The Unofficial Daily On-line e-zine for 223 Oldham Athletic Supporters Worldwide

Today's Edition for

    5th January 2002 
The logo's are used with the permission of Oldham Athletic Football Club

Strikers in battle for Latics call-up

MATTHEW TIPTON and John Eyre are battling for the final place in Athletic’s FA Cup third-round line-up. One of the two forwards will replace cup-tied David Reeves in the match at Cheltenham Town on Sunday. Tipton lost his place when Reeves signed before Christmas, paying the price for a run of one goal in 13 appearances. But he remains a key member of the squad and has missed only one of Athletic’s 32 games this season. Eyre, meanwhile, is returning sooner than expected from the ankle injury he suffered against Wigan last month. The summer arrival was in good form before his setback and could get the nod to partner Allan Smart up front. Athletic will field a much-changed side against the third-division promotion chasers as Reeves, goalkeeper Paul Rachubka and full-backs Dean Holden and Chris Armstrong are all unavailable. Gary Kelly plays his first match since the cup tie at Hull, with Scott McNiven slotting into defence and Darren Sheridan likely to move from midfield to left-back. There will be a fifth change if Stuart Balmer replaces Julien Baudet. Cheltenham are confident the game will go ahead. If a pitch inspection is needed, it will be at 9.30am on Sunday.

ATHLETIC (from): Kelly, McNiven, Beharall, Balmer, Baudet, D Sheridan, Murray, Duxbury, J Sheridan, Eyres, Smart, Tipton, Eyre, Haining, Boshell, Hardy, Dudley.

CHELTENHAM (from): Book, Victory, Yates, Banks, M Duff, Griffin, Howells, Yates, Milton, Alsop, Naylor, Grayson, Brough, McAuley, Higgs, Devaney, Howarth.

Athletic centre-back Ben Futcher has had his contract terminated by mutual consent and is due to sign for Stalybridge Celtic. The 20-year-old, who made 10 league appearances, spent three months at Stalybridge this season after being signed on loan by his father, Paul. Meanwhile, Andy Ritchie has landed the plum job of Youth Academy Director at Leeds United. Ritchie (41), who was sacked as Athletic manager in October after three and a half years in charge, said: “It is exciting, but also daunting as it is something new to me. “It will be nice not to be judged on 90 minutes’ work, but instead on the players I hopefully help to bring through over a longer period.”

League’s new recruits put Athletic on notice

CHELTENHAM’S claim to sporting fame is its horseracing Festival but, after more than a century of oblivion, the town’s football team is finally making its mark. In less time than it took equine superstar Istabraq to win three Champion Hurdles, the Robins have moved from non-league back-markers to the midst of division three’s play-off pack. Cheltenham, who entertain Athletic on Sunday in the FA Cup third round, had never played a Football League match until August, 1999. But they are making rapid progress and, if Athletic don’t win promotion this season, the clubs could be on the same divisional footing next term. Managed by local legend Steve Cotterill, Cheltenham finished eighth in their first year and ninth last time round. A recent winning run means they are well placed to reach the play-offs in May. And thanks to Athletic’s profitable Christmas, Sunday’s match pits seventh against seventh. It is a sign of how far Cheltenham have come that, incredibly, they have still beaten only two league clubs in their entire FA Cup history. The first time was against Carlisle back in 1933, with a 67-year drought being ended last season against Shrewsbury Town. Even their campaign this term has featured games with minnows Kettering, where they won 6-1 after going a goal down, and Hinckley United in round two. So Cheltenham, a club who have rarely attracted attention outside their modest fan base, have the extra incentive of making some history.

They certainly go into the match with reason to be confident as the last 16 league fixtures have delivered only two defeats. Mind you, they were bad ones – a 3-0 slump at struggling Oxford and a 5-1 hammering at Hull, where Athletic won in the cup second round. The strength of Cotterill’s side is his attack, which is the country’s most obvious case of a little-and-large partnership. Giant Julian Alsop (28) stands at 6ft 5ins and, with 15 goals, is enjoying by far the most prolific season of his professional career. Tony Naylor, meanwhile, is a diddy 5ft 4ins. But the 33-year-old has hit over a century of league goals and is well known to Athletic from his long spell with Port Vale. It was a surprise when Vale told Naylor he could leave in the summer, especially as he was their leading marksman by quite a distance. The decision is paying off for Cheltenham, though. Naylor has scored 10 times so far and his nippy running will have to be monitored closely on Sunday. Athletic, who reached the FA Cup semi-finals in 1990 and ’94, haven’t got beyond this stage in their last five attempts. They have ground to a halt against Barnsley, Cardiff, Chelsea, Preston and Peterborough and, bearing in mind the current selection problems, would possibly settle for a replay. But the same was true in the last round, when goals from John Sheridan, David Eyres and Lee Duxbury inflicted Hull’s first home defeat for 11 months. And Athletic have won five away games out of six in league and cup. Though defeat on Sunday wouldn’t be an outright shock, it would certainly count as a major surprise.

Cup legends Robson & Pallister to make draw

The draw for the Fourth Round Proper of the F.A. Cup Sponsored by AXA will take place at 8.55pm on Sunday 6th January. Former Manchester United and Middlesbrough colleagues Bryan Robson and Gary Pallister will be making the draw, which will be held at The F.A.’s Soho Square headquarters shortly after the final whistle of Aston Villa’s home tie with Manchester United. The draw will be broadcast live on here on TheFA.com (check out our new F.A. Cup section to be launched at the weekend), and also BBC1, Sky Sports, BBC 5 Live and Talksport.

In the draw Cheltenham or Oldham will be number 17 (gary)

                    Cheltenham   Draw   Latics

  BananaBet          6/4      11/5      6/4

  Bet365            13/8      11/5     11/8

  Betandwin.com      6/4      11/5      6/4

  Betinternet        6/4      11/5      6/4

  Blue Square       13/8      11/5     11/8

  DirecBet           7/4     23/10     11/8

  Expekt             6/4     21/10      6/4

  Ladbrokes.com      8/5      11/5     11/8

  OddsAlive          6/4      11/5      6/4

  Paddy Power        8/5      11/5      7/5

  Playit.com         6/4      11/5      6/4

  SportingOdds      11/8      11/5      8/5

  Sportingbet        8/5      11/5      7/5

  Sports.com         8/5      11/5      6/4

  UK Betting         6/4      11/5      6/4

  Unibet             8/5      11/5     11/8

  William Hill       8/5      11/5      7/5

  Yabet              8/5     21/10      6/4

Reeves To Move

Today club officials were in discussion with on-loan striker David Reeves, about making his move to Boundary Park permanent. The good news is, that terms have been agreed with the player for a Two and an half year contract. Chesterfield have agreed to allow the player to move to Latics in a permanent deal. Reeves who is cup tied for both the Cheltenham and Blackpool games, has scored 3 goals in 3 games since his arrival on loan.  As part of the move, Mark Allott's loan period, has been extended by a further month until the end of February. The Club have allowed Mark Innes to speak to Chesterfield about a permanent move, whereby the Latics would receive a large percentage of any future sell on fee.  Both players scored for Chesterfield in their victory last Saturday against Notts County.

F.A. CUP WEEK

Oldham Athletic Officials spoke with Cheltenham Town regarding the condition of the pitch at Whaddon Road for Sunday's F.A. Cup tie.  With many other ties in jeopardy because of the adverse weather conditions around the country, the Latics wanted to know if it may affect their tie on Sunday. The Gloucestershire Club told the Latics "The pitch was covered with a light frost this morning but the sun has been thawing the pitch out throughout the day all this week.  We are hoping that this will continue today and tomorrow and the pitch will be OK for Sunday". They added that a decision would be made tomorrow whether or not a pitch inspection would be needed on Sunday morning.  The weather forecast issued by the Met, stated that Saturday should be a cloudy day and Sunday should be a dry and bright day.

Robins up for the cup

Cheltenham Town supporters are hoping that Tony Naylor is able to recover from his knee injury in time to line-up for the Robins on Sunday (kick-off 3pm), when they face Second Division Oldham Athletic in the Third Round of the FA Cup. Naylor injured his knee when netting the equalising goal against Swansea City on Saturday and it was enough to keep him out of the squad that defeated Torquay United on New Year's Day. However, the feeling amongst the terrace faithful is that he will take his place alongside leading scorer Julian Alsop to face Oldham. Naylor's presence could signal Neil Grayson's return to the bench. The 37 year-old frontrunner has filled a gap on the left side of midfield while Russell Milton sat in the stands with a hamstring injury. But Milton lasted the whole 90 minutes at Plainmoor and must fancy his chances of retaining his place in the team. It is only the third time that Cheltenham have reached this stage of the competition.

The last occasion was four years ago when the Robins overcame Tiverton Town and Boreham Wood, before facing Reading at Whaddon Road. On a rainy evening just perfect for a cup upset, it had looked as though a Dale Watkins penalty would be enough to see Cheltenham through. But goalkeeper Steve Book allowed a simple shot to slip underneath his body for the equaliser and Reading won a close-fought replay by the odd goal in three. Cheltenham's only other appearance in the third round came way back in 1933/4. They hammered Barnet in the first round before winning 2-1 at Carlisle United in the second - their only victory over a Football League club as a non-League outfit. Blackpool eventually ended the run in a game that provided the Robins' record attendance of 10,389. Like most games this weekend, the weather is presenting problems. However, the good news is that the weather forecast predicts the gradual thawing of the past two days to continue. Supporters wanting to check on the status of the game can contact the club on 01242-573558. Finally, Robins fans are reminded that the game is not all-ticket.

Expected line-up: Steve Book, Antony Griffin, Michael Duff, Chris Banks, Jamie Victory, Lee Williams, Mark Yates, Lee Howells, Russell Milton, Tony Naylor, Julian Alsop
Subs: Shane Higgs, Neil Howarth, John Brough, Martin Devaney, Neil Grayson

Beharall facing fitness race

The Latics face an anxious wait to see if flu victim David Beharall will be fit to face Cheltenham in Sunday's FA Cup third-round tie. Beharall, who is on loan all season from Newcastle United, has been in commanding form at the heart of a defence which has kept six cleansheets in eight league and cup games. The Latics are already without four key players - Manchester United do not want loan keeper Paul Rachubka cup-tied, full-backs Dean Holden and Chris Armstrong are suspended and David
Reeves, another loan signing, has played in the competition with Chesterfield. Gary Kelly, whose last appearance was in round two, takes over in goal and versatile defender Scott McNiven, who has found himself out of favour in recent weeks, could also get back in the starting line-up. Frenchman Julien Baudet, who has taken his chance superbly since making his debut in the first round replay at Barrow, is again in the squad. And there are call-ups for three of the younger players - winger Lee Hardy, striker Craig Dudley and midfielder Danny Boshell. Boss Mick Wadsworth said: "When somebody drops out of the side it is always a great opportunity for somebody else to show what they can do and I hope that will be the case. "Cheltenham are going well in the Third Division and it is going to be a very difficult game but we are going there with plenty of confidence. "We certainly won't be making the mistake of under-estimating them and we will be concentrating for the full 90 minutes." Oldham (probable): Kelly, McNiven, Beharall, Baudet, Balmer, Murray, Duxbury, J Sheridan, D Sheridan, Eyre, Eyres, Smart, Boshell, Tipton, Hardy, Haining, Dudley.

Carss fitness boost

idfielder Tony Carss is back in full training after being out for 24 games with a variety of injuries. The unlucky Carss had a hernia operation during the summer then he was just six matches into the season when he damaged ankle ligaments. Last season's Player of the Year looked set for a senior side comeback when he picked up a calf strain. Boss Mick Wadsworth said: "He is training normally but he has played so little football that he is desperate for some match action. "Hopefully, he can get a couple of reserve team games under his belt if the weather improves."

Futcher departs

Giant defender Ben Futcher has had his contract terminated by mutual consent and has linked up with his father Paul at Stalybridge Celtic. The 20-year-old was loaned to the conference outfit for a couple of months earlier this season and scored one goal in 17 appearances. Futcher arrived at Boundary Park as a schoolboy and came through the ranks after starting at the School of Excellence. Boss Mick Wadsworth said: "He needs to be playing games at his age, but we couldn't provide them here.
"It is a chance to put his career on track and we wish him well."

Town in pitch battle

The Robins' FA Cup third-round tie with Oldham Athletic has been plunged into further doubt as the weather in England continues to deteriorate. Hard frost and sub-zero temperatures have affected the whole country and the South West has been hit particularly hard. It is expected that a pitch inspection will take place early tomorrow morning and Steve Cotterill's men will be desperate to carry on their good run of five wins from their last six games. The Whaddon Road pitch has been in good nick this term and it is hoped by all at the club that the groundstaff can make the surface playable and that The Robins can provide a huge cup shock.