleberry to do the report for the final home game of the pre-season campaign...

Dale went in to the friendly with League One Huddersfield with the the new title of Champions following the midweek victory over Oldham in the Rose Bowl, and it didnt take long for Dale to show why they earned that moniker.

Dale started with Spencer in goal, a back four of Ramsden, D'Laryea, McArdle and Kennedy. In midfield were Muirhead, Crooks, Jones and the returning Rundle. The forward line was led by Adam Le Fondre and Chris Dagnall.

With a minute Adam Rundle curled a superb free kick into the corner of the goal from about 25 yards out. And within a matter of minutes Alife had capitalised on some poor play by Hudds keeper Matt Glennon to pounce and double Dale's lead.

The half carried on in much the same vain, with Hudds rarely threatening the Dale goal, though they did have a lot of possession but failed to do anything with it. To be fair chances were at a premium for both sides, and Dale only added another courtesy of the penalty spot. Dagnall was bowled over in the box, and Alfie stepped up and hit another superb penalty into the bottom corner.

Lee Crooks went off with an injury midway through the half and he was replaced in midfield by John Doolan. The half more or less petered out with no more talking points.

Half time saw trialist Jerome Watt introduced for Ben Muirhead, he again showed some good touches, but didnt see much of the ball as it seemed to be stuck to the Dale left side for most of the second half.

Adam Rundle was replaced around about the hour mark by Rory Prendergast and later on Higginbotham replaced Chris Dagnall who had seconds earlier been felled just outside the box and looked like he might be struggling.

The second half didnt really produce much either in the way of chances for either side. Hudds went close with a long range effort, but it took until the last minute for them to have a proper effort but Spencer was on top form again to produce a point blank save with an outstretched leg.

To sum up the day, another excellent win there can be no mistaking against a full strength Huddersfield side who rarely threatened, and when they did a superb performance by new signing Nathan D'Laryea kept them at bay. Dale always looked dangerous going forward, though we didnt really create many clear cut opportunities. There was only going to be one winner today and thats now two League One sides in a week conquered.

Photo: Action Images

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