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Today's Edition for
 
    10th January 2002   
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 Oldham Evening Chronicle (www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk) Sheridan facing five-match ban ATHLETIC boss Mick Wadsworth sprung to Darren Sheridan’s defence last night after the midfielder was sent off for the second time this week. Sheridan was dismissed for a professional foul against Blackpool, adding to his previous record of two red cards and eight bookings in 29 games for the club. He must serve a five-match ban and, by the time he returns in late February, will have missed nine fixtures this season through suspension. Sheridan was sent off for fighting at Blackburn – after which he was handed a fine by Athletic – and went for two yellow cards at Cheltenham on Sunday. Wadsworth said: “It’s unacceptable he has been sent off a couple of times and I’ve spoken to him about his record on more than one occasion.  “But it would be unfair to jump on him for what he did because the red card was questionable and harsh. He acted instinctively to stop the player getting through and I didn’t think there was that much contact. “You can say Darren should have left him alone because we would have had time to get the goal back, but it doesn’t work like that. “It’s easy to sit in the stand and have an opinion, but it’s different when you are out on the pitch making decisions. “I can’t criticise him too much on this occasion. And, having watched the video from Sunday, he was unlucky that time as well. “We have a problem in general because referees don’t allow continuity and are stopping games for every physical challenge. “We had a player booked recently for ‘excessive force in the tackle’. It’s becoming a non-contact sport – God help Tommy Smith if he was playing today.” Sheridan’s ban starts on January 22 and he will miss games with Port Vale, Bournemouth, Notts County, Brighton and Bristol City. He received one match for two yellow cards on Sunday and one last night for “denying a goalscoring opportunity”. But there are extra punishments for anyone sent off more than once. It was a dreadful night for Athletic as they lost 5-2 at home in the LDV Vans Trophy and suffered another injury blow. Defender David Beharall has an ankle problem which was being assessed today, but he looks sure to miss the weekend trip to Chesterfield. Athletic’s collapse will lead to other team changes, with John Sheridan, Scott McNiven, Stuart Balmer and Paul Rachubka all vying for recalls. Striker David Reeves, who was cup-tied last night, definitely plays against his old club. Sheridan off again as off-key Latics crash 
IF every game in the LDV Vans Trophy had action like this, there would be no problem attracting the punters. But last night’s northern semi-final was a match Athletic, and in particular Darren Sheridan, need to purge from their system straight away. They were ripped to pieces in a defensive horror show which brought the worst home defeat since Manchester United visited eight years ago. As for Sheridan – sent off for the third time this season and the second time in three days – his disciplinary record is becoming a liability. The midfielder went for a professional foul in the 25th minute and, while there was no malice in his pull on Richie Wellens, the act of desperation was blatant on a man going clean through. Wellens was still about 25 yards from goal when Sheridan grabbed his shirt, but referee Richard Beeby took the only fitting decision. Left to play three-quarters of the tie a man short, Athletic couldn’t cope with Blackpool’s expert use of their advantage. Richard Walker was the hat-trick hero, but it was the visitors’ tremendous passing which left Athletic crying for mercy. Even before Sheridan’s red card, the danger signs were flashing for Mick Wadsworth’s side, whose soft centre was ripe for exploitation. All the defenders, plus a few elsewhere, were out of form and Julien Baudet – after doing so well in his first few tastes of English football – looked bewildered by the whole experience. The scoreline may have flattered Blackpool as they only ran away with it when the home side were taking big risks near the end. Take nothing away from them, though. Their performance was a massive improvement on Boxing Day when Athletic – comfortably and ironically – sealed a league double. So it’s back to earth with a thud for all at Boundary Park, where talk of promotion has been getting louder in recent weeks. Having lost only once in 15 games before Cheltenham on Sunday, Athletic have faced two awkward knock-out ties and been dumped on their backside both times. This Trophy hammering is no reason for the promotion bid to falter, especially as there is now a series of league games against bottom-half teams. On top of that bonus, Allan Smart played encouragingly last night and there was another goal for in-form David Eyres. Athletic, who are usually quite solid (remember they have three consecutive clean sheets in the league), surely won’t defend this badly again for the remainder of the season. But even the rabid optimist couldn’t view a 5-2 home defeat as some sort of blessing in disguise. Athletic were awful and must take heed of their loud and painful warning shot. Blackpool actually started slowly, and they paid for their drowsiness when Athletic scored after three minutes. It was created by Paul Murray’s superb through-ball, which Smart drilled against the post from 12 yards. When the effort rebounded to him, Smart crossed for an unmarked Lee Duxbury to head home. Walker had a half-chance for the visitors before Murray and Smart combined again, failing by a whisker to set up Matthew Tipton. Athletic’s early attacks were nicely constructed and Tipton should have done better from Eyres’ astute pass. In the 25th minute, however, everything began to fall apart for the hosts as Sheridan again incurred a referee’s wrath. The frustration for Athletic was that the red-card incident was sparked by a mix-up, in which Sheridan and Baudet gave away possession when there was no apparent danger. Blackpool were level two minutes later, Walker converting Graham Fenton’s cross for his first of the night and first since signing. The Seasiders looked a different team from the one which had kicked off, threatening to score every time a chaotic home defence came under pressure. They did so after 36 minutes, with Walker’s bullet header from 10 yards the perfect end to a confident move. And, if Dean Holden hadn’t tackled him just as the trigger was pulled, John Hills would have made it three. Eyres and Tipton went close to re-attaching Athletic’s wheels with an equaliser, but Wadsworth still used half-time to adopt a new, bolder system. The initial results were spectacular. Within 32 seconds, Smart’s centre – which may well have been a miscued shot – was slammed into the far corner by Eyres for his ninth goal of the season. Blackpool’s Danny Coid missed a golden chance, his night getting much worse when he was carried off injured. But their lead was restored in the 65th minute. Athletic were again found wanting when the ball was delivered from wide, and this time sub John Murphy headed in from six yards. The action was relentless, with Murray and Smart having openings for Athletic, Murphy being denied on the line and Walker hitting a post. But the visitors finally sealed it with a typical dash from speedy Martin Bullock, whose shot squirmed through Gary Kelly’s dive. Walker’s hat-trick goal, a tap-in near the end, merely emphasised that it isn’t always harder to beat 10 men than 11. That’s especially true when you play as well as Blackpool – and when the opposition is as lousy as Athletic.
 JKLatics.com (oldhamathletic.rivals.net) 10 Man Latics in LDV Rout Latics made it 2 cup defeats in 2 at Boundary Park tonight as they crashed 5-2 to Blackpool. Struggling with 10 men after Daz Sheridan's second dismissal in 4 days, Latics have now conceded 7 goals in two games and clearly something is very wrong. Wads needs to do some quick thinking by Saturday. Latics 2-5 Blackpool Boundary Park, Oldham Wednesday 9 January 2002 Weather - Very Cold, Dry & 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Latics Team 1. Kelly 24. Holden 34. Baudet 32. Beherall 33. Armstrong 6. Duxbury 30 Murray 3. D. Sheridan 28 Eyres 35 Smart 9. Tipton   Subs - 2. McNiven (Eyres 83) 5. Balmer 10. Eyre ((Beharall 45) 17. Dudley (Tipton 45) 37. Rachubka Attendance 3349  
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Latics went out of the LDV trophy in some style at Boundary Park tonight when they conceded no less than 5 goals against Blackpool as they struggled with 10 men following the second dismissal in 2 matches of Darren Sheridan after 26 minutes. The last team to score that many at Boundary Park in a senior match was Man United in the Premiership. Latics took an early lead through Lee Duxbury but the visitors hit back with a brace by Richard Walker in an 8 minute spell midway through the half to make it 1-2 to the visitors. David Eyres levelled it one minute into the second half, but John Murphy gave the visitors the lead back on 65 minutes before Martin Bullock made it 2-4 on 80 minutes. Richard Walker completed his hat trick right at the death to give the Seasiders a comprehensive victory and to leave Latics facing a Saturday away visit to Chesterfield on the back of two consecutive cup defeats and more importantly seven goals conceded in those matches. Latics stated brightly and caught a sleepy looking Blackpool on the hop on 3 minutes when Paul Murray sent Alan Smart (above, with Tipton) through with an inch perfect pass. Smartie fired goalwards but the ball cannoned back off the post to the Scotsman who chipped the ball across the face of the goal to the unmarked Lee Duxbury who headed home to give the home side the lead. That spurred the Seasiders, who came back at once and took the game to Latics. Richard Walker issued a warning as he came close, before Tipton (below, right) had a one on one chance at the other end but needed too long to decide which way to go and he let in the defence to steal the ball and with it his chance of doubling Latics lead. Latics slowly deteriorated and Blackpool went then opposite way and by the time the Sheridan sending off came, Blackpool were already well on top. It all went per shaped however on 25 minutes, when Graham Fenton ran clear after a defensive mix up and Darren Sheridan shot after him, hauled him back and Fenton hit the deck. The linesman made up the ref's mind - as if he needed it - and Sheridan was sent packing under the last man rule. That left Latics in disarray and Blackpool were level minutes later as the same Fenton fed new man Richard Walker - what a bargain he looks or £50K - who slotted his low cross home. Blackpool continued to press and a shell shocked Latics could only sit in their first third and defend. It was only a matter of time before the visitors took the lead and it came on 36 minutes as Walker grabbed his second as he headed home a Martin Bullock cross. Latics were in complete disarray as they struggled to cope with Blackpool's slick passing and surging runs. It could have been 5-1 by half time, but somehow Latics managed to muddle through and the teams left the field with the score flattering Latics after a 20 minute battering, not seen in a long time. A recurrence of David Beharall's (below, left) ankle injury, sustained at Cheltenham last Sunday meant that he took no further part in the match, and Tippy's squandered efforts led to the introduction of the almost forgotten Craig Dudley as the teams trotted out for the second half. Wadsworth switched to three at the back and brought on John Eyre as a third striker in a do or die throw of the dice but instead of paying dividends, it cost dearly as Latics were cruelly exposed as they swept forward to chase the game. First though, they had to get onto level terms and this they did in a five minute spell of dominance at the start of the half, just as they had done at the start of the first half. At least we seem to have got over the annoying habit of conceding one or two at the start if the second half as Alan Smart, one of Latics best players on the night, got down the right wing and crossed far post for David Eyres to fire in an unstoppable shot to draw Latics level. It wasn't to last however. Latics held on for almost 20 minutes before John Murphy, who had replaced Graham Fenton 10 minutes before made his mark. Another cross, this time from Jaszsczun on the left, another flat footed defence and another nicely planted header by Murphy restored the visitors lead. Blackpool stepped up a gear now and as Latics chased the game again, they looked set to hit on the break and get to double figures. Murphy had one cleared off the line and Walker hit a post. That they managed only another two was a miracle. It could have been far more. The excellent Murphy hit the post, then a splendid solo effort from the ever resourceful Martin Bullock as the ex Barnsley man carved up Latics defence with a superb run before slotting home under Kelly to make it 4-2. Latics collapsed and it was only a matter of time before they added another. Richard Walker decided that he fancied the match ball and he made it three for him and five for the visitors at the death with a simple tap in with Latics defence again all over the place. They'll never play that badly again. Will they?? Ok Let's put those two behind us and get back to the league. Who's for Chesterfield on Saturday and the mighty Allott.....Gulp! - even he'd have scored against us tonight.  
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Here are Mike Stott's player ratings. 1. Gary Kelly - 6 - Couldn't really do much about the goals. Made a couple of good saves. 24. Dean Holden - 6 - Struggled a bit against the impressive John Hills. 33. Chris Armstrong - 7 - Linked up well with Eyres in first 20 minutes, but couldn't get forward after the Sheridan sending off. 34. Julian Baudet - 5 - His striker scored a hat-trick and looked to be at fault for Sheridan sending off. Bad game from the young Frenchman. 32. David Beharall - 6 - Went off injured at half-time. Didn't really see him in the first. 03. Darren Sheridan - 6 - Was playing quite well, before being sent off again. 30. Paul Murray - 7 - Great game from Muzza. Someone at Cheltenham kept saying Murray never makes a challenge. If he went last night, he'll never say that again. He got well stuck in. 06. Lee Duxbury - 6 - Good goal, but suffered from the Sheridan sending off. 28. David Eyres - 7 - Another superb goal from Eyrsey. Latics most consistent player. 09. Matthew Tipton - 6 - Did a lot of running, but looked knacked at the end of the half. Unlucky not to score a couple of goals. 35. Allan Smart - 8 - MOM - Really impressed with the lad. 2 good assists, never stopped running, and always encouraged the other players. Keep it up Smartie. SUBS 10. John Eyre (On for Matthew Tipton - 45 Mins) - 7 - Linked up pretty well with Smart. 17. Craig Dudley (On for David Beharall - 45 Mins) - 6 - Made some good runs, but had to help out the defence to often. 02. Scott McNiven (On for David Eyres - 83 Mins) - 6 - Late substitute. 05. Stuart Balmer - Unused Substitute. 37. Paul Rachubka - Unused Substitute. 
 Official Oldham Athletic Web Site (www.oldhamathletic.co.uk)Content from the Oldham Athletic Web Site is used with permission of Oldham Athletic Football Club Injury Update

The news was not so good last night both on the field and off it, especially for David Beharall who took no part in the second half defeat against Blackpool.  Paul told us "David took a knock on his ankle on Sunday and it is one of those niggling little injuries, he should still be available for Saturday but is under intensive treatment at the moment". Lee Duxbury was another player who picked up a knock yesterday that puts a question mark over his inclusion for Chesterfield.  Paul explained "Dux has a slight calf strain, so we've also got him under intensive treatment". Carlo Corazzin was back in full training this week after his operation just before Christmas.  Carlo will be looking to play in the reserves next week.  Wayne Gill is having the plaster taken off his left leg tomorrow and Shaun Garnett will be seeing a specialist, who hopefully will allow Shaun to return to full training on Monday. Paul Jones continues to work hard in re-hab, Paul said "We're looking to get Jonesie back playing in a month's time". 

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