Rochdale 1, Crawley Town 2: Reds get season up and running with win at Dale
Crawley Town are up and running in League Two after a 2-1 success at Rochdale.
The Reds got their first points on the board courtesy of goals from Pemi Aderoju and Louie Watson.
Crawley manager Colin Kazim-Richards made six changes from the Reds’ 1-0 home loss to Crewe Alexandra last weekend, with new loan signing Kai Jennings slotting straight into midfield to make his debut.
Crawley opened the scoring on eight minute through Pemi Aderoju, the Peterborough loanee poking home from six yards into the bottom right corner.
Dale had their first chance of the game just before the 20-minute mark when Dajaune Brown headed straight at Reds stopper Nicholas Michalski.
As the first half ebbed away there was nothing to choose between the sides. The Reds looked to play on the counter while Rochdale kept putting balls into the Crawley box.
Ethan Ebanks-Landell fired Rochdale level with a bullet header ten minutes into the second half following a corner.
The Reds looked to regain the lead quickly. Jude Arthurs’ shot was blocked before Watson headed over.
Crawley were awarded a penalty in the 70th minute when Aderoju was brought down in the box. Watson stepped up and, with a stuttered run, converted into the bottom left corner.
In the final minute of normal time, Crawley goalkeeper Michalski crucially tipped away a cross from the oncoming Mani Dieseruvwe.
The Reds host Bristol Rovers next Saturday.