ALDERSHOT TN 2

ROCHDALE 4

IT was anything but 'Fortress Rec' as Rochdale took a 4-0 lead into the interval on Saturday, leaving Aldershot to concentrate on damage-limitation in the second half.

Home fans at the renamed EBB Stadium could scarcely believe their eyes as Rochdale teenager Joe Thompson struck a hat-trick in 17 minutes.

And with Ciaran Toner getting in on the act just before half-time, Aldershot can be said to have endured their worst 45 minutes on home turf since the club's formation.

Rochdale had previously lost three successive games on the road, but this display marked them out as serious contenders for promotion.

Aldershot showed a fatal hesitancy in defence and the visitors took full advantage, scoring in the 17th, 23rd and 34th minutes.

All came from Thompson, and all were courtesy of crosses from the right by Nicky Adams.

The first was a corner and Aldershot manager Gary Waddock could hardly have been impressed as Thompson rose highest to score with a glancing header off the inside of the far post.

It was the start of a traumatic period for the Shots.

Within a minute, Chris Dagnall was denied by the woodwork.

Then Aldershot lost possession on the left and a low centre from Adams was dispatched into the net from close range by Thompson.

A third goal followed on 34 minutes – and all this before Aldershot had managed a shot in anger.

A strong run by Scott Wiseman gave Adams another opportunity to measure his cross and Thompson did the rest with a header from five yards.

The Shots belatedly came to life and Rhys Day got on the end of a Scott Davies free-kick to force a good tip-over save from Frank Fielding.

However, Aldershot faced a hopeless task after conceding a fourth goal from the last action of the half.

Mikhael Jaimez-Ruiz, who had just made a top-class save from Adams, again did well to block Will Buckley's shot, but the ball broke to Toner who crashed home a superb shot from 25 yards.

A shell-shocked Aldershot were fortunate to escape further punishment early in the second half.

Defender Rory McArdle hit the crossbar with a looping header and Dagnall was unlucky with a brilliant effort that crashed into the stanchion outside the goal.

Aldershot were at least competitive in this half, with Marvin Morgan now leading the line and Andy Sandell adding a bit of pep to the midfield.

The two substitutes featured in a face-saving goal after 75 minutes.

Sandell did the spadework inside his own half and made good ground before releasing Kirk Hudson on the right and the resulting low cross found Morgan sliding in to score at the near post.

Morgan had made a difference and, six minutes later, the beanpole striker was brought down inside the box by Nathan Stanton who was sent off by referee Clive Penton for a professional foul. Davies hammered home the penalty for his 12th goal of the season.

The goals came too late to rattle Rochdale, although Aldershot thought they had a strong case for another penalty when the persistent Morgan appeared to be hustled off the ball.

Aldershot: Jaimez-Ruiz, Blackburn, Day (Sandell 58), Charles, Howell, Soares, Davies, Newman (Donnelly 68), Hudson, Grant, Hylton (Morgan 46). Subs (not used): Straker, Elvins. Booked: Newman, Charles.

Rochdale: Fielding, Wiseman, Stanton, McArdle, Kennedy, Thompson, Gary Jones, Toner, Adams (Ramsden 82), Dagnall (Le Fondre 72), William Buckley (Rundle 62). Subs (not used): Keltie, McEvilly. Sent off: Stanton (80).

Attendance: 3,018.

Referee: Clive Penton (Sussex).