Our penultimate match of the 2025/26 regular season takes us where we ended the last one, at Braintree.
After a return to winning ways on Saturday, Dale face an already relegated outfit, who have won just one of their last 14 games.
ADMISSION DETAILS
Tickets for the game are on sale via our hosts’ website.
Dale supporters should enter via gates 7 and 8.
Click HERE for the details.
FOLLOW THE ACTION
Following the rescheduling of this fixture to a 5.30pm kick-off, it will be shown live on DAZN in the UK & overseas. Click HERE to sign up.
If supporters are unable to make the game, the Ratcliffe Bar at the COA is open, screening the action live. Doors open at 4pm, with drinks offerings available. Click HERE for full details.
Dale Player will also bring you live audio commentary direct from Braintree. Click HERE to sign up for our audio subscription service.
PRE-MATCH INTERVIEW
Top goalscorer Mani Dieseruvwe spoke on the team’s belief and desire going into the remaining games.
Click HERE to watch.
THE OPPOSITION
Overview – The Iron’s two-year stay in the Enterprise National League will come to an end next Saturday, after defeat at Forest Green last time out confirmed their relegation. Steve Pitt’s side have managed just eight victories from 44 games this season, with five of those at home and three away. It was only ten games into the season when Dale hosted Braintree, who were winless in three which then stretched to five after defeats against the top two in September. A win away at Eastleigh was followed by a further eight without a maximum result, although they did then go three games unbeaten in November, including victories over Truro City and Morecambe who have also been relegated. The league’s lowest scorers (36) ended 2025 on a positive note with a win at Woking but the new year proved difficult with heavy defeats against Boreham Wood and York City. The side from Essex completed league doubles over Eastleigh and Truro but after the win in Cornwall, it’s been nine games, six losses and three draws.
Form
Braintree Town 2-3 Scunthorpe (L).
Brackley Town 1-1 Braintree Town (D).
Braintree Town 1-2 Carlisle United (L).
Southend United 3-2 Braintree Town (L).
Braintree Town 0-0 Woking (D).
Forest Green Rovers 3-1 Braintree Town (L).
Last Game – Forest Green Rovers 3-1 Braintree Town (58′ Walker).
Top League Goalscorer (2025/26) – Lewis Walker (9).
New Signings
Josh Blunkell (GK).
Ryan Battrum (RB).
James Clarridge (CB).
Ben Drake (CB).
Matt Dibley-Dias (CM).
Emmanuel Okunowo (CM).
Amir Hadi (FW).
Callum Harriott (FW).
Taylan Harris (FW).
Zavier Massiah-Edwards (FW).
WE’VE MET BEFORE
Games Played – 3
Rochdale Wins – 2
Draws – 0
Braintree Wins – 1
Most recent encounter – Dale 2-0 Braintree Town (6th Sept 2025).
THE RARE BREED MEAT CO STADIUM
Click HERE for directions to the stadium with club information also available on their website.
OFFICIALS
Referee | Abigail Byrne.
Assistants | Joseph Karram & Alex Mathieson.
Fourth Official | Benjamin McDonald.
