Walsall 3 : 2 Rochdale - Saddlers down spirited Dale

Posted Wednesday, February 11, 2015 by PA

Walsall almost squandered a three-goal half-time lead but held on to beat play-off rivals Rochdale 3-2 at the Banks's Stadium.

Dale made a tremendous effort to save the match and pulled two goals back in the second half, but the Saddlers held on to clinch their first home win in six attempts and move above their rivals in the Sky Bet League One table.

Walsall hit three goals in a remarkable nine-minute spell of the first half to rock the visitors, central defender James O'Connor heading them in front after 13 minutes from Anthony Forde's corner.

Six minutes later Forde added the second with a low drive which beat Josh Lillis at his near post from a superb Romaine Sawyers pass.

Then, in the 22nd minute, Jordy Hiwula, who was making his home debut on loan from Manchester City, scored his second for the Saddlers with a close-range shot after a fine move between Jordan Cook, Ben Purkiss and Adam Chambers.

Rochdale made two substitutions in the 26th minute and improved considerably.

Richard O'Donnell did well to save from Andrew Cannon and Calvin Andrew, but 10 minutes after half-time Peter Vincenti pulled one back for Dale with a close-range shot after his first effort was saved.

Big defender Ashley Eastham then grabbed a second for the visitors, scrambling the ball over the line after a 63rd-minute corner, yet they could not save a point.