Fleetwood boss Sheridan celebrates win at Dale

Posted Wednesday, March 21, 2018 by PA

John Sheridan celebrated his first victory as Fleetwood boss with a 2-0 win at Rochdale despite claiming it was his side’s worst performance.

The Cod Army manager expressed his disappointment with a poor first-half showing and his players responded by scoring twice after the break.

Paddy Madden and Jordy Hiwula put Dale to the sword and dealt the home side a heavy blow in their bid for Sky Bet League One safety.

“It was actually the worst we have played since I came to the club and we’ve ended up winning 2-0,” Sheridan said.

“I was disappointed with the first half, both teams just seemed to cancel each other out. We had been creating chances in previous games but I don’t think we had a shot on target in the first half. At the break it was the first time I have probably been myself with the players, I let them know a few things and told them the game was there for them if they wanted it.

“I told them they needed to give 10 or 15 per cent more and that’s what they’ve given me. We played on the front foot a little bit more, got in their faces and created chances.

“Kyle Dempsey did brilliantly for the goal, he’s hit the target and made the keeper make a save and Paddy has done what he does in the six-yard box. We got a lot of confidence from that.”

After a dire first half, an injury to Dale midfielder Andy Cannon resulted in a lengthy delay early in the second period.

Cannon was carried off with a suspected fractured cheekbone and on the resumption of play, Fleetwood were the better side. Ashley Eastham saw a header saved by Josh Lillis. The Dale keeper also kept out Kyle Dempsey’s shot, only to see Madden head home the loose ball.

Dale rarely threatened Alex Cairns in the Fleetwood goal for all their possession and the visitors made the game safe in the 89th minute when Bobby Grant teed up fellow substitute Hiwula to slot home.

“I don’t think it’s good for Andy – I’m led to believe he has fractured his cheekbone,” said Dale boss Keith Hill when asked about Cannon.

“He was going for an X-ray after the game and if that is the case then he’d be out for the rest of the season, which is such a shame as he’s in good form. I just hope he’s healthy and that he recovers.

“For me the game wasn’t a great game. I said at half time it’s not a good performance, but it can be a real hard-working performance where you really get a good result out of it. But we didn’t.”