A late Connor McBride goal secured a vital 2-1 victory for Rochdale against FC Halifax Town at the Crown Oil Arena, propelling them up the National League table. The pulsating encounter saw momentum swing between the two sides before the home side ultimately snatched all three points in a dramatic finale.
The opening exchanges were cagey, with both teams feeling each other out. The match’s tempo increased in the 11th minute when Halifax defender Adam Senior was booked for a rash challenge. This sparked a more physical spell, with Rochdale’s Tarryn Allarakhia also receiving a yellow card for a foul just eight minutes later. Despite the stop-start nature of the half, Rochdale began to assert their dominance. Their pressure finally paid off in the 40th minute when a well-constructed move culminated in Ryan East assisting Kyron Gordon to break the deadlock, sending the home support into raptures. Rochdale’s joy was almost immediately tempered when Kairo Mitchell received a yellow card just before the half-time whistle, leaving his side potentially vulnerable for the second half.
Halifax emerged after the break with renewed vigour, determined to find an equaliser. Rochdale manager Jimmy McNulty responded by introducing Kyle Ferguson for Jili Buyabu in the 74th minute, seemingly aiming to bolster his midfield. Halifax also made changes, and the arrival of Tom Pugh in the 71st minute proved crucial. He provided the assist for Billy Waters to level the scores in the 76th minute, silencing the home crowd. With the game hanging in the balance, both teams pressed for a winner. The decisive moment arrived in the 81st minute. Tarryn Allarakhia, despite his earlier booking, turned provider, setting up Connor McBride for a clinical finish that restored Rochdale’s lead. McBride’s goal proved to be the winner, withstanding further late substitutions from both sides.
The victory sees Rochdale leapfrog Halifax in the National League standings, moving up to 4th place with 27 points, having capitalised on their game in hand. Halifax remain in 7th place on 23 points.