In a pre-season friendly match, Dale faced FC Halifax Town at the Crown Oil Arena. The visitors took an early lead, scoring two quickfire goals within seven minutes. Zak Gilsenan's free-kick from a tight angle found its way into the far top corner of Sam Waller’s goal in the fifth minute, followed by Trialist B sweeping home a low cross just two minutes later. Despite these setbacks, Dale showed resilience and determination to fight back.
Ian Henderson and Luke Hannant were instrumental in leveling the score for Dale. Hannant nearly pulled one back in the 11th minute after Waller played an excellent ball over the Halifax defence, but his effort narrowly missed the far post. The turning point came in the 25th minute when Casey Pettit switched play to Silcott-Duberry on the left. He pulled the ball back to Jenkins who drove forward and dinked the ball over goalkeeper True Grant, with Henderson on hand to chest home from close range.
Waller managed to keep out Gilsenan's curling effort from distance, while Grant was equal to Hannant’s diving header at the other end. Hannant then hit the woodwork with a side-footed effort off the underside of the bar, and the rebound fell for Silcott-Duberry who saw his header cleared off the line.
Hannant's persistence paid off in the 37th minute when he headed home from Silcott-Duberry’s cross at the back post. However, the game took an unexpected turn just before halftime with Jenkins going down injured and needing a stretcher to leave the field.
The visitors regained their lead three minutes after the break as Arian Allen slid in at the back post to divert a cross from the right beyond Waller. Despite pushing for an equalizer, Dale was reduced to ten men when Hannant and a Halifax trialist were sent off for an altercation off the ball. The game ended with both teams having 10 players on the field.
Dale's pre-season came to a close with this match against FC Halifax Town, setting them up well for their upcoming Carabao Cup preliminary round match against Tranmere Rovers.
