A youthful and inexperienced Dale side went down 4-2 to Conference new boys Droylsden, with both goals coming from 17 year old Will Buckley. Despite an impressive first half showing, the experience showed in the second half for the non league side.

On a pleasant, sunny, but midgie filled evening at the wonderfully named Butcher's Arms ground, Keith Hill brought his whole squad with him but opted to play as pretty much an inexperienced side as he could. The only experience within the side was the returning Nathan Stanton playing his first game since April, and Dave Flitcroft who was given a midfielder berth.

We lined up somewhat surprisingly in a 3-5-2 formation, though I don't know whether this was a case of starting something new, or injuries had dictated that was all we could go with. We went with: Lloyd Rigby, Kristian Bowden, Nathan Stanton, Raphael Evans, Jerome Watt, Kyle Buckley, Dave Flitcroft, Callum Warburton, Rory Prendergast, Will Buckley, Kallum Higginbotham. We stuck with that side for the entire ninety minutes, thus again proving Keith Hill's desire for players to have a full ninety minutes in pre-season rather than just building it up.

First half was very impressive, and was certainly dominated by ourselves. Our front two of Buckley and Higginbotham were causing all sorts of problems, and both are looking excellent finds. It's early days for both players, but I wouldn't be surprised to see either of them make the first team at some stage this season.

The goals were conceded on the night pretty much came down to the defence getting ripped to pieces. Stanton was understandably a long way from first team fitness, and the two lads either side found it difficult to adapt to the three man back line.

Our first half goal came from an excellent cross from the right wing by Jerome Watt. He put a peach of a cross over for Will Buckley who timed his run beautifully for what seemed like a tap in but the finish was much more difficult than that. A good goal to score.

Second half saw Droylsden step up a gear, as they must have realised that this was a game with both attacks on top, so they may as well be the team doing the bulk of the attacking, and added to their first half tally with a couple more well taken goals causing jubilation amongst the splattering of home supporters amongst the crowd.

The last goal of the night came deservedly to our own man of the match Will Buckley. Higginbotham was put through, but with tiring legs he used his brain and switched the ball to the supporting Buckley who had no trouble in slotting it past the Droylsden keeper to make it 4-2.

So there were positives to come from this showing, notably the front two as previously mentioned. Droylsden are a decent side, but tonight they were taking on a Dale side of which none will be in our starting line up at Peterborough. We also had the first steps back to fitness for Nathan Stanton. But too many bloody midgies, mind.

Photo: Action Images

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