Massive night at the Crown Oil Arena as Dale chase playoff glory

Thursday, 15 May 2025 10:25

By David Murphy

It’s all on the line tonight as Rochdale AFC face Southend United in a huge Vanarama National League Playoff Eliminator under the lights, in front of a packed Crown Oil Arena. Kick-off is at 7.45pm.

Tickets are on general sale and available to buy online via the club’s ticketing provider, Future Ticketing. Supporters can download their e-ticket and scan it at the turnstiles upon entry. All regular home stands are open to Rochdale fans, while Southend United have been allocated under 1,500 seats in the Willbutts Lane Stand, in line with league regulations.

The Ratcliffe Bar will open from 5pm, with food available from a barbecue kiosk provided by Scratch Catering. Hospitality packages are priced at £60 and include a welcome drink, three-course meal, and a Q&A session with former Dale manager Keith Hill. Lounge passes for the fixture are sold out. Ticket prices remain at the club’s standard matchday rates, in accordance with National League rules for playoff fixtures.

Southend arrive in Rochdale having secured the final playoff place with a goalless draw at Gateshead on the final day of the season. Kevin Maher’s side, who were as low as 15th in January, have lost just twice in their last 14 games. A nine-match unbeaten run earlier this year helped them surge up the table, and they concluded the regular campaign with more than 360 minutes of football without conceding a goal.

While their 17 league draws were the third-highest in the division, Southend have only been beaten six times away from home. Gus Scott-Morriss leads their scoring charts with 17 goals from wing-back, and April’s National League Player of the Month Ben Goodliffe, on loan from Colchester has added two goals and three clean sheets from defence. Forward Josh Walker, who scored against Dale in February’s reverse fixture, lines up alongside experienced strikers Tom Hopper and Macauley Bonne.

There is little to separate the sides in recent encounters, with one win each in National League meetings, both coming away from home and two draws. In their last clash at Roots Hall, Devante Rodney’s early goal gave Rochdale the lead, but Southend equalised late on. Across all competitions, Southend hold the edge historically, with 23 wins to Dale’s 16 from 59 matches.