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Today's Edition for
 
    11th February 2002 
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 Oldham Evening Chronicle (www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk) Eyre earns new deal with Latics ATHLETIC are set to reward golden oldie David Eyres with a new extension to his contract. The winger, whose 38th birthday is in a fortnight, has opened talks about staying at Boundary Park for another 12 months. His current deal expires at the end of the season and Athletic have taken early steps to keep hold of their top scorer. Eyres has struck 12 times this season - including a hot streak of nine goals in 166 appearances - and shows no sign of slowing down. After the former Ford worker sealed a vital win against Brighton on Saturday, setting up one goal and scoring the other, coach Mick Wadsworth was full of admiration for his oldest player. Wadsworth said: "Eyresy defies the years. He has been a terrific player for me and there's plenty more life in him yet." Athletic are still discussing terms with their other scorer against Brighton, midfield man Matty Appleby. The 29-year-old can leave Barnsley in a free transfer and both parties are keen to make his loan move permanent. Even if nothing is finalised this week, Appleby will be eligible to play at Bristol City on Saturday. John Sheridan may be doubtful for the trip after a recurrence of his long-standing knee trouble. Wadsworth was delighted to beat Brighton and picked out strong displays from goalkeeper Paul Rachubka and French centre-back Julien Baudet. He said: "Julien has things to learn about the nuances and refinements of defending, but he can only get better and better. "Paul is a very talented lad and it's a shame his loan spell runs out in a couple of weeks." On-loan Cristian Colusso is pencilled in for a reserve-team game when Athletic meet Burnley at Boundary Park on Wednesday. The Argentinian midfielder, who would cost around £2million, has already had a brief taste of senior action. Wadsworth added: "If I'd been brave, Cristian would have got on the pitch earlier because he always demands the ball. "But it was all a bit frantic and helter-skelter, so I decided to keep him back." 
Vibrant Athletic display their promotion potential ATHLETIC made an ideal start to the big tests ahead as Saturday's win was their most important of the season so far. By beating second-placed Brighton, they took crucial points off one of their rivals in the cut-throat chase for promotion. Not only that, they proved to themselves, a healthy crowd and the rest of division two that there is enough quality in the side to make a serious bid. And they ensured confidence is sky-high for the rest of Fateful February, when they have still to meet play-off contenders Bristol City, Tranmere and Brentford. Goals from Matty Appleby and David Eyres - his 12th this term- finished off Brighton,, who were second-best in every department. This was only the Seagulls' fifth defeat, but Athletic's all-round strength meant an excellent result was thoroughly deserved. To cap the Brighton misery, they had star striker Bobby Zamora sent off for kicking Chris Armstrong when he was denied a free-kick near the end. But, barring an extraordinary twist, the game was over by then and Athletic had brought first-division football - once a distant speck, now coming into focus - a few inches closer. It wasn't always pretty, the swirling wind made sure of that, but Athletic again showed the right intentions to pass their way to victory. They kept Brighton stretched and forced more errors than one expects from a team with their defensive record. Paul Murray was absolutely outstanding on the right of midfield, hardly misplacing a pass in a neat, creative and industrious display. Appleby did much of the less glamorous work alongside him, while the forwards put themselves about with brave abandon. It was at the back, however, that Athletic produced their best work. In fact, no part of the team has topped this performance for quite a while. Goalkeeper Paul Rachubka did everything asked of him and all four defenders emerged with great credit, especially the towering Julien Baudet. Though Athletic were unchanged, there was a major shock on the teamsheet - Brighton hero Zamora was a non-starter. The lethal 20-year-old was rested ahead of tonight's top-two battle with Reading, a risky business as they needed to win on Saturday before thinking about the leaders. The gamble backfired as Peter Taylor's side only threatened seriously when Zamora was their spearhead for 28 menacing minutes. He was the 11th man sent off against Athletic this season and his suspension is a massive blow to Brighton's promotion hopes. The visitors were opened up early on, with a sparkling move only just failing to set up Eyres at the far post. But the pattern was already emerging as Brighton packed defence and challenged their opponents to become footballing safebreakers. Cracking the combination was sure to be tough and set-pieces were the best bet, especially as referee Chris Foy couldn't go two minutes without giving a free-kick - including one against Brighton's Daniel Webb for diving. From one such set-piece the ball dropped invitingly to Baudet but, losing his calm touch, he ballooned his shot way off target. There was no mistake on the half-hour, though, when Athletic went in front with a corner routine which came straight from the training ground. Eyres drilled his cross to Appleby just inside the box and the loan player's well-struck volley beat an unsighted goalkeeper. Carlo Corazzin almost made it two with an acrobatic header from Murray's deep, right-wing cross. But Athletic, having caused increasing problems, found double food for thought after 41 minutes: John Sheridan was forced off with injury and they allowed Paul Rogers a clear opening which he scuffed wide. Paul Brooker had a half-chance after the break, while there was controversy at a throw-in as Baudet was accused - though, crucially, not by the officials - of punching Webb off the ball. Brighton were emerging from their shell and Zamora's arrival showed their original gameplan was now in the bin. Zamora, almost inevitably, had an instant impact as his first touch was a header which unluckily came back off the crossbar. Then his clever dummy set up Brooker, who could only shoot straight at Rachubka. The balance had tilted in Brighton's favour and it became more obvious how they had reached their lofty position in the league. Organised at the back with Zamora prowling dangerously up front, they had Athletic clinging on to a tenuous lead. Zamora and Brooker combined after 75 minutes to create their best opportunity and give Rachubka his chance to shine. Brooker charged through one-on-one with the young 'keeper, who stood his ground to make an intelligent save. His reward was to watch in admiration as Athletic doubled their lead with another entry in the David Eyres Gallery of the Spectacular. Gary Hart handled 20 yards out and Eyres launched an exocet of a free-kick into the top right-hand corner. By now, Brighton knew it wasn't their day. And Zamora's red card, for a petulant and senseless brainstorm, merely confirmed it. It was only left for Argentinian Cristian Colusso to make a brief Athletic debut. He ran on during a torrential downpour and hardly got a kick - welcome to English football Cristian, at least you've joined a team with genuine play-off potential.

Breaks went our way, admits Wadsworth 
MICK WADSWORTH hailed his Athletic players after their "huge win" against high-flying Brighton. The coach felt several key moments went his team's way but acknowledged the importance of victory. He said: "It wasn't a great performance in terms of our football, but I put that down to the difficult conditions. "The wind was the biggest factor and it was difficult for either team to play constructive possession football. "But it's a huge win because we need results like this if we are to continue having a chance of the play-offs. "It was one of our best since I came to the club and maybe compares with us beating Wycombe here when they were riding high. "Brighton are a good team so I'm very pleased, especially with the back four who kept another clean sheet. "We deserved to be in front at half-time and we held out well when Brighton made it tough for 25 or 30 minutes. "Maybe we got a break or two as well because Bobby Zamora hit the bar when nine times out of ten he would have scored. "And there were other turning points. Paul Rachubka made a very good save, David Eyres hit a wonderful free-kick and there was Zamora being sent off, which gave us a big advantage. "Our first goal was important because it was what we needed playing into the wind after half-time. "We've tried to work that corner a few times without success, but Matty Appleby hit his shot beautifully. "The second was another great strike and everybody knows what Eyresy can do with his left foot. "Matty spotted a gap for him, so he didn't bother with any swerve or dip - he just gave it the hammer." The fact Zamora, division two's top scorer, was only a substitute took everyone by surprise. Brighton manager Peter Taylor explained: "He is very tired. He came to me on Tuesday and said he was absolutely shattered. "Bob doesn't just play in the penalty box, he gets everywhere for the benefit of the team and, with us having another game on Monday, this was our only chance to rest him." 

 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 
New Stand Sponsor For Latics

Oldham Athletic Football Club has secured a new stand sponsor – family owned pie-manufacturing business Pukka-Pies. The three-year sponsorship agreement includes a substantial investment of over £40,000 into the Club. In return the Club will rename the Main Stand - the ‘Pukka-Pies Stand’ and provide the firm with a number of marketing opportunities around matchdays including perimeter and programme advertising. As part of the deal the Club will now sell a variety of the firm’s award winning pies through its catering kiosks around Boundary Park. Commenting, Pukka-Pies Executive David Bell said; "We are delighted to be involved with Latics who are clearly a team on the up. This represents a great opportunity for us to build our brand in the NorthWest. However, we will also be helping Latics to get their message across to new supporters as we will be organising joint posters and point of sale in chip shops and takeaways around the region." He added "We found great synergy between us and the Club as we are both family focused." Pukka-Pies sponsorship follows their recent agreement to sponsor the rapidly growing junior section - Boundary Blues. Commenting for the Club, Sean Jarvis, Marketing and PR Manager said: "This is a great partnership in which we should both benefit - a kind of a win-win situation. We are looking forward to working together on future initiatives." Reserve Team Outing For Colusso

Latics' Argentinian import Cristian Colusso, who has been signed until the end of the season (he is not on loan), made his First Team debut on Saturday coming on in the 86th minute replacing Carlo Corazzin. It was his first taste of English football and the weather seemed to give him a wonderful welcome as the heavens opened just as he was about to enter the field. But the crowd made up for the weather as he took the field to rapturous applause. Latics fans will be able to see more of Colusso this week when he will play in the Reserves side which takes on Burnley at Boundary Park on Wednesday night - kick off 7 pm. 
Eyres To Stay?

Will David Eyres be staying at Boundary Park? Latics confirmed today that they have opened talks with David Eyres about extending his contract, which expires in June, for a further year. Eyres will be 38 on the 26th February but this season he has looked as fresh as ever and contributed 11 goals in the club's push for promotion. Head Coach Mick Wadsworth feels he can be a valuable member of the First Team squad for a further 12 months and it is hoped the matter will be concluded later this week. 
Miskelly Misses Out

Keeper David Miskelly has missed out on a call-up for the full Northern Ireland squad. The Irish have a friendly game against Poland on Wednesday and first choice keeper Roy Carroll has had to pull out. Team Manager Sammy MacIlroy immediately turned to David Miskelly unaware that the 22-year old was still recovering from a dislocated shoulder and was not due to return to action until the beginning of April. 
Matty keen to stayThe club are still holding talks with Matty Appleby's agent regarding a permanent move to Boundary Park. Appleby, currently on loan from Barnsley, would like to secure the permanent move before his loan period ends this Saturday.  Chief Executive Alan Hardy said "We opened talks with Matty's agent last week and I am hopeful that the matter can be concluded later this week and I promise that the official website will be the first to know as soon as terms are agreed.

 TEAMtalk (www.teamtalk.co.uk) Wadsworth hails "huge" Latics win 
Mick Wadsworth admitted that yesterday's superb 2-0 victory over high-flying Brighton at Boundary Park was "a huge win" for his side. Goals from Matty Appleby (30) and David Eyres (81) earned The Latics their 10th home win of the season and kept them in the hunt for a place in the end-of-season play-offs. A delighted Wadsworth said: "That was a huge win for us because Brighton are a very good side. "There were three key incidents, one at 1-0 when our keeper made a great save, and then Zamora hit the bar when nine times out of 10 he would have scored. Finally Zamora was sent-off, and that was a big advantage for us. "We deserved to be in front at half-time but they made it hard for us for about 30 minutes after the break. But we held out and our back four was superb. It was always difficult to play constructive football." Boss' praise for debutant 
Mick Wadsworth feels Cristian Colusso will be "an exceptional player" after his debut prompted a standing ovation from the fans. The little Argentinian only played for the last 15 minutes of the game against Brighton, but he has already become a fans' favourite simply for choosing to play for The Latics. The £2million-rated midfielder, on loan until the end of the season, has already shown his undoubted skills in training. Boss Wadsworth explained his late arrival in the game, saying: "I might have brought him on a bit earlier, but it was helter-skelter stuff and a bit frenetic, so I decided to keep him back. "But he still had time to show a few good touches and I think he will be an exceptional player for us." On a windy and rain-lashed afternoon, the home side took all three points with spectacular strikes from set-piece moves, which bore the hallmark of plenty of practice on the training ground. On-loan midfielder Matty Appleby volleyed the first from a corner on the half hour to make it two in five games. Veteran top scorer David Eyres will find it hard to hit a better strike than his 81st minute free-kick, which took his goal tally to 12 for the season. The Latics had to work hard to stay unbeaten at Boundary Park under Wadsworth's stewardship, but there is no doubt that a fine and vital victory was well deserved. Wadsworth added: "It was not one of our best showings, but the weather was the biggest factor. "I would defy any team to play constructive, possession football under those conditions. "In the end it was a big win and we needed it to give ourselves a chance of reaching the play-offs." 
Latics look to sign Appleby 
The Latics have opened talks with on-loan midfielder Matty Appleby to make his move from first division Barnsley permanent. The 29-year-old scored his second goal in five games in Saturday's 2-0 win over promotion rivals Brighton and has impressed boss Mick Wadsworth during his brief spell at Boundary Park. Appleby, who is being given a free transfer by The Tykes, is due to play his final game at Bristol City on Saturday. But Wadsworth is hoping to have the deal finalised well before then.
Appleby cost £250,000 when Barnsley bought him from Darlington and he went on to become a key player in their Premiership season. The Latics have made an offer of personal terms and are now waiting for the player to come back to them. 
Sugden and Salt head seawards 
Ryan Sugden and Phil Salt, who were released by the club last week, are to enter discussions about possible moves to Conference side Scarborough. Striker Sugden, 21, and midfielder Salt, 22, had their contracts torn up by mutual consent. Sugden was the subject of an earlier inquiry from Scarborough and it is understood both players are ready to kick-start their careers on the East coast. They will be joining two other former Latics players in the struggle to beat relegation; Mark Hotte and Paul Shepherd. 
Allott ponders future Mark Allott is considering his future with one week left of his loan spell at Chesterfield; and Spireites boss Dave Rushbury is keen to sign him. Allott, who has 18 months remaining on his contract at Boundary Park has expressed interest in joining Chesterfield, but it remains to be seen whether his personal demands will be a stumbling block. Allott apparently wants another month on loan to give him more time to consider his position. Meanwhile, The Latics' second-string will entertain Burnley on Wednesday night, and loan signing Cristian Calusso is likely to play a full 90 minutes. Calusso enjoyed 15 minutes against Brighton on Saturday and is expected to be selected for the midweek clash; allowing him to fully acclimatise to the English game. And finally, Brighton striker Bobby Zamora has received a three match ban after being sent off in that game against The Latics at the weekend. Zamora was given his marching orders after recklessly kicking Chris Armstrong four minutes from time.
 Zamora earns boss' backing 
Peter Taylor refused to condemn Bobby Zamora for his sending-off during yesterday's disappointing 2-0 defeat at Oldham Athletic. Zamora saw red in the 84th minute for kicking out at Latics full-back Chris Armstrong to complete a miserable afternoon for The Seagulls as they lost further ground to leaders Reading in the Division Two title race. However, Taylor refused to criticise the £5million-rated star, insisting he was frustrated at Albion's ineffective display. He said: "He was body-checked by an Oldham player who wasn't going to win the ball and got frustrated, and although kicking someone isn't the right way to go about it, I can understand why he did it."
On the result, Taylor admitted he was "disappointed" to lose but felt his side would be able to bounce back for Monday's crunch clash with The Royals. He added: "I was very disappointed to concede two goals from set-pieces. I always knew it would be very difficult to come here so we set out to stop Oldham and then try to win the game.
"Obviously it didn't work but we'll have no problems in picking up the players for Monday's game against Reading." 
Zamora eyeing starting role 
Bobby Zamora is expected to return to the starting line-up against Reading this evening after his ill-fated substitute appearance on Saturday. Zamora was rested from the first-team after informing boss Peter Taylor that he was struggling with tiredness, having played in every game for The Seagulls this term. Taylor responded by naming Zamora as a substitute and brought him on in the second half. Zamora hit the woodwork and almost freed Gary Hart before he was sent-off in the closing stages of the game for kicking out at Chris Armstrong. However, despite earning himself a three-match ban for his indiscretion, Zamora will return to the team for tonight's clash with promotion rivals Reading at The Withdean Stadium. Lee Steele is also waiting to discover if he has been recalled. Otherwise, the remainder of the squad that has helped Brighton into second place behind The Royals is very much in evidence. Brighton are hoping that the game goes ahead this evening, at the second time of asking. The original fixture was called off because of frost and whilst there is every hope that this evening's game goes ahead, the recent high winds and heavy rain have restricted the groundstaff's efforts to ready the pitch. 
Taylor wary over Zamora fitness Peter Taylor admitted that he was keen to protect Bobby Zamora from being over-played as he rested him for Saturday's clash at Oldham. Taylor took the bold decision to start him on the bench against Oldham where Albion went down 2-0. Zamora did play most of the second half and hit the bar with a characteristic header but then he was sent off for the first time in his career and can now look forward to a rest, albeit an enforced one, for three matches. Taylor is clearly worried that Zamora, scorer of 25 goals this season, is suffering from an overload having played in all but a handful of matches over the last year-and-a-half. Anxious not to kill the golden goose, Taylor sprung a major surprise by leaving him out of the starting line up and was unrepentant later: ''Bobby is tired. I noticed it in training in the week and I saw it in his face.
"For a lad just turned 21 he has played a lot of football and needs the chance to get back some of his vitality. I don't think it's a serious problem but one I felt needed to be addressed sooner rather than later. ''It's not as though he does not want to play - I think he does, but sometimes you need to do what you think is best for the player and for the team.'' The incessant transfer speculation and his importance to the Brighton cause have all weighed heavily on his young shoulders but his impending ban may serve to rejuvenate him with some big matches to come. Zamora will sit out the matches against Wrexham, Bournemouth and Stoke.

Second striker ban blow Young striker Danny Webb, who was preferred to Bobby Zamora at Oldham, is facing the prospect of a two-match ban. Webb, the son of former Chelsea star David, has collected ten bookings already this season, seven of them with his previous club Southend. Having served one ban for reaching five bookings he will now sit out two for getting to ten, and like Zamora, Webb will miss the matches against Wrexham and Bournemouth. This might at least provide a new chance for second-leading scorer Lee Steele who was left out of the squad altogether inexplicably at Oldham. Webb is still very inexperienced and was signed on an extended loan with the view to a £25,000 transfer if all went well at the end of the season. It was perhaps asking too much of him to take on the Oldham defence single-handedly. Of the other 15 players named by manager Peter Taylor only Zamora was a striker.
 

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