A mixed team of first-year scholars and Under-16s went down 5-1 at home to Oldham Athletic.
The visitors raced into a two-goal lead before Cameron McCormack pulled one back from the penalty spot.
However, two further goals from Latics before the break put them 4-1 ahead, before they added a fifth after the break to complete the scoring.
Professional Phase Development Lead Mike Sheron commented: “It’s an early lesson for this group in how the step up of quality and intensity of the opposition will impact performance, mindsets and therefore results.
“Being 4-1 down at half-time, we felt that a supportive message regarding the importance of representing Rochdale with pride, and playing with togetherness and spirit, was the focus at the break.
“A much better second-half performance gave us a few positive moments. There’s plenty to work on, but we need to focus on doing the basics better on and off the ball, which will definitely help in the future.”
Dale return to action next weekend with a trip to Doncaster Rovers. Click HERE for the full Youth Team fixture list.
Dale XI | Gee, Beesley, Lawless, Carroll, Pither, Martin, Leonard, McCormack, Nowacki, Brown, Fanning.
Subs | Cunliffe, Sambrook, Barnes, Hardwidge.
