Dale's last pre-season match saw Keith Hill put out what you'd class as a second string side with maybe a couple of players playing for a late spot in the side for Saturday's match away at Burton.
Trialist Christian Silenzi started the match and I don't think I've ever felt as old as when I came out with, "I remember his Dad from my 1994 World Cup sticker book."
Starting 11:
...............................................Moore..............................................
......................Morley..............BBM.................Ntlhe.......................
Gillam..................................................................................Williams
......................Cannon.........Adshead.........Rathbone.........................
...............................Thompson.............Silenzi...................................
With a couple of ex Dale players watching on with the rest of us in Joe Bunney and Donal McDermott, Dale got off to a horrendous start and found themselves 2-0 down quite quickly. The first goal saw BBM turn in a low cross into his own net leaving Brendan Moore helpless.
More sloppiness from Dale saw Daniel Adshead give away possession in midfield allowing Liam Dickinson to hit one from distance over Moore into the back of the net to make it 2-0.
It wasn't all one way traffic though and Dale created chances as well. Thompson went close one on one and Silenzi smashed over the bar from close range. The young Italian had struggled to get into the game and was probably trying too hard in that he was coming far too deep to get the ball. He showed he had pace and a few nice touches but overall I'd say he struggled a little.
The right flank saw some great battles with former Dale winger Joel Logan going up against Gillam and Cannon. It was down that flank that Rochdale got back into the game as Joe Thompson got past his man brilliantly and drilled a low cross into the box where Ollie Rathbone was on hand to finish from 6 yards.
Dale were back on level terms shortly after that when Danny Adshead turned and shot from outside the area which rattled the post and fell to Matty Gillam who couldn't miss to make it 2-2.
Dale made one change at the break as Ryan Delaney replaced Christian Silenzi. This meant there was a bit of a shuffle as Kgosi went to left wing back and Jordan Williams went up front to partner Joey T.
FC United made a load of changes for the second half as well.
Dale went ahead through an own goal. No idea who turned it into their own net and even Keith Hill had to turn round and ask who had scored.
The game became a one sided affair with Dale taking control and creating plenty of chances. Cannon went close on more than one occasion, Adshead hit one wide, Jordan Williams headed over when he possibly should have hit the target but he did manage to make it 4-2 when Cannon and Kgosi linked up brilliantly and Williams was left with a tap in.
A fast paced friendly with a few hefty challenges going in from both sides with Adshead the target in the first half and Williams lucky not to have been booked in the second half with an awfully late challenge on one of the young FCUM substitutes.
Standout performers in the first half were Andy Cannon and Joe Thompson. Cannon, for me has certainly staked a claim to start on Saturday. Williams and Gillam struggled at wing back a little but Williams did play a lot better when he went up front for the second half. Kgosi Ntlhe had a very good second half at left wing back.
Quick mention for BBM as well, he scored an own goal, gave the ball away quite a bit but he was seemingly coaching on the pitch as he was constantly giving the ball to Adshead to try and get him to dictate the tempo and the 16 year old (I know, ridiculous isn't it) will have benefited a lot from that run out. And the evergreen BBM also managed a full 90 minutes!
Good run out, very much looking forward to Saturday now.