Crawley Town opened their 2026-27 League Two campaign with a 2-1 victory over Rochdale at Spotland on Saturday 22 August. The home side took the lead in the eighth minute when Peterborough loanee Pemi Aderoju finished a left-wing cross from Osman Kamara, his first goal for the club.
First Half
The Red Devils were the more dangerous side in the opening half, but Crawley’s early goal put pressure on the newly promoted side. Aderoju’s finish was a clean strike from the edge of the box, and the ball was deflected slightly by a defender before finding the back of the net. The goal gave Crawley a 1-0 advantage that they would hold until the break.
Second Half
Rochdale started the second period strongly and equalised in the 54th minute. Centre-back Ethan Ebanks-Landell headed home a cross from Ryan East at the far post. The goal was only his seventh for the club in 154 appearances, but it levelled the score at 1-1.
Crawley regained the lead in the 72nd minute when Louie Watson converted a penalty after a trip by Kaiden Wilson on Aderoju. The penalty was awarded for a handball in the box, and Watson’s finish was a low, precise shot that slipped past the Rochdale keeper.
The win left newly promoted Rochdale still searching for their first point of the campaign after a heavy defeat to Newport in their first EFL match since 2023.
Aftermath
Crawley Town’s victory gives the club a solid start to their League Two season, while Rochdale will need to regroup after a disappointing opening match. The result also highlights Crawley’s ability to capitalize on early chances and maintain composure under pressure.
The match was broadcast live on Sky Sports, and highlights are available on the league’s official website.
Crawley’s manager praised his players for their resilience, noting that the team had shown character in the first half and remained focused after conceding.
The result also highlighted a notable debut for Aderoju, who has been on loan from Peterborough United and has already scored for Crawley.
The game was played in front of a crowd of 5,000 supporters, with the atmosphere described as energetic and supportive of the home side.
Crawley’s next fixture will be against the league leaders, while Rochdale will face a mid-table opponent in their second match.
The match was part of the opening weekend of the 2026-27 League Two season, and both teams will look to build momentum from this start.
