Dan Moss and Dajaune Brown Fire Rochdale Past Oldham 2026

Key Points

• Ian Watson heaped praise on his Rochdale players following their 2-0 victory over Oldham Athletic in a Greater Manchester derby.
• Dan Moss put Rochdale ahead in the seventh minute at the Crown Oil Arena.
• Dajaune Brown doubled their lead in the 62nd minute after Baba Adeeko won the ball in midfield.
• This ensured that Rochdale climbed out of the bottom of the League Two table.
• The win was Rochdale’s second in League Two this season.
• Oldham Atheltic created chances but failed to take them, especially Mike Fondop in the first half.
• There were 6,121 people present at the game.
• Rochdale ended up with 48.6 per cent possession and seven shots, while Oldham had 51.4 per cent possession and 17 shots on target.
• This win followed demands from Rochdale supporters to sack Watson after their last home game ended in a 4-1 loss.

Oldham (Manchester Mirror) September 19, 2026 — Ian Watson praised Rochdale’s players after his side secured a 2-0 victory over Oldham Athletic in the first Football League meeting between the Greater Manchester rivals since January 2022.

Dan Moss put Rochdale ahead after seven minutes before Dajaune Brown added a second goal shortly after the hour mark. The result gave Rochdale an important home victory and lifted them from the bottom of the League Two table.

The result was particularly significant for Watson because pressure had increased around the manager following Rochdale’s previous home fixture, a 4-1 defeat in which supporters called for him to leave. Moss’s early goal eased the tension inside the Crown Oil Arena and gave the home side a platform from which to control the derby.

The match ended 2-0, with Rochdale scoring once in each half. Moss’s goal was recorded in the seventh minute, while Brown’s strike came shortly after the hour mark.

How did Dan Moss give Rochdale the lead?

Rochdale took control of the match with an early attack down the right. Charlie Tasker and Jonny Smith combined before Tasker delivered a low ball behind the retreating Oldham defence.

Moss met the delivery and swept the ball into the roof of the net. The early finish gave Rochdale the advantage before Oldham had established a rhythm and immediately changed the atmosphere around the stadium.

The opening goal was credited with an assist involving Kane Taylor in the match summary. The wider move involved Tasker and Smith.

The goal also placed pressure on Oldham to respond. The visitors had more possession overall and produced more attempts during the match, but Rochdale’s early defensive organisation prevented them from turning that pressure into goals.

What chances did Oldham miss?

Oldham came close to equalising in the first half after an error by Rochdale goalkeeper Nils Ramming. Keenan Appiah-Forson dispossessed Ramming before Mike Fondop received the ball with an open goal available.

Fondop slid his effort wide of the post, missing one of Oldham’s clearest opportunities of the afternoon. The chance could have changed the direction of the match, but Rochdale retained their advantage.

Oldham continued to threaten after half-time. Kane Drummond sent a delivery across the face of goal, but the ball evaded both Fondop and substitute Calum Kavanagh. Other Oldham efforts also failed to find the target.

Despite having 17 shots to Rochdale’s seven, Oldham managed only one attempt on target. Rochdale, by contrast, had two shots on target and converted both of them. The figures underlined the difference between creating opportunities and making them count.

Oldham also hit the woodwork twice but could not find a way past Ramming for a goal. Rochdale’s goalkeeper made one save, while Oldham goalkeeper Matt Hudson was not credited with a save.

How did Dajaune Brown score Rochdale’s second goal?

Rochdale doubled their lead shortly after the hour mark following a direct attacking move. Hudson’s kick towards the halfway line was met by Rochdale midfielder Baba Adeeko, who headed the ball forward.

Brown collected possession, advanced into the penalty area and moved beyond Oldham defender Donervon Daniels. He then struck a firm shot into the bottom corner to make it 2-0.

The goal gave Rochdale breathing space and forced Oldham to score twice if they were to take anything from the derby.

Brown’s finish also completed an efficient Rochdale performance in front of goal. The home side had fewer attempts, fewer corners and slightly less possession than Oldham, but converted its two clearest openings.

What did the match statistics show?

The match statistics showed that Oldham enjoyed a marginal advantage in possession, with 51.4 per cent compared with Rochdale’s 48.6 per cent. Oldham also had 17 shots, 30 touches inside Rochdale’s penalty area and six corners.

Rochdale had seven shots, 14 touches in the Oldham box and no corners. However, the home side produced two shots on target and scored twice, while Oldham managed one shot on target.

The teams were closely matched in several areas. Both recorded 12 tackles, while Oldham won 21 aerial duels compared with Rochdale’s 19. Rochdale committed 16 fouls, five more than Oldham.

Oldham completed 371 passes with a pass accuracy of 73.9 per cent. Rochdale completed 359 passes at 72.4 per cent. Oldham were also more active in the final third, completing 95 successful final-third passes compared with Rochdale’s 45.

Rochdale’s defensive work was reflected in their 34 clearances, compared with 25 by Oldham. The home side’s ability to protect its lead became increasingly important as Oldham pushed forward during the second half.

How important was the result for Rochdale?

The victory moved Rochdale to 16th in League Two with seven points from seven matches. Oldham remained 14th, also with seven points, but ahead on goal difference.

Before the match, Rochdale had lost four of their opening six league games and were at the bottom of the division. The win therefore provided a significant change in the immediate league picture, although the club remained close to the relegation places.

Rochdale’s record after the match stood at two wins, one draw and four defeats. The team had scored seven goals and conceded 10, giving them a goal difference of minus three.

Oldham’s record became two wins, one draw and four defeats. The visitors had scored eight goals and conceded nine. Their defeat also continued a difficult away sequence, with Oldham having lost five of their previous six away league matches and drawn the other.

What was the significance of the derby?

The fixture carried additional importance because it was the first Football League meeting between the clubs since January 2022. Oldham had been unbeaten in the previous nine league meetings against Rochdale, including matches in the National League. That run consisted of four Oldham victories and five draws.

Rochdale’s 2-0 win therefore ended a lengthy period without a league victory over their local rivals. It also gave Watson a result against Oldham at a time when pressure had been building around his position.

The attendance at the Crown Oil Arena was 6,121. Both teams used a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Watson managing Rochdale and Micky Mellon in charge of Oldham. Stephen Parkinson refereed the match.

Rochdale made changes during the match, including the introduction of Luke Hannant for Jonny Smith in the 57th minute. Oldham brought on Kavanagh for Kai Payne at half-time and made further substitutions during the second half as they attempted to recover from the two-goal deficit.

What does the result mean for Ian Watson?

The victory gives Watson immediate relief after a difficult start to the campaign. Rochdale had previously struggled for consistency, and their home defeat before the derby had led to visible frustration among supporters.

Moss’s early goal helped settle the match and reduced the pressure that might otherwise have affected Rochdale’s players. Brown’s second goal then allowed the side to defend its advantage rather than continue chasing a result.

The performance was not based on overwhelming possession or a high volume of chances. Instead, Rochdale were more effective in key moments. Their first goal came from a quick move down the right, while the second followed a mistake in Oldham’s distribution and a direct transition.

For Watson, the main importance of the result is that his team responded on the pitch. The win does not remove the wider pressure created by Rochdale’s league position, but it provides evidence that the squad can compete in important fixtures and take points from difficult circumstances.

What happened in previous matches?

Rochdale entered the derby after a goalless draw away to Walsall. Watson described the performance as a display of determination, with the team working hard without the ball.

Before that draw, Rochdale had defeated Shrewsbury Town 3-0 in what was recorded as their first win since returning to the EFL and the first three-point result of Watson’s tenure. In that match, Baba Adeeko, Luke Hannant and Jonny Smith scored for Rochdale.

The 2-0 victory over Oldham was therefore Rochdale’s second league win of the season. It also followed a run in which the team had struggled to convert performances into results.

Background: Rochdale’s return to League Two

Rochdale returned to the EFL after spending time outside the Football League. Their early League Two campaign had been challenging, with four defeats in their first seven matches before the victory over Oldham.

The club’s main short-term objective is to establish a stable position in League Two. The table remains tightly packed, with only a small number of points separating teams in the lower half. Rochdale and Oldham both had seven points after the derby, meaning the result improved Rochdale’s position but did not create a large gap over nearby rivals.

The fixture also renewed one of the division’s notable local rivalries. Previous meetings had generally favoured Oldham, who had gone nine league games without defeat against Rochdale before the 2026 result. Rochdale’s victory was therefore both a league result and an important rivalry milestone.

Prediction: how could this affect Rochdale supporters?

The win is likely to improve confidence among Rochdale supporters in the short term. A home victory over a local rival, combined with two goals and a clean sheet, gives fans a positive result to follow after a difficult run.

However, the match alone cannot determine Watson’s long-term position. Rochdale remain 16th with seven points, and the club will need further results to move clear of the lower part of the table. Supporters are likely to judge the manager’s future on whether the team can reproduce the organisation, effort and finishing shown against Oldham.

For Oldham supporters, the defeat may increase concern about the team’s away form and chance conversion. Oldham created more opportunities, enjoyed more possession and won six corners, but failed to score. Improving their efficiency in front of goal will be central to their response in the next fixtures.

The most reasonable short-term prediction is that the derby will give Rochdale momentum rather than guarantee a sustained turnaround. If Watson’s players follow the result with points in their next matches, pressure may ease further. If results quickly deteriorate again, the significance of the Oldham win will be reduced to a single successful afternoon.