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Today's Edition for
 
    11th March 2002 
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 Oldham Evening Chronicle (www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk) Appleby blow to play-off hopes ATHLETIC suffered another blow to their play-off hopes over the weekend when midfield man Matty Appleby was hit by injury. As well as losing at Wigan – a result which forced them out of the all-important top six – they saw Appleby limp off with a groin problem. The 29-year-old, who has been ever-present since signing from Barnsley, will probably miss Athletic’s home game with Cardiff on Saturday. If he needs the usual three-week break for a muscle strain, matches against table-toppers Reading and rock-bottom Cambridge will also be off the agenda. The consolation for Athletic is that Paul Murray, their driving force in recent weeks, is now free of suspension. Another midfielder, Tony Carss, is fully recovered from long-term injury problems and has been making good progress in the reserves. The reigning player of the year was included in a 17-man squad at Wigan. The reserves are in action at Boundary Park tonight, taking on Manchester United in the Manchester Senior Cup (7pm). Cristian Colusso is poised to start the tie after being restricted to substitute appearances in the last two league games. Colusso is on loan and Athletic have yet to make a final decision on keeping him. His club, Rosario Central, want a fee of around £2million. The Argentinian lines up with Wayne Gill, who is on his way back from injury, and Craig Dudley, who turned down a second month at Scunthorpe in order to fight for his place. Of the six trialists who played last week, three – striker Alistair Hezelton and defenders Marcel Nugent and Graham Gartland – will feature again. Reserves (from): Whittle, Nugent, McNiven, Holden, Hardy, Duxbury, Gill, Rickers, Carss, Colusso, Dudley, Grange, Smith, Gartland, Boshell, Hezelton. Away form hindering Latics’ bid for play-off place ATHLETIC'S travel sickness is in serious danger of ruining their bid for a play-off spot. Defeat at Wigan means they have managed just four wins out of 20 on the road, losing more than half their away games in 2002. It is a worrying trend which has to be reversed, or the promotion Athletic crave will be delayed for at least one more season. Though outstanding form at Boundary Park helps enormously, there is a glaring need to back it up when home comforts aren't available. The latest setback followed disappointing draws at Peterborough and Bury, a pair of strugglers who aren't clear of relegation fears just yet. Wigan were a different proposition, a side who ought to be higher than mid-table. But losing at the JJB Stadium was still a poor result for play-off chasers. Nor could Athletic have many complaints. The home team, for whom Andy Liddell scored a clinical winner, shaded 90 minutes of hard-fought, wind-affected, less-than-pretty football. And it doesn't get any easier for Mick Wadsworth and his men. The away tests still to come are at leaders Reading, Huddersfield Town, who have now usurped Athletic in the top six, and that always-awkward place to visit, Wycombe. Without the banned Paul Murray to chug away at both ends — his invention was sorely missed — Athletic slotted Julien Baudet into midfield for their second derby clash of the week. His role was largely defensive and involved keeping a close eye on winger Peter Kennedy. In that sense, it was eminently practical. But Athletic also found their attacking edge being blunted, despite the return of leading marksman David Eyres from injury. They created few clear-cut chances, and certainly not the volume we have come to expect from a team topping the scoring charts in division two. Those they did carve out arrived in flurries, most notably when the game was goalless and Carlo Corazzin and Darren Sheridan were denied in the same move. Most of the time Wigan stayed rock solid, with centre-backs Arjan de Zeeuw and Jason de Vos repelling every attempt at an aerial threat. The supply of crosses, or rather the lack of it, was a problem which stemmed from using Baudet, Sheridan and Matty Appleby as a midfield trio whose strength is very much as back-four protectors. The forwards didn't have their usual support, while a shortage of explosive pace was evident when Athletic tried to hit on the break. Other than goalkeeper Gary Kelly, none of Wadsworth's players did themselves justice — this was a similar showing to the draw at Bury in that Athletic could have been tighter at the back and more vibrant up front. Wigan were well drilled and the narrow margin was about right, but improvement is definitely needed in the last seven games of the season. Both sides opened tentatively and, though Athletic were more purposeful on the ball, there was nothing of note in the first half-hour. Wigan's Lee McCulloch tried to break the tedium with a volley from outside the box, but it bobbled wide in suitably tame manner. As a bitter wind blew round the ground, something was badly needed to ward off the shivers. Kennedy could have provided it after reaching Liddell's deep cross, only to fire high and wide when there was time to control. The miss, however, did raise the game's tempo and was followed by some uncompromising tackles, mostly from Athletic. Allan Smart was booked for leading with his arm, while Appleby and Paul Mitchell squared up and touched foreheads when the visiting captain went in high — other referees would have sent Appleby off for the combination of his foul and reaction. Wigan were denied what looked a cast-iron penalty after 35 minutes, Stuart Balmer the man to escape with his challenge on McCulloch. They were now in control, but the first half trundled to a halt without either goalkeeper being seriously tested. Athletic put that right in the 53rd minute after Smart's cross found Corazzin, whose well-hit shot was superbly saved by John Filan. When the rebound dropped to Sheridan 16 yards out, the former Wigan man, who would have loved a goal after being jeered by the home crowd, had his effort booted off the line. Baudet also went close for the visitors, his diving header from an Eyres corner flashing wide. But Wigan struck just past the hour as Liddell controlled McCulloch's flick, accelerated away from the defence and beat Kelly with a stylish low drive from 12 yards. The lead would have doubled within seven minutes if Kelly hadn't grabbed a towering header from big centre-back de Vos. And the ’keeper again showed quick reactions when Scott Green's skill almost gave Kennedy a chance he couldn't miss. Understandably, Wigan began to focus on defence as the prospect of a precious derby win loomed large. Athletic made three substitutions in an effort to find their spark. They nearly worked in the closing stages, but not nearly enough. First Chris Armstrong cut inside to find Corazzin, only for the striker's control to let him down. Then Filan produced a point-blank stop from the stretching Smart. Finally, in stoppage time, Cristian Colusso chipped narrowly over the bar after the ’keeper punched to him 20 yards out — not even the Argentinian could conjure a point out of this one.

Wadsworth is frustrated at playing catch-up 
ATHLETIC'S trip to Wigan saw them fall behind for the seventh game in succession—– and their coach admitted the problem had to be stamped out. Mick Wadsworth, who said he would “dearly love” to reach the play-offs this season, was frustrated that his side had to play catch-up again. Wadsworth explained: “You have to keep clean sheets if you are going to mount an assault, but we are going behind in too many games. “You can't keep coming back for a win or a point, and this time we've paid for it. “It's always hard to win away from home and the fact we play open, attacking football will often leave the back door open. “But we'll keep working on a strategy which is watertight because we haven't been able to develop that yet. “It was always going to be a very tight game and had 1-0 written all over it from the first minute. “There was nothing between the sides from start to finish, but we had good chances to get a couple of goals. “Carlo Corazzin had two fantastic opportunities and there were others for Allan Smart, Julien Baudet and Darren Sheridan. “We need to be more ruthless at both ends because that's where games are won and lost — if you miss your gilt-edged chances, you pay the consequences. “I would have been happy with a draw because Wigan are a good team, but this is no disaster and there's still everything to play for at the top of the table. “Although we've lost ground, there are more home games left than away games and we have to get cracking in them. “You always take positives and, if you look where we started in November, the fortunes of the club show a huge improvement. “The fans can see that because they are turning up in greater numbers, and you can be sure we won't take our eye off the ball. “They are all big games for us now and we would dearly love to make the play-offs. “But it's a lot nicer being in this situation than being at the bottom, so I don't feel any pressure.” Wigan manager Paul Jewell, who has suffered only three defeats in 23 games, said: “The conditions weren't easy, but we took the game by the scruff of the neck. “It was a good team performance and we created chances, whereas Oldham didn't have many even when they threw people forward.” 

 Rivals match reports JKLatics.com (oldhamathletic.rivals.net) Latics Wobble as Play Offs Recede Latics went down at the JJB today against a Wigan side who looked far more hungry than the Blues. One Point from Six against low placed teams won't get us in the play offs and there can't be many more slip-ups like this if 2002 is to be our year. Latics all but blew their play of hopes today at the JJB Stadium in windy conditions which made a decent match nigh on impossible. Wigan looked much the more hungry and had the bulk of possession in the first half. Second half and Latics were better but that cutting edge up front was missing and quite a few chances ended up going begging. With Paul Murray being unavailable through suspension, Wadsworth brought Julien Baudet into a three man midfield and played David Eyres just behind a front pairing of Carlo Corazzin and Alan Smart. David Reeves, injured on Tuesday failed to make the bench, as did the long awaited Tony Carss. Memo to Mick Wadsworth. The whole team looks wrong without David Eyres wide left. He has no room to play in the centre of the park and is wasted. There are no crosses from the left and young Chris Armstrong looks frightened to death without the reliable and experienced Scouser in front of him. Too many players had off days today. Matty Appleby looked decidedly off colour, as did Darren Sheridan who, although he was involved in a lot, gave the ball away too cheaply and too often. That said, he had a shot cleared off the line and he himself cleared off the line to save a certain Wigan goal. A mixed day for our mini assassin. The aforementioned Chris Armstrong looked nervous doing a solo out left but the back four of Beharall, Balmer, Armstrong and Clegg worked pretty well as a unit apart from the Wigan goal. Midfield was where we were lacking. I've already mentioned the lack of width on the left and the average displays of Shezz and Matty. Julien Baudet did OK. Class on the ball and three more of him would have won the game for us. Up front, the presence of David Eyres in the middle again unbalanced the attack, forcing Alan Smart out wide at times and leaving gaping gaps where Carlo Corazzin's flick-ons went. Come on Mick, it don't work. Drop it. Both sides looked nervous early on and Darren Sheridan's distribution was very dodgy at the start - it didn't improve much either. Latics first real chance came on 9 minutes when a Julien Baudet cross from the right found Carlo well placed but the Canadian slid in and just failed to connect with the ball and the chance went begging. Hearts in the mouth time one minute later when a through ball found Lee McCulloch. He looked offside but the flag stayed down for an agonising moment before the lino thought better of it and lifted his arm. Near thing. Two minutes later another Latics chance when a corner broke to Matty 
Appleby whose bullet shot hit DeZeeuw and went inches wide. Wigan had a great chance on 20 minutes after Andy Liddell dived in the box and the ref. ignored him. The ball was cleared only as far as Lee McCulloch who fired in a fierce shot which skimmed Kelly's right hand post. Two minutes later, Latics had a further chance when Alan Smart's spin and shot failed to test Filan in the Wigan goal, before Peter Kennedy put his shot from the clearance of a Scott Green cross miles over the bar. Not very inspiring stuff any of this. Wigan had most of the possession but both sides hadn't much idea in the final third of the pitch. Wigan's impotence in this area is reflected in their goals for tally for the season. Not so Latics, whose goals for tally suggests a higher standard. Not on display today though. On 27 minutes, Stuart Balmer came to the rescue to clear a cross which had eluded Kelly and he took the ball right off the head off Lee McCulloch to save a goal, then 3 minutes later, Balmer was in action at the other end as Matt Appleby took a short corner and David Eyres lobbed in the ball over the assembled masses. It fell nicely for Balmer, lurking on the far post but his shot was deflected. Wigan then had their first corner of the match, which gives an indication of the standard of attacking and the Balmer clearance was fired 10 feet over the bar as it fell to Paul Mitchell on the edge of the box. It continued, almost ad nauseum. Cross, clearance, shot over bar or wide from Wigan, Latics content to sit back and soak it all up. Scott Green on the Wigan right, had a beano. With only Chris Armstrong to contend with, Green ran the show down the right. Forced to defend too far forward in the absence of any support, (Shezz dropped in but only centrally) Chris had to do all the wing work. If he missed his tackle or stood off - and he did that quite a lot - Green was free to fire in a cross or play the ball into feet with no opposition. Wadsworth should have spotted this like the rest of us and done something about it. He failed to do so. On 37 minutes, McCulloch scored a 5.9 for a great dive, the first of many but the ref. was impassive. It may just have been a penalty but McCulloch blew any chance he had with his theatrics. The ball was cleared to Andy Liddell who placed it neatly 30 feet over the bar as McCulloch sat moaning in front of Kelly as everyone, including his own team mates, ignored him. As half time approached, a rare chance at the Latics end as Carlo Corazzin shot inches wide after David Eyres fed him nicely, then Andy Liddell decided to try his hand at diving but got nothing. On 42 minutes Chris Armstrong was adjudged to have pulled a Wigan shirt on the edge of the box. Peter Kennedy's free kick was a stinger and Darren Sheridan took it full force to deflect it clear - bet that stung - then in a Wigan purple patch as time ran oout, Andy Liddell put his shot over from the edge of the box and just before the whistle, another Peter Kennedy free kick, this time from 25 yards, whistled by Kelly's post. All square at half time. It looked as if one goal would win this and that's how it turned out. Chances going begging at either end and poor finishing all round made for a pretty dire display by two very average looking sides. Second half. More of the same really. Latics started off a little more lively, presumably with a Wads rocket still ringing in their ears. Carlo and Smartie exchanged passes nicely on the right before Carlo fed Eyrsie but the shot was easily covered by Filan. Three minutes later came Latics best chance of the match when Alan Smart made a great run down the right, cut inside, nutmegged Steve McMillan and slid the ball across to Carlo Corazzin. Carlo's point blank shot was somehow saved by the boot of Filan and the ball rebounded to Darren Sheridan on the edge of the box. Shezz fired in a stinger over the still prone keeper, only to see it cleared off the line by De Zeeuw.  Latics were having their best spell of the match now and five minutes later, Julien Baudet flung himself at a David Eyres corner which flew inches wide before it all went pear shaped as Wigan hit on the counter attack and Andy Liddell was fed from midfield.  Liddell was just onside from the pass and shot through the Latics back four, drawing Kelly out before sliding the ball beneath him to put the home side ahead. Good goal. 1-0 to Wigan. Wigan lit up after the goal and came at Latics. Latics absorbed it all routinely but it was panic stations after 66 minutes as Liddell again went down theatrically in the box, the ref. again was having none of it and a session of pin ball ensued before the ball was cleared for a corner. From the corner, Lee McCulloch's bullet header beat Kelly but Darren Sheridan was on the line to clear. Wadsworth brought on Lee Duxbury to replace the out of sorts Appleby and one minute later Christian Colusso for Darren Sheridan and this did buck Latics up a bit. Ten minutes later Holden came on for Michael Clegg and again Latics got a boost, Holden getting forward much more effectively than Clegg did. It was all to no avail though, as Wigan continued to press and Latics only attacked in fits and starts. Gary Kelly needed to be at his best on 72 minutes as he came out fast to cover a Scott Green ball, bound for the unmarked Kennedy, then Andy Liddell fired in a peach of a low cross across the Latics goal from a McCulloch pass but the chance went begging as the home side's strikers were creating chances for themselves. Someone needs to tell them that if they put in crosses for themselves, they won't be there when they arrive, God bless 'em. Latics had a half chance on 79 when a long cross from the excellent Julien Baudet was flicked on by Chris Armstrong for Carlo but the keeper was out fast to just pip the Canadian to the ball. 
Then David Beharall's poor clearance found Andy Liddell at the edge of the box but the Wigan striker skied his shot. As time ran out, Gary Kelly made the save of the match. Julien Baudet slipped on the muddy pitch and Tony Dinning raced clear with the ball. He took it half the length of the pitch but Kelly was down like Gordon Banks to shove the effort round the post. Surprisingly, it was all Latics as the seconds ticked away. Carlo had a half chance when Chris Armstrong's ball through took a bad bounce and moved away from the Canadian who had an open goal to shoot at, then right at the death, a David Eyres free kick was flicked cleverly on by Alan Smart but Filan got his finger tips to it as the ball threatened to drop behind him into the Wigan net. That was it. One point from six and Latics are going to have to improve on their away form to stand any chance of rescuing a play off place.  Cardiff next Saturday - need I say it? - Six pointer - must win etc. etc. etc.

Cockneylatic.co.uk (wiganathletic.rivals.net)Liddell on target again as Oldham are sunk at JJB Andy Liddell's 14th goal of the season was enough to secure all three points for Wigan at the JJB Stadium in front of the biggest crowd so far this season and dented the visitors' play-off hopes into the bargain. Andy Liddell's 14th league goal of the season ensured that Wigan gained sweet revenge for previous season's defeats against Oldham and denting the Boundary Park side's play-off hopes came as an added bonus. The 'other' Latics boasted three players who had previously worn a Wigan shirt in their starting line up. Oldham defender Stuart Balmer and midfielder Darren Sheridan were both shown the door by Wigan last summer and Michael Clegg played six games for Wigan at the tail end of the 99/00 season whilst on loan from Manchester United. Wigan were without defender Matt Jackson and winger Gary Teale who both picked up knocks during the midweek win over Cambridge United. Ged Brannan continued to miss out and Paul Mitchell stepped in again to take his place in the centre of midfield whilst Peter Kennedy returned from a two match suspension. The conditions at the JJB Stadium weren't the most ideal for a game of football with a bitterly cold wind swirling around the ground but once both sides had got a grip on the proceedings we saw quite an entertaining afternoon's football. After 18 minutes a Scott Green cross was flicked on by the head of Andy Liddell, setting up Lee McCulloch for a shot on goal but his effort from 15 yards out sailed wide of the mark. In the 24th minute Peter Kennedy blasted the ball over the bar and into the North Stand when a cross from Stephen McMillan was only half cleared by Oldham and two minutes later Kennedy sent over a corner which again was only half cleared, this time as far as Paul Mitchell who sent his effort the same way as Kennedy's previous attempt. Tony Dinning earned Wigan another corner just after the half hour mark when his shot on goal took a deflection and from the corner sent over by Kennedy skipper Arjan De Zeeuw headed narrowly wide. Minutes later Paul Mitchell earned himself a yellow card for his reaction to a foul on him by Matt Appleby in which the young Wigan star had a large hole torn into the back of his shorts courtesy of the Oldham midfielder's studs. Mitchell was obviously incensed by the challenge and foolishly squared up to his rival earning himself a caution along with Appleby. Wigan pushed forward from the resulting free kick and were denied what looked to be an obvious penalty as Lee McCulloch was dropped in the area by his former team mate Stuart Balmer. To the home support's disbelief the Chester referee was having none of it and play continued. In the dying seconds of the first half Peter Kennedy sent a well struck free kick narrowly wide as the first period ended goalless. Minutes after the restart veteran midfielder David Eyres tested John Filan after the 38 year old was sent through on goal but the Australian keeper was up to the task, diving to his left to collect. Oldham continued on the offensive and Filan was called into action again when he threw himself in front of a close range shot from Canadian Carlo Corazzin and then fellow countryman Jason De Vos cleared off the line as Darren Sheridan tried to drive home the loose ball. With around 10 minutes of the second half gone Andy Liddell caused David Beharall into clearing over his own bar when Tuesday night's hat trick hero sent a teasing cross into the area. Just before the hour mark Julien Baudet went close to breaking the deadlock with a header when he dove in to connect with a David Eyres corner but it was Wigan who got the decisive goal minutes later. John Filan launched a long ball upfield from a free kick which Tony Dinning flicked on finding ANDY LIDDELL who got the better of defender David Beharall before sending a low drive past Gary Kelly in the Oldham goal for his fourth goal in two games. Jason De Vos looked to have doubled Wigan's lead when he nodded down a Peter Kennedy corner kick but Kelly got down well to snatch the ball on the line. Wigan held on during a frantic final few minutes where Oldham threw everything at them but the visitors couldn't find a way past their opponent's rearguard apart from a couple of wayward shots. The win ended a 5 match unbeaten run for Oldham and stretched Wigan's to 7 and moved them above Port Vale into 12 place in the table.

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 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 The Latics travelled the short distance West to their Nationwide Division 2 rivals Wigan Athletic for another important clash. A bitingly cold and very strong wind circled the JJB as the teams lined up on the large but well maintained pitch. 
Kelly, D Sheridan, Balmer, Appleby, Corazzin, Clegg, Eyres, Baudet, Smart, Beharall, and Armstrong started with McNiven, Colusso, Rickers, Holden and Duxbury on the bench. Oldham kicked off and started with immediate pressure down the left hand side with some good neat work from David Eyres. Some good communication and movement between Eyres and Armstong resulted in the first Oldham corner on 6 minutes. Eyres swung it in although this was easily gathered by 'keeper Filan. Carlo Corazzin tried his luck on 9 minutes after a high ball found him in the goal mouth.  However it was a stretch too far for the Oldham striker and it passed Filan into touch. 12 minutes in and another Oldham corner from the left hand side. Stuart Balmer saw a shot deflected and this attack concluded with a ball from the other flank. This was nervously scuffed into safety by the Wigan back four and the home side breathed again. A rare chance for Wigan on 19 minutes after Liddell headed it down for McCulloch to try the shot. This was easily covered by Oldham 'keeper Gary Kelly who watched it skid past his right hand post for the goal kick. This seemed to get Wigan's tails up and some useful work by Peter Kennedy down the left hand side saw some good crosses only turning into goal kicks on the Oldham dead ball line. However this period of Wigan pressure did not last long as that man Armstrong continued down the far side of the park. However the resulting corner was well cleared by the Wigan back four and the chance begging. An goal mouth scramble and subsequent altercation with the Wigan centre back saw Allan Smart go into the book on the half hour. This preceded a counter attack by the home team who won a corner by some good work by Kennedy, again on the left. Again this failed to be converted so the visitors pressed forward once more. Some good and gritty but perhaps slightly excited play in the midfield saw Matty Appleby pick up the second yellow card of the period soon after. A Wigan penalty appeal was turned down approaching 40 minutes after McCulloch was floored in the box. However the well placed referee Mr Jones kept his hands firmly at his side. Half time approached and Oldham continued to press for the opener, Carlo with some good intelligent play deep into the Wigan half- holding up play nicely. However the lads went in for the break goalless. Wigan kicked off the second half towards their loud home support. Undaunted however, Oldham made a promising start, with David Beharall linking up well with Chris Armstrong in the early stages. 50 minutes in and a good through ball from midfield found David Eyres just outside the box.  tried the shot and it was powerful and well hit although was gathered by 'keeper Filan who dived to his left. Minutes later and some goal mouth action once again raised the Wigan blood pressure. With some good skilful play by Allan Smart amongst others, the attack was concluded with a spectacular clearance off the line from a Darren Sheridan shot. All this after Carlo had gone close with a close range effort, Oldham were now playing with form and conviction. Quarter of an hour of the second half gone and Julien Baudet was unlucky not to find himself on the scoresheet with a fine diving header from an Eyres corner. However it would be the other Latics who would be the first to score, Andy Liddell slotting the ball past the diving Kelly to put the home side up on 16 minutes. Oldham, now forced onto the back foot, were thankful of some good defensive play from Armstrong, Balmer and 'keeper Gary Kelly in particular- who showed his fine pedigree by getting down for a strong Jason De Vos header. A substitution on 67 minutes, Lee Duxbury coming onto replace Matty Appleby. 2 minutes later and Cristian Colusso joined play, tiring workhorse Darren Sheridan taking a well deserved rest. Mick's tactical decision nearly paid off on 70 minutes as Duxbury failed to connect to a long ball from Clegg by a hairs breadth. Colusso strengthened the Latics line by taking up his customary attacking midfield role. Michael Clegg was replaced by Dean Holden on 77 minutes for the third Oldham substitution. A late push for the equaliser ensued and Oldham tried ever forward. Wigan however created the better chances, De Vos and McCulloch there again only to be denied by inaccurate shots- and an in-form Gary Kelly. On 90 minutes Colusso was unlucky not to find the net with a dangerous dropping ball. This cleared the bar by inches. Oldham were now pushing forward from all angles, pressing hard for that elusive equalizer. However it was to no avail and as full time arrived they left the park somewhat disappointed to come away with nothing from the tie.  Some good performances today but the wrong result. Oldham will have to pick themselves up, brush themselves off and look forward. There's still a play off place for the boys on today's show.Official Wigan Athletic web site (www.wiganlatics.co.uk) On a changeable afternoon at the JJB stadium there was little to choose between the sides during the opening exchanges. Lee McCulloch was almost played in by Ian Nolan before the linesman's flag came to Oldham's rescue and then two corners for the visitors were well defended by the Latics. Latics first sight of goal finally arrived in the 19th minute, Andy Liddell heading down Scott Green's centre for Lee McCulloch to volley harmlessly wide from the edge of the area. Five minutes later and the Latics worked a much clearer opening. Stephen McMillan's cross causing mayhem before the ball fell to the returning Peter Kennedy who blazed his shot over with his weaker left foot. The home side had now taken control and forced their first corner in the 26th minute. The ball cleared to Paul Mitchell but the young midfielder was unable to keep his shot down. The Latics continued to press and Tony Dinning's shot was deflected behind just after the half hour and from the resulting corner skipper Arjan De Zeeuw headed just wide. Two minutes later an altercation between Mitchell and Matt Appleby saw both players enter the referee's notebook. Within a minute the Latics were denied a nailed on penalty. Lee McCulloch flattened in the area but to the crowds amazement penalty appeals were waved away by referee Mr Jones. With the atmosphere now really hotting up Latics continued to drive forward - Scott Green's cross just too high for the lively McCulloch at the far post. Right on half time came probably the best effort of the half. Peter Kennedy striking a free kick from 25 yards that flew just wide of the right hand upright to leave the half time score goalless. The second half opened with both sides creating half chances. David Eyres fired straight at John Filan and Lee McCulloch's volley was deflected through to Gary Kelly.  Then in the 50th minute came the game's best chance so far. John Filan (pictured) brilliantly blocking Carlo Corazzin's close range effort and then grateful to see Jason De Vos kick Darren Sheridan's follow up effort off the line. The game had really opened up now and 5 minutes later Andy Liddell's cross was cleared over his own bar by Oldham defender David Beharall. 
Then just before the hour mark, Julien Baudet headed wide for the visitors before the Latics nearly nudged in front. Scott Green tackled as he ran clear, Lee McCulloch nodding Peter Kennedy's cross just wide as he retrieved the ball. A minute later and the Latics did take the lead. Andy Liddell rounding a defender in the box before drilling a shot low past Gary Kelly's left hand for his 14th of the season. Far from sitting back, the Latics continued to press forward enjoying much the better possession. From a Kennedy corner, Jason De Vos headed goalwards only for Kelly to make a fine save diving to his left. With Lee McCulloch outstanding Latics continued to dominate as they looked for a second goal. Ian Kilford was introduced with eight minutes remaining in place of the struggling Peter Kennedy as the Latics continued to impress, Tony Dinning's deflected drive testing Gary Kelly once more. With only a one goal lead there were a few anxious moments in the Latics box but the defence held firm to protect a well deserved three points. Two home wins in five days for the Latics as the unbeaten run continues and is stretched to seven games. 
 TEAMtalk (www.teamtalk.co.uk) Early reversals costing Latics 
Mick Wadsworth has told his players they must stop giving their opponents a goal start if The Latics are to achieve their play-off ambitions. After watching his side slip to a 1-0 defeat against local rivals Wigan, Wadsworth explained: "In the last five games we have had to come from behind. We couldn't manage it on Saturday at Wigan and it cost us the points. "We are also finding it hard to keep cleansheets and that is making it hard for us. You just can't afford to keep doing that on a regular basis if you are going to get anywhere." Saturday's defeat at the JJB Stadium was The Latics' first in six games and Wadsworth is keen to get back on track this Saturday when promotion rivals Cardiff are the visitors to Boundary Park. They have dropped out of the play-off places following Huddersfield's win at the weekend and know that a good run is now required to get the show back on the road. The boss will be boosted by the return of midfielder Paul Murray for the game as he has completed a one-match ban. There is still however a doubt over stand-in skipper Matty Appleby who had to quit the Wigan game with a groin injury and is under treatment meaning he is unable to train. The Latics have just seven games left in the run-in to the play-offs and Wadsworth admitted the pressure is beginning to build. He explained: "Yes, there is pressure, but our situation is better than being in the bottom three. "I would really be feeling it if we were down there. Now it is a question of anything we can get, for this season, we will take." 
Home record lifts hopes 
Having not lost a league game at home under Mick Wadsworth and with four of the remaining seven at Boundary Park, play-off hopes are still high. This impressive home record could be the key to the promotion ambitions, but with so few games left, everyone around the club knows that they cannot afford any more slip-ups. The Latics must also maintain their free-scoring record which has seen them net 68 goals so far - the best record in the Second Division. If they do manage a top-six finish it will have been done the hard way, as they still have to play three clubs above them and three others who also fancy their chances of a crack at promotion. The fixture list has compiled a run-in that will prove a tough test of their character and ability. They have to travel to leaders Reading, sixth-placed Huddersfield and Wycombe and also play host to Cardiff, fourth-placed Stoke and Queens Park Rangers. The weakest link will be Cambridge United who are the only side out of 92 league teams not to have won on their travels all season. Away form has not been The Latics' strong point either, having won only four away from Boundary Park all season, a dismal record equal to second-from-bottom Wrexham. However, Wadsworth, who must take credit for turning the season round, said: "We are in far better nick than we were three or four months ago. "We would dearly love to get into the play-offs and the players have the belief to take us there. "We have to get cracking and win those home games and see what we can pick up away." 
Reserves ready for Reds 
The Latics reserves are in action tonight when they take on Manchester United in a group game in the Manchester Senior Cup at Boundary Park.  It is a game they have to win to stand any chance of reaching the finals where they would face Manchester City. Coach David Cross is certainly going to give it a go as he has named nine players with first-team experience. Argentinian midfielder Cristian Colusso is included, as is first-team skipper Lee Duxbury who has more than 500 career appearances to his credit. Long-term injury victims Wayne Gill and Tony Carss are also set to face The Reds as they step up their hopes of winning back senior side places. Two trialists are also expected to be handed a chance to impress; QPR right-back Marcel Nugent and Barnsley centre-half Graham Gartland, with another QPR player, striker Alistair Hezelton, on the bench. Kick-off is at 7pm. Oldham (from): Whittle, Nugent, Hardy, McNiven, Holden, Duxbury, Gill, Colusso, Dudley, Rickers, Carss, Gartland, Smith, Boshell, Hezelton and Grange.

Potters ticket news Tickets for the clash with promotion rivals Stoke City on Saturday, April 6 are now on open sale. The Potters come to Boundary Park in four weeks time, and the biggest turn-out of the season is expected. The game has been made all-ticket for both home and away supporters on police advice with the entire Rochdale Road stand being allocated to Stoke followers. The kick-off time has also been brought forward to 1pm and fans are again reminded that there will be strictly no facilities for paying on the day. The deadline for buying tickets will be Friday, April, 5. Latics on the up - Filan 
John Filan has revealed that he would not have dropped down the divisions if he did not believe that The Latics were set for the big time. The Aussie keeper arrived at The JJB last autumn in a £600,000 deal from Blackburn after finding himself number two to Brad Friedel. And Filan is certain that his stay in the Second Division will be a short one. The shot-stopper said: "I'm enjoying it here. Obviously it was a big step to leave Blackburn and the Premiership. "I could have sat down for the next couple of years of my career, but I didn't want to do that. I want to play football and I think this is a club going places. "We've got some good players here. I wouldn't have come to a Second Division club which didn't have the ambition to move on up, and obviously, with the chairman and the manager here, everything's geared to success and we need to work hard to get it."

Too many draws dash promotion hopes Paul Jewell admits that Wigan have can only blame themselves for their current standing in mid-table after beating promotion hopefuls Oldham. Saturday's victory over the Boundary Park outfit served only as another reminder of what might have been. Latics have made a habit of beating the top sides in the division, but a lack of consistency has prevented them seriously challenging for a top-six spot. The Wigan manager is under no illusions why his side have failed to live up to their pre-season billing as one of the favourites for promotion. Jewell said: "I was very pleased with Saturday, but looking at the season overall, we've drawn too many games and that's why we're in the mid-table area. "We were not unlucky to draw those games, we just haven't been putting chances away. "But against Oldham, we created a lot of chances and I thought we deserved the win."

Boss proud after derby win 
Paul Jewell was glad to see his side come through an early "edgy" spell to beat Oldham 1-0 at home yesterday and impress "in all departments".  Wigan moved up into the top half of the Second Division table after Andy Liddell's strike saw off the challenge of the other Latics. Jewell commended his team after they increased their run to seven games unbeaten, and he said: "We played well. For the first 15 minutes, we looked edgy but after that we played well. It's always nice when your strikers score, but we played well in all departments." The Latics boss admitted the weather made it difficult but had no doubts about which side would win after the goal opportunities began to flow. He added: "The conditions weren't easy and we were a bit lethargic for the first 20 odd minutes or so, but after a while we took the game by the scruff of the neck, and we created some good chances. "It was a good team performance all over the park. They didn't create many chances, and we had the better of the chances."

Reserves aim for Senior Cup glory 
The reserve team take on Oldham at Boundary Park tonight in the Manchester Senior Cup, looking for a win which will take them into the final. In a game that United have to win if they are to set up a massive game against derby rivals Manchester City in the final, reserve-team coach Brian McClair has named a youthful side. The only players with any form of first-team experience in action this evening are midfielders Bojan Djordjic and Michael Stewart, while elsewhere McClair has put his trust in United's youth academy. England youth international David Fox and the promising Ben Muirhead make up the rest of the midfield, while at the back Alan McDermott and Paul Tierney make up a talented centre-half partnership in front of goalkeeper Ben Williams. Elsewhere, Matty Williams and Daniel Nardiello will be given the responsibility up front to score the goals to fire United into the final. United reserves: B Williams; Rankin, McDermott, Tierney, Pugh; Djordjic, Stewart, Fox, Muirhead; M Williams, Nardiello.
Subs: Cogger, Taylor, Sampson, Heath.

 Sporting Life Saturday review (www.sportinglife.com)SUMMIT BATTLE ENDS GOALLESS

Reading and Brighton battled out a goalless draw in the Nationwide Second Division's top-of-the-table clash at the Madejski Stadium. The two sides are separated by five points but Peter Taylor's Seagulls - who have a game in hand on Reading - thought they had won the game in the second minute of injury time. Gary Hart's effort was ruled out by referee Mike Dean for a foul by Junior Lewis on goalkeeper Phil Whitehead.

Classy Brentford recorded their second 3-0 victory over struggling Wrexham this season courtesy of a blockbuster from Paul Evans and a strike just before the interval from Martin Rowlands. The Irish winger scored his second with 13 minutes remaining to wrap up the points.

Andy Liddell scored his 14th goal of the season - a career-best - as Wigan beat Oldham 1-0 while Wycombe severely damaged Stoke's promotion challenge with their first-ever victory over the Potters thanks to an 83rd-minute goal from Jermaine McSporran.

Kenny Irons and Leon Knight both scored as Huddersfield earned three crucial play-off points with a 2-0 win over Swindon.

At the bottom, Cambridge's survival hopes were dented further by two stunning strikes from Bristol City's Mickey Bell. Cambridge did not have the fire-power to hit back after the experienced left-back had struck twice in the opening 17 minutes.

Cash-strapped Bury also slumped further into relegation trouble as Notts County cruised to a 4-0 win. Two strikes from Danny Allsopp either side of Paul Heffernan's 18th minute strike gave the Magpies a 3-0 half-time lead, with Dutch midfielder Marcel Cas adding the fourth three minutes into the second period.

There were goals too at Dean Court as Bournemouth produced a dazzling second-half display to romp to a 5-1 victory over Northampton with two goals from Warren Seeney and one apiece from Jason Tindall, Derek Holmes and Stephen Purches.

Cardiff's on-loan striker Andy Campbell scored a brace as the Bluebirds rallied from two down to earn a point against lowly Blackpool.

QPR had most of the play but were left frustrated as they failed to break down stubborn Chesterfield in a disappointing 0-0 draw at Loftus Road while Port Vale ended a run of three defeats with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Tranmere.

Peterborough's 21-year-old striker Francis Green scored one and made another for David Farrell as Posh cruised to a 2-0 win over Colchester. 
Team P Home Away Pts Goal
Diff
W D L F A W D L F A
Reading  39 12 4 4 32 16 10 5 4 26 17 75 25
Brighton  38 14 3 1 34 12 5 10 5 18 25 70 15
Brentford  38 14 3 1 42 11 6 5 9 26 28 68 29
Stoke  39 12 4 3 38 12 7 6 7 22 24 67 24
Bristol City  38 12 4 4 32 17 7 4 7 24 20 65 19
Huddersfield  37 11 5 3 29 16 6 7 5 23 20 63 16
Oldham  39 12 5 2 41 17 4 8 8 27 34 61 17
Cardiff  38 9 8 3 33 22 7 5 6 23 22 61 12
QPR  39 9 9 2 31 16 6 4 9 20 25 58 10
Tranmere  37 10 7 2 35 13 5 5 8 19 30 57 11
Wycombe  38 11 4 4 32 20 4 7 8 17 30 56 -1
Wigan  39 7 6 7 30 20 6 8 5 25 23 53 12
Port Vale  39 10 5 5 34 23 5 3 11 14 30 53 -5
Swindon  39 9 5 5 23 18 4 6 10 18 32 50 -9
Blackpool  38 5 8 5 25 26 6 5 9 26 34 46 -9
Colchester  39 8 5 6 29 25 4 5 11 26 42 46 -12
Peterborough  38 8 5 6 37 23 4 4 11 15 27 45 2
Chesterfield  37 7 3 8 30 28 4 9 6 16 21 45 -3
Bury  39 5 8 7 22 28 5 2 12 15 36 40 -27
Bournemouth  38 8 3 8 30 26 1 8 10 19 34 38 -11
Northampton  38 6 3 10 19 29 5 2 12 24 39 38 -25
Notts County  39 4 7 8 21 28 5 3 12 26 35 37 -16
Wrexham  39 5 6 9 21 30 4 3 12 24 46 36 -31
Cambridge Utd  38 5 7 7 22 29 0 3 16 12 48 25 -43

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.Boundary Bullet-zine Message Board can be found at http://boards.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=939&p=16&forumid=5973The 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.