In the opening few minutes Pitman scuffed a couple of efforts which were tame and in no way put the visitors goal under any threat at all. But as if to put Dale in to a false sense of security a 3rd scuffed effort took a slight deflection off a Dale defender, with the ball looping over the keeper's head to give the Cherries a 12th minute lead.
Dale for their part, looked organised, without really threatening the Cherries goal at the other end.
In the 25th minute the man of the half, Liam Feeney, flew down the right wing, ran circles around his marker, cut inside and then produce an exquisite left foot curler that sailed in by the far post - giving the Dale keeper absolutely no chance what so ever!
Our Lancashire visitors tried to hit back, but again, for all their organisation they failed to make too much of an impact as the back four (Cooper, Garry, Pearce, Wiggins) were resolute ..... this was assuming that they could get past the ever industrious Hollands and Robinson in midfield. The amount of work those 6 players put in throughout the match was simply outstanding.
Towards the end of the half, Rochdale did manage to create a couple of chances for themselves. The first produced an outstanding save from Jalal at full stretch, which he managed to drop for a corner. Their other (and only) chance failed to trouble anyone to be honest!
The second period saw the Cherries extend their advantage yet further, while Rochdale failed to give any suggestion that they were seeking promotion.
Half way through the half, Fletcher flicked a neat ball through for Pitman who calmly slid the ball past Fielding in the Dale goal.
Liam Feeney received a well deserved standing ovation for his outstanding contribution, when he was brought off, to be replaced by Sammy Igoe with 10 minutes to go.
Then with seconds left on the clock, Pitman found himself in space, and once again, cooly fired home to complete his first professional hat trick in a Cherries shirt, picking the ball out from the back of the net to hold it aloft.
Okay, not a stunning performance, even though a 4-0 scoreline might suggest it was. But it was professional, clinical and just what the doctor ordered given that Barnet and Chester City both won, and Grimsby Town drawing.
Jalal - Hardly had anything to do throughout the match. But did well when called upon.
Cooper - Solid at the back. Was given a stern test, but was equal to it.
Garry - Simply Outstanding!
Pearce - Simply Outstanding!
Wiggins - Great performance at left back.
Feeney - Superb performance. Created the first goal, scored the second.
Hollands - Simply Outstanding!
Robinson - Solid in midfield.
Molesley - Dependable and workman like through out.
Fletcher - Hardly put a foot wrong throughout the match.
Pitman - A superbly taken hat trick - the first of many I suspect.
Igoe - Did well when he came on.
Goulding - Wasn't on long enough to make a judgement to be honest.
Bradbury - Wasn't on long enough to make a judgement to be honest.
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AFCB: Jalal, Cooper, Garry, Pearce, Wiggins, Feeney, Hollands, Robinson, Molesley, Fletcher, Pitman
Subs: Guyett, Partington, Igoe (for Feeney, 80 mins), Goulding (for Fletcher, 86 mins), Bradbury (89 mins)
Andy Burton, Portsmouth