Saturday 18th October | Enterprise National League | Crown Oil Arena

A first-half brace from Mani Dieseruvwe and a goal from Ryan East ensured the hosts took all three points.

Richard Dryden handed a debut to George Nurse, while Byron Pendleton and Aaron Jarvis both returned to the starting line-up. Nurse was involved immediately, launching a long throw into the box inside the opening 30 seconds, though play was halted for a foul as the ball dropped into the six-yard area.

Rochdale made an early breakthrough in the fifth minute. A sharp move down the right saw Ryan East thread a pass between the Yeovil lines for Kyron Gordon, who squared across goal for Dieseruvwe to finish from close range.

The hosts almost doubled their lead shortly after as Devante Rodney weaved his way into the area and drove a low ball across goal, but Dieseruvwe had strayed offside.

At the other end, Yeovil looked for a response. Aaron Jarvis tested the home goalkeeper from distance, his shot flashing just wide of Oliver Whatmuff’s post. The number nine then had another chance minutes later when Josh Sims crossed low into the box, but although Jarvis prodded the ball beyond Whatmuff, the effort was cleared off the line – the flag again denying him.

Rochdale continued to threaten as Kyron Gordon saw a header held by Jed Ward, and Ryan East curled narrowly wide from the edge of the area. Yeovil carved out one of their best openings soon after when Jarvis held the ball up before releasing Pendleton down the right. The winger picked out Andrew Oluwabori, who curled his first-time effort over the bar.

Rochdale’s pressure eventually told as they doubled their lead on the half-hour mark. Rodney intercepted a pass in midfield, drove forward, and slipped the ball through to Dieseruvwe, who made no mistake in slotting home his second of the afternoon and twelfth of the season.

The home side almost added a third soon after, with Rodney twice denied by Ward – the second effort brilliantly tipped onto the crossbar. Their persistence was finally rewarded just before half-time when the Glovers failed to clear their lines and Ryan East fired in from close range to make it 3-0.

Half Time: Rochdale 3-0 Yeovil Town

Dryden made one change at the interval, introducing Harvey Greenslade in place of Oluwabori.

Rochdale started the second half on the front foot, with Aidan Barlow driving into the box before firing just wide of Ward’s far post. The Glovers responded by trying to gain a foothold in possession, and George Nurse continued to cause problems with a series of dangerous crosses into the area, but the home defence stood firm.

Despite the scoreline, Yeovil showed plenty of endeavour after the restart. Luke McCormick battled hard in midfield, though he found himself in the referee’s book five minutes into the half. The visitors’ best attacking outlet came from wide areas, with Pendleton and later Alex Whittle looking to stretch play, while Aaron Jarvis worked tirelessly up front against a solid Rochdale back line.

As the half wore on, Rochdale continued to look dangerous on the break. Dieseruvwe searched for his hat-trick but was denied by a smart stop from Ward, who remained alert throughout the second period.

Dryden introduced Whittle and debutant Michee Efete for Kyle Ferguson and Josh Sims to freshen things up, and both made positive contributions down the flanks. Morgan Williams and Jarvis were later booked as the Glovers fought to the end.

Yeovil’s best moment of the half came in stoppage time. Substitute Greenslade delivered a teasing ball from the left which found McCormick inside the box. The midfielder curled a superb effort goalwards, only to see it cannon off the underside of the bar and bounce to safety – summing up the Glovers’ luck on the day.

Despite an improved second-half showing, Yeovil were unable to find a way back into the game as Rochdale held on for a 3-0 victory.

Full-Time: Rochdale 3-0 Yeovil Town
Scorers:
Rochdale – Mani Dieseruvwe (05′, 30′), Ryan East (43′)
Yeovil Town –

The Glovers now turn their attention to the Francis Hillier Premier Cup, where a mix of First Team and Academy players will travel to face Odd Down in midweek.