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9th January 2002

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Oldham Evening Chronicle (www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk) Smart poised to make home debut ALLAN SMART is poised for a belated home debut tonight when Athletic tackle Blackpool in the LDV Vans Trophy. The big-money striker signed in November, yet none of his five appearances for the club have been at Boundary Park. Smart’s only goal for Athletic – a stylish effort in the 1-0 win at Notts County – sent them through to tonight’s northern semi-final. But, due to suspension, the 27-year-old missed his chance to follow up in front of a home crowd. Boss Mick Wadsworth, who paid £225,000 for Smart, believes Athletic can go all the way in a competition fought out by lower-division clubs. They had never won a Trophy game before this season but now stand two rounds from a final at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff. Wadsworth said: “Cup football is unpredictable because it dictates its own course, but we must have a chance. “If you’re in a competition you should treat it with every respect, and I do think it’s winnable for us.” Athletic beat Blackpool comfortably on Boxing Day but are on a retrieval mission after their weekend FA Cup defeat. The winners of tonight’s tie, which could go to extra time and penalties, will face Huddersfield in a two-legged northern final. Darren Sheridan and David Beharall have been declared fit, while Dean Holden and Chris Armstrong come back from suspension. The two full-backs are likely to be recalled as Athletic reshape their defence. There could also be a place for Julien Baudet, who has been highly effective playing as a centre-back or defensive midfielder. And Wadsworth must decide whether Gary Kelly or on-loan Paul Rachubka plays in goal. John Sheridan takes a rest and David Reeves, who has completed his move from Chesterfield on a two-and-a-half-year contract, is cup-tied. Blackpool’s squad includes Ian Marshall, who played over 200 games for Athletic earlier in his career. Admission prices have been cut to £8 and £4. The Lookers Stand will be closed. ATHLETIC (from): Kelly, Rachubka, Beharall, Balmer, Baudet, Holden, Armstrong, McNiven, Duxbury, D Sheridan, Murray, Eyres, Eyre, Smart, Dudley, Tipton.

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The Latics knew that victory tonight would set up a two-legged Northern final with Huddersfield, to see who would go to the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff in March. The cold night air had descended on Boundary Park and the surface had a shiny look to it, making the football zip about that bit quicker. The Latics were looking to bounce back after their F.A. Cup exit at Cheltenham on Sunday. Blackpool had also suffered F.A. Cup heartache on Saturday, when they had led at Charlton for a long time only to go down to two late goals. The Latics responded first when Paul Murray played a superb through ball into Allan Smart's path and the striker fired against the near post, before he neatly controlled the rebound and crossed for Lee Duxbury to head home for the Latics.

Dean Holden delivered a good back post cross which Smart was unlucky not to head goalbound. Tipton then had a shot from outside the box which went straight into the keeper's arms but it was the Latics who looked dangerous early on with every attack. Blackpool's first real threat at goal came when Fenton turned neatly on the edge of the box and fired at goal, Beharall did enough and it deflected away for a corner. The Latics went straight down the other end through Murray, whose cross was inches away from Tipton's sliding effort. Tipton had a glorious chance when Murray once again picked the Welshman out on the edge of the box, but Tipton dragged his shot wide of the post. The Latics were defending very deep inviting Blackpool at them, employing Allan Smart as the only out and out front man.

Then when Baudet and Darren Sheridan were involved in a horrendous mix up, it was Sheridan who pulled back Fenton as he advanced on the Latics goal. The referee had no option other than to send Sheridan off for the second game running. With the Latics reduced to ten men, Blackpool took advantage and inside two minutes, Richard Walker had the simple task of tapping the ball home from three yards out for the equaliser with Kelly stranded. Tipton then had a shot on goal which sailed over the bar after he had cut in from the wing. It was the first time Latics had looked a threat since the early stages of the game. Blackpool's second came when John Hills sent over a cross from the right and Walker headed past Kelly for his second of the night. Wadsworth had big problems on his hands now as the Latics had thrown away the lead and been reduced to ten men. Hills was desperately unlucky not to make it three seconds later, Holden's sliding challenge was good enough to send the ball skidding wide of the far post with the Kelly beaten. Reid then let a goal kick drop behind him, which allowed Smart to chase down the keeper but Barnes reacted well and hammered the ball into the stand. Eyres had a good chance to equalise on the left edge of the box, but he drove his shot wide of the post. Smart then crossed from the left and Tipton headed goalbound, only to see Barnes make a fine save diving away to his left. The Latics had threatened twice in quick succession as they tried to come back at the Seasiders. Bullock's solo run and shot needed saving by Kelly as he danced his way through the Latics defence. The half had begun so well but ended so badly as Duxbury questioned the referee as they trudged off at half-time.

Wadsworth had to make changes and he did so, Eyre and Dudley replaced Tipton and Beharall. The changes were instant as Dudley charged down the right wing and crossed, Smart mis-hit the ball and it fell kindly to Eyres who smashed home the leveller. Blackpool could have been straight back in the lead when Bullock weaved his way past the Latics back line but fired high and wide. Mick Wadsworth had changed the formation to a 3-4-2 and his bravery had paid off immediately. Smart did well to set up Eyre who knocked the ball onto Holden, but the full-back's shot finished up in the 'Chaddy End' rather than the back of the Blackpool net. Dudley then showed his blistering pace, setting off from the half-way line and leaving Blackpool defenders in his wake. He was brought down right on the edge of the visitors penalty area, but the Latics could not take advantage of the free-kick. John Murphy then replaced Fenton for the Seasiders as they tried to regain control of the match, which the Latics had stolen from them. Danny Coid was unfortunately stretchered off and replaced by John O'Kane, who had been sent off here earlier in the season.

Blackpool made advantage of their extra man when O'Kane found Hills wide on the left, his cross was met by substitute Murphy, with a diving header to give Blackpool the lead again. The Latics had the chance to equalise when they were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box, but Allan Smart blazed over. Eyres, Smart and Murray combined well, before Murray tested Barnes in the visitors net by firing a shot at goal from the edge of the box. Smart was unfortunate not to equalise, when he flicked an Eyres' cross just wide of the far post with the keeper beaten. The Latics survived a Blackpool break-away when Walker fired against a post and the follow up shot was cleared thanks to Armstrong, who got back to clear the danger. From a corner on the right, Bullock ran through the Latics defence and fired underneath Kelly to give Blackpool their fourth. Bullock had caused problems all night with his jinxing runs and he looked to have killed this tie off. Allan Smart then picked up a yellow card on his home debut and McNiven replaced Eyres, who had given the Latics a lifeline in the first minute of the second half. Armstrong was pushed up front and from a deep cross, there were no Latics forwards were on hand. Another attack on the Blackpool left lead to the visitors fifth goal which was knocked home by Richard Walker, his hat-trick. Collins had another chance to make it six but he fired wide when he only had Kelly to beat. In-discipline had cost the Latics dear for the second time in four days as they crashed out of the LDV Vans Trophy. They now have the play-offs to aim for, any more displays like this and they could wave that hope good-bye.

AVFTT (blackpool.rivals.net) There aren't many of us who have seen the Seasiders through each round of the LDV Vans Trophy, but as one of the exclusive (and sad) few it seems incredible that we've witnessed four comprehensive winning performances(including 15 goals) which unfortunately 'Pool seem unable to repeat in the league. The last time the Seasiders scored five goals (excluding five of the six against Scunthorpe) was against Torquay this time last year. It was a game that kick started the second half of the season and hopefully tonight's result can have the same effect. In truth, we could have been in double figures. OK, we played a 10 man Oldham for 74 minutes, but as has been proved on so many occasions 10 men can often be more difficult to beat than 11. In a way Sheridan's sending off partly made up for O'Kane's dismissal at Boundary Park earlier this season. Having poked fun at the LDV Vans Trophy when we began this journey, it has been a competition which has regularly reminded me what a decent team Blackpool are. We've not had it easy to get this far with 3 away trips and a tough home tie against Stoke, but each time we've turned in performances it would be lovely to see repeated in the league. However this competition has virtually paid for Richard Walker and hopefully there's a ticket to Cardiff waiting for us after the Northern final against Huddersfield Town. Blackpool always seem to make it hard for themselves and going a goal down within 3 minutes was the worst possible start. Even worse if you saw how much space and time Lee Duxbury had to head home the opening goal. After that the Seasiders had much more of the play and even though Macca likes the passing ball, it can be frustrating when the move breaks down without a shot on target as was happening early on. The game changed came on 26 minutes when Darren Sheridan brought down Richie Wellens who was through on goal and a red card was the only outcome. Down to 10 men, Oldham seemed to give up and it was no surprise to see a brace from Walker before half-time. However never write off a side with David Eyres in the team as a screamer of a shot from 20 yards out levelled things up. In truth Blackpool never really looked as if they would lose the game, a well taken effort from Murphy, a superb solo goal from Bullock and Walker's hat-trick were well deserved. The two down-sides in the second half was the injury to Danny Coid (not as serious as it looked although he's likely to miss Saturday) and another booking for Martin Bullock who'll now face a suspension. Blackpool played a decent all round game although desperately need to work on set pieces and corners from which little materialised. Plenty of positives came out of tonight though. Hills as captain was magnificent again, Rhys Day looks a real talent for the future, Richard Wellens had another great game in a Blackpool shirt and the combination of Fenton, Walker and Murphy worked well up front. The booing that greeted John O'Kane was unnecessary and it's no surprise he was the first player to leave the pitch down the tunnel at the end (however I hasten to add he did applaud the supporters before he went). Clearly his confidence is down, however he delivered a few decent balls and won a fine tackle whilst on the pitch - if fans gave him a chance when he plays mmaybe he'd cut out the mistakes which could be caused by not wanting to let those same fans down. Having criticised this cup as meaningless, the Seasiders now face a money spinning Northern final against Huddersfield and a potential return to Cardiff in the final. The LDV Vans Trophy has won me over even if our journey ends before getting to the Millennium Stadium. However, hopefully now Blackpool will keep both eyes on the league and get back to winning ways on Saturday.

Official Blackpool Web Site (www.blackpoolfc.co.uk) Pool put on a tremendous display in this LDV VANS NTH Semi-final to run out 5-2 winners in a thoroughly entertaining match at Boundary Park. The whole team seemed to carry on from the Charlton game with an air of confidence that allowed the Seasiders to play some great football resulting in 5 goals, a hat trick for Richard Walker, 1 for John Murphy and 1 for Martin Bullock saw Pool go nap with Oldham's goals coming early on at the start of each half. Pool got off to the worst possible start at Boundary Park going behind to a Lee Duxbury goal after just 2 minutes. Initially, Smart beat the offside trap before hitting the post with a shot, he picked up the rebound and crossed to the unmarked Lee Duxbury who had the easiest of tasks to head home. With just over 5 minutes gone Tipton beat a couple of challenges before sending a shot straight at Phil Barnes. Pool's 1st chance came just before the 10 minute mark when Richard Walker saw his shot on the turn deflected for a corner. Moments later, Oldham broke quickly and Tipton was inches away from converting the left wing cross. Pool then started to come more into the game with a couple of free-kicks and a corner before Coid cut inside before sending in a left foot shot, that was blocked and fell to Richard Walker who tried a shot but it was easy for Kelly in the Oldham goal. With just less than 25 minutes gone, Richie Wellens latched onto a poor pass from Dean Holden and looked to be going clear before being pulled back by Darren Sheridan who was subsequently shown the red card for a professional foul. John Hills curled wide from the resulting free-kick. A couple of minutes later, Richard Walker got the equaliser for Pool, Richie Wellens had played a ball forward for Graham Fenton, he took the ball on before sending a ball across goal leaving Walker with the easiest of tap ins. Less than 10 minutes later, Richard Walker gets Pool’s 2nd goal with a great header after out-jumping the Oldham defence to get to a John Hills cross from the left wing. Minutes later, Richie Wellens picked the ball up in the middle after good work down Pool’s left by Hills and Jaszczun, Wellens shot dipped but went just over the Oldham bar. Oldham threatened through Eyres and Smart in the closing minutes of the half but it was Pool who went in with the lead at half time. The lead did not last long as former Pool player David Eyres, smashed an equaliser for Oldham 30 seconds after the re-start. In the next few minutes, neat play be Richie Wellens almost got Danny Coid and Richard Walker in for Pool with Walker also heading over from a Jaszczun cross. Duxbury fired over after being played in by Smart and Baudet hit a free-kick into the wall from which Eyres blasted over with less than 10 minutes of the 2nd half gone. In the next 5 minutes, Pool replaced Graham Fenton with John Murphy and Danny Coid was replaced by John O'Kane after being injured in a challenge with Armstrong. John Murphy restored Pool's lead on 65 minutes after Tommy Jaszczun had crossed into the danger area where Murphy arrived to power a header past Kelly. A minute later, Allan Smart wasted a chance for the home side as he fired a free-kick over following a foul by Brian Reid. Pool looked certain to increase their lead with 15 minutes remaining when Martin Bullock led a 3 on 2 counter attack for the Seasiders, his pass found Walker who looked certain to get his hat-trick but his shot hit the post and John Murphy saw his effort from the rebound blocked by a defender. With just over 10 minutes remaining, Martin Bullock did increase Pool's lead, Pool took a short corner on the right straight to Bullock who cut into the area, he drifted past a couple of challenges before hitting a left footed shot that seemed to go through Gary Kelly in the Oldham goal and ended up in the back of the net. With just a couple of minutes remaining, Richard Walker got his hat trick, Martin Bullock popped up on the left and sped away from the defence, he managed to get past a challenge in the area before laying the ball across the face of goal to give Richard Walker another tap in to claim his hat-trick.

Contributions and letters should be sent to Gary Davies by e-mail at LaticsGary@ntlworld.comor at Boundary Bullet-zine,41 Verney Road,Royton,Oldham,United Kingdom.OL2 6AZ07786 928689Or in the Setons Chaddy end Row R Seats 67 & 68Boundary Bullet-zine Archive can be found at http://www.oocities.org/laticsgary.geo.The views expressed on this e-zine are not the views of Oldham Athletic F.C. nor necessarily the views of the Editor.This e-zine is a unofficial publication NOT sanctioned by Oldham Athletic Football Club.The editor will not publish any letters containing bad language.This e-zine is written using Microsoft Outlook Express and is best viewed with the HTML (rich) text option enabled.