In their new white and red away strip, within two minutes at Spotland Barnet were one goal up, thanks to a well struck effort from an acute angle by Adam Birchall, but Rochdale came back with two goals as half time approached to put the home side in pole position. The Dale managed to pierce the Barnet rearguard one further time in the second period and there could be few complaints that they were worthy of the three points.

Joe Devera lined up at left back, replacing the suspended Kenny Gillet whilst Joe Tabiri retained his place in the side on the left of midfield.

Following the opening goal of the game Barnet took much of the play to Rochdale with Albert Adomah looking to have the beating of the left back and with one attacking foray he set up Luke Medley only for his effort to be deemed offside. Tabiri should have scored when he was presented with an opportunity by Birchall, only for his attempt on goal to go wide of the target. This was a crucial moment in deciding the outcome because within ten minutes Rochdale were level.

In the 38th minute a quickly taken throw in deceived the Barnet defence which allowed the skilful Adam Rundle to fairly lash the ball with his left foot into the net.

With only a minute remaining of the first half the home side went ahead. The Rochdale midfielder, Gary Jones, who was influential all afternoon, with perhaps a suspicion of handball, collected the ball and threaded through a pass to Chris Dagnall who hit his shot with power, diagonally into the roof of the net from outside the penalty area.

In the second half Rochdale were able to keep Barnet at bay and used the ball intelligently to carve out goal scoring chances of their own. A Medley effort that went for a corner and a fine run down the left by Devera gave a glimmer of hope that the Bees could draw level. 

However midway through the second half a long kick by the Rochdale keeper Sam Russell landed behind the Bees defence where Jon Shaw reacted the quicker and in an instant his strike was rippling the net. Three excellent finishes by Rochdale.

Had Tabiri extended the Bees lead in the first half the result could have been so different. The home crowd were getting a little restless as their side had yet to score a goal all season. Once the Dale drew level however they seemed to step up a gear as their confidence returned and their finishing was of a high order.

Worthy of praise? Michael Leary performed well in his role as a centre back. He won more than his fair share of headers, displayed controlled aggression all afternoon and did not give the ball away cheaply: also no Barnet player received a caution.

Barnets's next fixture is a tough local derby against Brentford next Saturday at Underhill, themselves 4-0 winners this weekend over Grimsby Town and the Bees will surely be looking to improve all round on this performance to get their season fully underway.

David Bloomfield