Final friendly ends in narrow defeat as injury and red cards mar closing warm-up
Rochdale’s final pre-season match ended in a 3-2 defeat as the home side recovered from an early two-goal deficit to draw level before half-time, only for the visitors to regain the lead after the interval. The game at the Crown Oil Arena was also disrupted by a significant injury which required a stretcher and by two red cards after an off-the-ball incident in the second half.
The visitors stormed into a 2-0 lead inside seven minutes. Zak Gilsenan opened the scoring in the fifth minute with a curling free-kick that beat Sam Waller at the near post. Two minutes later a visiting trialist finished from close range to make it 2-0.
Rochdale fought back. Ian Henderson reduced the deficit in the 25th minute when he converted from close range after Jenkins had driven forward and dinked the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper. Later in the first period, Luke Hannant headed home to level the match, with the referee bringing the half to an early close after Jenkins went down and had to be carried off on a stretcher following what appeared to be a knee problem.
After the break, the visitors reclaimed the lead within minutes when Arian Allen slid in at the back post to divert a cross beyond Waller. The second half also saw a confrontation away from the ball which resulted in two players being sent off — Rochdale’s Luke Hannant and a Halifax trialist — leaving both sides reduced to ten men.
The home side had further chances to force another equaliser but were unable to find the net, and the match finished 3-2 to the visitors in front of what the club described as a healthy pre-season crowd.
- Score: Rochdale 2–3 Visitors
- Key incidents: early brace conceded, Hannant and Henderson goals, bench stretcher for Jenkins, two sendings-off
- Venue: Crown Oil Arena
Managerial and squad assessment will now move into the final days before competitive action begins. Pre-season fixtures are used to sharpen match fitness, try tactical patterns and finalise recruitment; the injury to Jenkins and the dismissals are matters the club will review ahead of the opening league fixtures.
| Minute | Event | Player |
|---|---|---|
| 5' | Free-kick goal | Zak Gilsenan |
| 7' | Close-range finish (trialist) | Visiting trialist |
| 25' | Tap-in | Ian Henderson |
| ~37' | Header — equaliser | Luke Hannant |
| ~48' | Back-post diversion | Arian Allen |
| Second half | Red cards (off-the-ball incident) | Luke Hannant; Halifax trialist |
Supporters awaiting the competitive campaign will be concerned to learn of Jenkins’ stretcher-assisted departure; the club has not released a formal medical update. Rochdale’s preparations now move toward the opening fixtures, with this match providing both encouragement from a spirited comeback and reminders about areas needing attention.
