Three and easy for Blackburn at Rochdale

Posted Sunday, September 10, 2017 by PA

Blackburn recorded a third straight win with a comfortable 3-0 victory against Rochdale at the Crown Oil Arena.

Richie Smallwood's 10th-minute opener was followed by second-half strikes from Marcus Antonsson and Danny Graham as Rochdale remained winless.

The visitors took the lead when Smallwood volleyed Elliott Bennett's cross past Brendan Moore from eight yards.

Rovers could have doubled their lead before the break with Antonsson curling an effort wide of the far post and Dominic Samuel seeing his cross-shot palmed over by Moore.

After the break, Antonsson was denied by Moore when he met Craig Conway's cross from the left at the back post with a downward header.

But the Swede went one better in the 57th minute when Samuel's goalbound header was deflected into his path off the back of Jim McNulty and he stroked home a neat finish from seven yards.

MJ Williams struck the crossbar for the home side but the game was up in the 80th minute when Harry Chapman's attempt to dribble the ball into the area was foiled by Moore - but the goalkeeper spilled possession to substitute Graham, who rounded him and slotted into the empty net.