Southport 1-2 Rochdale

Dale today finished their Pre-Season preperations with a 2-1 victory over Southport.

The conditions certainly weren't condusive to a good game of football but the two teams got on with it. It wasn't the strongest Dale team with McArdle, Stanton, Jones, Shaw and Rundle all missing out.

Indeed, it was Southport who struck first albeit after poor defending and a goal mouth scramble. Dale were all over the place and the conditions seemed to affect us more than Southport.

It really wasn't the most entertaining game and I'm struggling to think of anything of note to comment on. Still we equalised in the second half with ALF setting up Daggers for an easy goal.

Then right at the end as the game was drifting out to nothingness and a fair few Dale fans had left Thorpe popped up with the winner. And so pre-season finished in a rather dull manner it has to be said.

It was a welcome boost to see the returning Thorpe though, it must be said. New signing Shaw has yet to set the world alight, although I am far from judging him at this early stage. I really do feel Thorpe coud prove a very important player for us this season coming off the bench and providing us with some real presence up top.

Just a week to go!