Rochdale power back to first place after dominant display against Boreham Wood

Rochdale went back top of the National League after an emphatic 4-1 win over Boreham Wood at the Crown Oil Arena.

The hosts made the perfect start, opening the scoring inside six minutes. Tobi Adebayo-Rowling delivered an inviting cross from the right, and Devante Rodney met it superbly, powering a header beyond the Boreham Wood goalkeeper for his sixth goal of the season. 

The early setback visibly animated Boreham Wood manager Luke Garrard, who was vocal on the touchline as his side tried to respond.
Rochdale continued to press and went close again on 14 minutes when a scuffed effort inside the area was worked across to Mani Dieseruvwe at close range, only for Boreham Wood to scramble the danger clear. The pressure told once more on 17 minutes, as Callum Perry tried his luck from a free-kick around 20 yards out, forcing Ashmore into a smart save.

The second goal arrived on 29 minutes and again came from sustained Rochdale pressure. A corner awarded after the referee overruled his assistant in semi-controversial fashion, proved decisive. Dieseruvwe rose above everyone to head home emphatically and double Dale’s advantage and increasing his lead in the scoring charts. 

Chances continued to fall Rochdale’s way, with Kyron Gordon flashing a quick, long-range effort narrowly wide on 39 minutes. Boreham Wood’s only moment of attacking promise came three minutes later, when a needless foul on the edge of the box gifted them a free-kick. Zak Brunt’s effort was heading for the top corner before Oliver Whatmuff produced an excellent save, palming the ball away.
Three minutes of added time were played, and Rochdale nearly capped the half with a third when Tarryn Allarkhia looked to pick out Dieseruvwe, only for the final effort to stray. At the break, Rochdale were firmly in control, their two-goal lead a fair reflection of a one-sided first half.

Rochdale picked up where they left off after the break, extending their lead early in the second half and maintaining control despite a brief Boreham Wood response.

The hosts made it 3-0 just four minutes after the restart. Dieseruvwe pounced on a loose ball, showed real strength and composure to drive past two defenders and finished confidently to all but put the game beyond Boreham Wood.

Boreham Wood were handed a lifeline on 69 minutes when a penalty was awarded following a foul by Oliver Whatmuff, the Rochdale goalkeeper also receiving a yellow card. Zak Brunt stepped up and converted confidently on 71 minutes, sending his effort into the bottom left corner to reduce the deficit to 4-1.

Any hope of a comeback was short-lived. Ian Henderson thought he had marked his introduction with a goal on 73 minutes, powering home a header, only for the flag to deny him for offside. Just two minutes later, he made sure there was no doubt. Once again, Rochdale found joy down the right, fellow sub, Aidan Barlow delivering a dangerous ball across the box which Henderson met to score Rochdale’s fourth and restore their three-goal cushion.

Tonight began a big run of three home games for Jim McNulty side as Rochdale return to league action on Saturday facing Carlisle United at the Crown Oil Arena, before Forest Green Rovers next Wednesday.