Match Report: Southend United 3–2 Rochdale

A huge night under the Roots Hall lights

Southend United delivered one of their most impressive first-half performances of the season to topple league-leaders Rochdale and haul themselves back into the play-off places. Three goals inside half an hour — from Andrew Dallas, James Golding and Tom Hopper — set the tone for a breathless evening in which The Shrimpers showed both quality and resilience to claim a deserved 3–2 victory.

Kevin Maher made just one tweak to the side that beat Forest Green, bringing Sam Austin into midfield, and his team flew out of the traps with real purpose.

Blistering Beginnings

Roots Hall had barely settled when The Shrimpers carved Dale open with a sweeping move down the left. Boyes, Austin and Hopper combined sharply, releasing Boyes into space, and his low ball across the box was perfect for Dallas to guide home with trademark composure. Three minutes gone, 1–0, and the league leaders were already rocking.

The Shrimpers kept their foot firmly on the accelerator. A deep Morton free-kick caused chaos in the Rochdale box, Hopper’s attempted effort ricochetted kindly, and Golding — full of confidence after scoring at the weekend — took a touch and drilled in from 12 yards. Two goals in 17 minutes, and Southend were playing with a swagger.

Rochdale, stunned but dangerous, hit back almost immediately. Moss burst down the left and squared for Dieseruvwe, who swept in his 24th of the campaign to halve the deficit.

Rodney then fired over when well placed, but that warning shot only seemed to sharpen The Shrimpers’ focus.

Hopper Restores the Cushion

On 27 minutes, Southend struck again. Appiah-Forson threaded Dallas into the right channel, and the forward’s cross found Hopper rising at the near post. Whatmuff parried the initial header, but Hopper reacted instantly to smash in the rebound. A proper striker’s goal, and The Shrimpers’ two-goal cushion restored.

The first half continued at a frantic pace. East and Dieseruvwe both went close for the visitors, while Andeng Ndi produced a superb diving stop to deny Gordon. At the other end, Dallas saw a deflected effort held, and Golding was inches from a second when Whatmuff tipped his low drive onto the inside of the post.

Half-Time: Southend United 3–1 Rochdale

The second half began with Dallas flashing a Scott-Morriss pass wide, but Rochdale found a lifeline out of nowhere. A loose clearance dropped to Pettit 20 yards out, and he curled a stunning effort into the far corner to make it 3–2 with 55 minutes played.

That goal shifted the momentum. Dale enjoyed their best spell of possession, forcing Maher into a triple change as Kendall, Coker and Spasov entered the fray. Even so, the visitors continued to threaten, and Tyler Smith came within a whisker of levelling when he glanced a header onto the top of the bar.

Digging In, Seeing It Out

The Shrimpers responded with chances of their own — Gubbins headed over from an Austin cross — before Maher introduced Goodliffe and Bridge to help steady the ship. From there, Southend managed the game with real maturity. Rochdale pushed, probed and threw bodies forward, but they never carved out the clear opening they needed.

When the final whistle blew, Roots Hall erupted. A top-of-the-table side beaten, an unbeaten run ended, and The Shrimpers’ own momentum gathering pace.

Full-Time: Southend United 3–2 Rochdale

A statement win. A performance full of energy, bravery and belief. And a return to the play-off places with eight games to go.

Next stop: Altrincham — and The Shrimpers head there looking every inch a side on the rise.

Line-Ups

Southend United

Starting XI: Andeng Ndi, Scott-Morriss (Kendall 66′), Taylor, Golding, Gubbins, Boyes, Appiah-Forson (Bridge 88′), Morton, Austin (Goodliffe 88′), Dallas (Coker 66′), Hopper (Spasov 67′)

Subs: Goodliffe, Bridge, Walker, Spasov, Kendall, Mawene, Coker

Rochdale

Starting XI: Whatmuff, Gordon, Ebanks-Landell, Perry, Allarakhia (McBride 88′), East, Pettit (Francis 82′), Barlow (Smith 45′), Moss, Dieseruvwe, Rodney (Henderson 82′)

Subs: Tutonda, Burger, McBride, Hosannah, Francis, Smith, Henderson

Goals

Southend United: Dallas 4’, Golding 17’, Hopper 27’
Rochdale: Dieseruvwe 20’, Pettit 55’

Yellow Cards

Southend United: —
Rochdale: Gordon 17’

Match Officials

Referee: Charles Breakspear
Assistant Referee 1: Alexander Shipp
Assistant Referee 2: Paul Kelly
Fourth Official: Andrew Hickman

Attendance

7,259 (170 away)

National League Table