Rochdale continued their strong start to the English Football League Two season with a confident 2-1 win away at Fleetwood Town on 26 September 2026. At Highbury Stadium, the visitors produced a disciplined and clinical display to take all three points against a Fleetwood side that struggled to find fluency.

Match Overview

Rochdale took the lead in the 12th minute when Alex Newby latched onto a through ball and finished calmly past the Fleetwood goalkeeper. Fleetwood responded well and equalised in the 38th minute through a header from a corner, but Rochdale regained control after the break. The winning goal arrived in the 67th minute, a well-worked move finished off by midfielder Liam Kelly. Fleetwood pushed for a late equaliser but found Rochdale's defence resolute.

Key Moments

• 12' – Alex Newby opens the scoring for Rochdale with a composed finish.
• 38' – Fleetwood Town equalise from a corner, heading in at the near post.
• 67' – Liam Kelly scores the winner for Rochdale after a slick passing move.
• 84' – Fleetwood's best chance of the second half is cleared off the line.
• 90+3' – Rochdale see out five minutes of stoppage time to secure the win.

Tactical Story

Rochdale employed a high-pressing 4-3-3 that disrupted Fleetwood's attempts to play out from the back. The midfield trio worked tirelessly to win the ball back quickly, and their quick transitions caused problems all afternoon. Fleetwood, by contrast, were often too slow in possession and struggled to break down a well-organised Rochdale back four. The home side's best moments came from set-pieces, but they lacked a consistent attacking rhythm.

Standout Players

Alex Newby was a constant threat for Rochdale, combining sharp movement with excellent finishing. Liam Kelly controlled the tempo in midfield and scored the decisive goal. For Fleetwood, centre-back James Bolton was solid defensively and a threat in the opposition box, but the team's forward players were largely kept quiet by Rochdale's disciplined defence.

League Two Table Impact

This victory lifts Rochdale into the League Two play-off places and strengthens their promotion credentials. Fleetwood Town remain in mid-table and will need to improve their home form if they are to challenge for a top-seven finish. The result also extends Rochdale's unbeaten run on the road, a statistic that could prove crucial in the coming months.