HALLOWEEN arrived a day early at Dark Lane as Rossendale produced a horror show and were easily beaten by a strong Matlock side in the UniBond First Division.
The vistors outfought and out-thought a Rossendale side who were a shadow of the side that won at Matlock on the opening day.
Dale failed to register an attempt on target throughout the 90 minutes. The first half was something of a non-event, both sides creating little.
Jason Heffernan headed over a Garath Gardiner cross after 15 minutes for Dale's only attempt of the half.
The opening goal came on 37 minutes as Steve Taylor was allowed time and space to fire a low shot past Mike Allison.
Ten minutes after the restart Mike Varley scored a spectacular second from the edge of the box and the third came on 85 minutes as Tylor ran through to score his second of the night with the freedom of the penalty area.
Dale's evening was summed up in the last minute as Mark Patterson fired wide from only 10 yards after Chris Willcocks had put him clean through.
RESULT: ROSSENDALE UTD...0 MATLOCK TOWN...3
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