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BOUNDARY BULLET-zine

The Daily On-line e-zine for Oldham Athletic Supporters Worldwide

Today's Edition for

          12th August 1999 

Today's Headlines

 Tony Bugby of the Oldham Evening Chronicle writes,

STUART THOM  has dealt Athletic an early season injury blow by breaking a toe and the central defender is likely to be ruled out for at least a fortnight. Thom's injury, sustained in Tuesday's Worthington Cup defeat at Stockport, is a setback for manager Andy Ritchie as Athletic are already without long-term absentee, Richard Graharn.

Ritchie admits he will have to step up his search for a short term replacement, but Sunderland's Gerry Harrison is unlikely fill the void, even though he is still training with Athletic. Athletic would love to bring in Harrison on loan, but they cannot afford his wages. Sunderland are insisting that Athletic pay the full amount - unlike West Brom, who paid half of Paul Mardon's salary last season.

Thom has had an eventful start to the campaign as he was banned for the opening league match against Preston. The 22 year-old returned at Stockport but broke his toe, early in the game. Ritchie said: "Stuart received a whack which ripped his boot. He knew he was hurt but played on. It was only when he went to hospital yesterday that the extent of the injury became clear."

Doctors initially wanted to put Thom's foot in plaster, which would have ruled him out for at least six weeks. But it was decided that, once swelling has gone down, he could be back training in fortnight. Ritchie was due to speak to Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Wilson today about extending the loan deal of Junior Agogo. The Athletic manager is keen to keep the 20-year-old striker at Boundary Park for another month, at least.

 Teamtalk Oldham
Thom fears ease
Latics defender Stuart Thom has been boosted by news he could be set to resume training in as little as two weeks time.
The 23-year-old broke a toe in Tuesday's Worthington Cup defeat at Stockport County, and it was feared he would be sidelined for at least six weeks. However, after consulting a specialist, it is hoped he will return sooner.
The injury rules Thom out of Saturday's clash with Brentford, leaving boss Andy Ritchie with a defensive headache.
He said: "It is a big blow to lose him and it means I will now have to re-shuffle the side for Saturday's trip to Brentford.
"There are a number of options I want to work on in training, and I probably won't make a decision until the day of the game."
Double int'l call

 Keepers Gary Kelly and David Miskelly have received international call-ups for the Eire senior and Northern Ireland U-21 squads respectively.Kelly has been put on standby for the Republic's Euro 2000 qualifiers against Yugoslavia, Croatia and Malta.
Meanwhile, Miskelly - originally on stand-by - has now been called up to the Northern Ireland U-21 squad to face France in Belfast on August 17.


Reserves in action

The Latics kick off this season's Manchester Senior Cup competition on August 25, looking to go one better on last term's showing. Oldham will face Manchester City at Hyde's Ewan Fields hoping to improve on last year's second placing.
Kick-off 7pm.
 Yahoo Football Oldham

Latics succumb to double strike

Goals from Stockport's Kevin Cooper and Brett Angell gave Oldham a mountain to climb in the Worthington Cup first round second leg. Man-of-the-match Aaron Wilbraham turned past Shaun Garnett and fed Cooper who blasted the opener past Gary Kelly on 62 minutes. Angell's first of the season came via a flick on from Mike Flynn's long throw minutes later. Angell set up Cooper for another chance late on but he shot wide. Carlo Nash was alert to make first half saves from Latics' Mark Innes and Mark Allott. But Stockport had the best of the first half and missed chances which fell to David Smith and Wilbraham - whose effort was blocked by Lee Duxbury. Wilbraham was also denied a second half penalty when he appeared to have been brought down by Scott McNiven.

Transfer hits brick wall

Andy Ritchie's hopes of signing Gerry Harrison on a loan deal appear to have hit a brick wall. Sunderland are willing to let the utility player leave the Stadium of Light, but the player's wages are way out of the Latics' reach. Harrison has been training at Boundary Park, but it's believed that other clubs have now been noted of his availability.
 Anyone interested in buying some old Latics programmes from the 60's and 70's let me know.
 Contributions and letters should be sent to Gary Davies by e-mail at GaryDavies@pinevilla1897.freeserve.co.ukThe views expressed on this e-zine are not the views of Oldham Athletic F.C. nor necessarily the views of the EditorAny complaints will be dealt with swiftlyThe editor will not publish any letters containing bad languageThis e-zine is written using Microsoft Outlook Express