Rochdale made it through to round three of the Carabao Cup thanks to an excellent 2-0 win over League One side Shrewsbury Town.
Manager Robbie Stockdale made a few changes to the side that beat Northampton on Saturday as he welcomed back three of the four covid positive players into the squad in Aidy White, Jim McNulty and Conor Grant, all of which were on the bench while Joel Coleman made his debut, replacing Jay Lynch in net. Jeriel Dorsett and Danny Cashman also got starts while Jake Beesley returned to the side following concussion protocol.
Dale were much the better side throughout the game to be perfectly honest and had the first chance of the game when Max Taylor of all people had got forward enough to shoot wide of goal after just seven minutes.
Joel Coleman was called into action a couple of minutes later when for Dale loan player Ethan Ebanks-Landell headed on target but straight at the Dale keeper.
Dale began to enjoy more possession but failed to make it count. Abraham Odoh had two efforts that were off target in the opening 20 minutes or so.
The visitors were attacking the opposite end to where the away fans were and there was an almighty goalmouth scramble on the half hour mark and I was just waiting for the net to bulge but it never did. God knows who was in the thick of it though.
Odoh did brilliantly to set Jimmy Keohane away but Swiss Army Jimmy's shot was wide of the target as half time approached.
Goalless at half time but Dale had done well. Morley and Dooley were running things in midfield while Cashman and Odoh were causing problems and the defence looked organised and solid.
Shrewsbury could, and probably should have gone ahead just after the restart when Cosgrove blazed an effort over the bar from inside the box.
They did have the ball in the net s few minutes later but the referee blew for a clear foul on Coleman.
Dale began to take control once again and Aaron Morley shot straight at Marosi after some good link up play with Beesley and Cashman.
Morley again had a chance just after the hour mark but he curled his effort high over the bar after another flowing Dale attack.
Dale were certainly knocking on the door and were finally rewarded on 66 minutes when they were awarded a penalty. Jake Beesley broke into the box and was brought down just before shooting and Shrewsbury's Matthew Pennington was quite rightly given a red card and a penalty was given. Beesley stepped up and with a Harry Kane style run up, he beautifully placed it with power past Marosi to give Rochdale a 1-0 lead!
Stockdale made his first change of the game with Abraham Odoh making way for Alex Newby on 74 minutes and just three minutes later, it was "the Chorley Cruyff" with an inch perfect cross to find the head of Danny Cashman to make it 2-0 to Dale. I doubt we'll see Cashman score many headers but the ball in was that score he couldn't miss for his first professional goal.
That was Cashman's last action of the night as he was replaced by Josh Andrews on 80 minutes as Dale went with two up front.
Substitute Andrews almost added to his goal at the weekend with another but he dragged his shot wide of the target having been set up well by Newby. He really should have scored in stoppage time when he was afforded a free header but his header was straight at Marosi.
Dale made their final substitution in stoppage time as Ethan Brierley replaces Stephen Dooley.
The final whistle went and Dale had booked their place in the draw for round three with a convincing win.
Games are coming thick and fast now and Dale are are home on Friday to Colchester United.
PLAYER RATINGS:
Joel Coleman - 6 (One shaky moment when he was closed down quicker than he could clear the ball but otherwise did ok)
Corey O'Keefe - 6 (Had an ongoing battle with Leahy all game but did alright)
Juriel Dorsett - 7 (Solid performance on his first start)
Eoghan O'Connell - 7 (very good tonight from the Captain)
Max Taylor - 7 (Another good performance)
Jimmy Keohane - 6 (Did alright)
Aaron Morley - 7 (Had a lot more time on the ball and did well)
Stephen Dooley - 7 (One of Dooley's better matches)
Danny Cashman - 7 (Thought he was very impressive tonight and deserved his goal)
Abraham Odoh - 7 (Continued his very impressive start to the season)
Jake Beesley - 7 (Tireless performance and capped off with a goal as well)
SUBS:
Alex Newby - 7 (Excellent again, perfect ball for the assist for Cashman)
Josh Andrews - 6 (Should have scored really)
Ethan Brierley - not on long enough