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Today's Edition for
 
    18th February 2002 
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 Oldham Evening Chronicle (www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk) Latics complete Appleby signing ATHLETIC completed the free-transfer signing of Barnsley midfielder Matty Appleby at lunchtime today. The 29-year-old has already played seven games for the Boundary Park club and coach Mick Wadsworth saw enough to capture him permanently. Appleby’s loan spell ran out after Athletic lost to Bristol City on Saturday and it was a race against the clock to register him in time for their next match, which is at home to Tranmere tomorrow. He agreed terms over the weekend and, after a routine medical, the paperwork was rushed through with minutes to spare. It was vital to have Appleby available as Athletic could be without five midfield men against play-off hopefuls Tranmere. Tony Carss and Wayne Gill remain on the injury list, while Lee Duxbury is ruled out and the two Sheridan brothers are doubtful. Duxbury suffered a hamstring strain at Ashton Gate, rubbing salt in the wounds of a miserable 3-0 defeat. He had to go off at half-time and Athletic used Dean Holden, who usually plays right-back or centre-half, in an unfamiliar role. John Sheridan was expected to be fit, but the veteran failed to shrug off a niggling knee problem. And Darren Sheridan – now free of his five-match ban for a double sending off – missed last week’s reserve game with a thigh injury. Athletic will be fined for misconduct after picking up six yellow cards at Bristol City, where Julien Baudet was sent off. It is their third misconduct charge of the season after a similar record at Tranmere in September and the Worthington Cup brawl at Blackburn. There is an automatic punishment for any team with six bookings in one game and Athletic will have to pay £5,000. Baudet must serve a one-match suspension, ruling him out of the home game against Colchester on March 2. Striker Mark Allott, whose loan spell at Chesterfield expires later this week, has yet to confirm he will sign for them permanently. Latics lose the plot THE optimism which grew from Athletic’s fine win against Brighton went up in a mystifying puff of West Country smoke. This drubbing at Bristol City, the joint-heaviest defeat of the season, was a bitterly disappointing reply to all that play-off talk. It isn’t all over as Mick Wadsworth’s side have shown sufficiently high standards to break into the top six. But a week proved a very long time in the chase for promotion and Athletic must now show formidable powers of recovery. A win would have put them level on points with Saturday’s opponents, a draw given their good run an even more solid look. Any defeat at this stage is potentially costly, but it was the manner of defeat which was worrying — and Athletic’s slump was as hard to explain as it was dramatic. With only John Sheridan missing from last week, they were soundly beaten in midfield as central pair Paul Murray and Matty Appleby had quiet games on the same day. There was no spark in attack, despite Carlo Corazzin’s industry, while all three goals stemmed from poor defending, especially the all-important first. Indiscipline was also an issue as Athletic collected booking after booking — all of them deserved — and took out their frustration on effervescent City. A sending off was almost inevitable and Julien Baudet, who had actually done fairly well, was the one to go for his two yellow cards. Though there were momentary lapses in concentration, Athletic had been steady enough to keep first-half chances to a minimum. At the same time, however, they offered precious little up front — a price they seemed willing to pay. Understandably when away to the team in fourth place, a clean sheet was viewed as priority number one. Athletic didn’t commit many men forward, certainly not in the cavalier style they sometimes adopt, and they were very narrow when more width was needed. That gave Corazzin and David Reeves a lot of work to do as they spent most of the time labouring with their backs to goal. Athletic were set up for a 0-0 draw with anything more coming as a bonus. But it all had to change within two minutes of the restart. Then the real problem surfaced — they remained feeble in attack even after City’s opener altered the face of the game. The home defence was impressively strong and well-drilled, but not to the point of its apparent invincibility. City posed the first threat when Brian Tinnion used his feared left foot to test Paul Rachubka from 30 yards. And the ’keeper was in action again after nine minutes, grabbing the ball at the second attempt from Scott Murray’s downward header. Murray was injured in the process and went off soon after with a fractured eye socket, a potential blow to the hosts as he is often a dangerman. They almost found the perfect response, but Aaron Brown’s explosive snapshot was well saved by the diving Rachubka. Though Athletic weren’t unduly concerned at the back, their only efforts in the first 30 minutes were long-range shots from David Eyres and Lee Duxbury. Then Baudet took the bull by the horns, charging out from defence, playing a couple of one-twos and trying his luck when he reached the box — all of which showed the centre-back’s confidence in possession. It was another defender, Chris Armstrong, who preserved Athletic’s clean sheet before the break when a breakdown in communication put them in trouble. Tinnion set up Tony Thorpe, who beat Rachubka but found Armstrong flying back for a superb goalline clearance. Athletic made a half-time change as Dean Holden replaced Duxbury on the right of midfield and collected a yellow card almost instantly for fouling Brown. The resulting free-kick saw Athletic start their decline. A long ball from halfway was headed down to Lee Peacock, and the striker had enough space to confidently fire home from 10 yards. It was vital for the visitors, whose parade of bookings was now well underway, that they didn’t become rattled by City’s rise in belief. They did keep their shape for a while, but the task took on massive proportions when City doubled the lead. Brown’s dash down the left had Athletic all at sea and Baudet took desperate measures, swiping the midfielder’s feet from under him. There was no question over the Frenchman's fate, nor much doubt that Thorpe would convert the penalty for his 15th goal of the season. On went Cristian Colusso and Allan Smart, surprisingly in place of top-scorer Eyres and the hard-working Corazzin, as Athletic tried to locate their missing creativity. But the final nail was hammered in after 72 minutes when defender Mark Lever leapt highest at a free-kick to glance in his first goal for five years. With a hint of futility, Athletic almost scored when David Beharall had his header prodded off the line by Danny Coles. They surrounded the referee at the end but it was their own inadequacy which led to a comprehensive, dangerous defeat.

Wadsworth: Lapses cost us dear MICK WADSWORTH said three expensive lapses were to blame for Athletic’s defeat at promotion rivals Bristol City. The manager expected to leave Ashton Gate with at least a draw before his side fell apart in the second half. Wadsworth admitted: “That was poor by our standards. On recent form we were the third-best team in the division, so you have to be honest and say it was very disappointing. “It came down to three bits of indiscipline because those were the incidents which cost us the game. “Dean Holden made a poor challenge which led to the first goal, Julien Baudet made the wrong decision when he conceded the penalty — their player had a lot to do and I fancied our ’keeper in that situation — and it was another foul which led to the third. “We’ve defended set-plays outstandingly well since I came to the club, so to lose the goals we did wasn’t good enough. “And there were other things we didn’t get right. Our ball retention was poor throughout, the midfield didn’t control the game and the full-backs didn’t join in enough when we went forward. “I actually thought at half-time that there wouldn’t be much in it. I expected the worst we would come away with was 0-0. “Lee Duxbury had to come off and, because there was no ready-made replacement on the bench, we put Dean Holden on for his legs. But Deano started very poorly and was always skating on thin ice after his early booking. “It didn’t help that some important decisions went against us, especially when David Reeves went clean through at 1-0 and was given offside. "To be honest, though, I’ve no complaints about the sending off or any of the bookings — we made some reckless challenges.” Wadsworth added: “Although this is a setback, there are plenty of twists and turns to come and we are still dodging around the play-offs. We certainly aren’t finished. “If you looked at the league table two months ago, it would have been a great achievement to haul ourselves level with Bristol City. “We didn’t manage to do it, but we will dust ourselves down and get ready for a very big game with Tranmere on Tuesday.” Robins boss Danny Wilson said: “Oldham were right on our shirt-tails, so this is an important victory. “We started slowly and only had one chance which the full-back (Chris Armstrong) did fantastically well to clear, but after half-time only one team was going to win. “It’s a good job Tony Thorpe scored with the penalty because he wasn’t the designated taker — he would have come off with a thick ear if he’d missed.” Referring to Athletic’s catalogue of cards, Wilson added: “There’s getting stuck in and there’s doing stupid things. The way we kept our discipline was superb.” Western Daily Press (www.westpress.co.uk) THORPE RISKS IT TO KEEP TOP SPOT BRISTOL CITY striker Tony Thorpe sealed a crucial victory from the penalty spot - but risked the wrath of boss Danny Wilsonn. After Lee Peacock's spot-kick miss against Cambridge in the LDV Vans Trophy, Mickey Bell had been chosen to take over. But when Aaron Brown was brought down by Julien Baudet in the 68th minute, Thorpe claimed responsibility and refused to give way. And as team-mates pushed Bell forward, Thorpe - who had a penalty saved at Bury earlier this season - confidently stepped up and stroked the ball into the corner of the net. "Mickey Bell was designated to take them, " revealed Wilson. "We decided that after Lee missed the last one. "But discussions go on on the pitch and it's funny with professionals because someone often fancies it at a particular time and misses. "If Tony had missed he would have come off with a thick ear quite honestly but thankfully he scored and that was down to his confidence." Thorpe's penalty doubled City's lead after Lee Peacock had put his side ahead with his 14th goal of the season in the 47th minute. Substitute Marvin Brown headed on a Bell free-kick and Peacock pounced to volley past Paul Rachubka and pull level with Thorpe in the race to be the club's top scorer. But parity between the deadly duo only lasted 22 minutes as Thorpe quickly moved on to 15 for the season. The third came from a player who can only dream of reaching double figures as Mark Lever struck for the first time in his City career. The tall centre-half - recalled due to Matt Hill's suspension - glanced in a header from a Brian Tinnion free-kick to record his first goal for five years. "I was just hoping to make it through the first ten minutes after not playing for so long, " said the former Grimsby defender. "I don't score many, normally two a season is my limit, but I hadn't scored for five years so it's nice to get back on the scoresheet. "I think the last one was against Barnsley when the gaffer was in charge of them back in 1997 which is a bit ironic. "Apart from that I scored one in training a couple of years back, but I think I'm better heading it in our box." City triumphed as Oldham lost their discipline, with Baudet dismissed for conceding the penalty, his second bookable defence. The Latics also had four other players cautioned, and all three home goals came after a foul by Mick Wadsworth's side. "The first half was quite even, " said Wadsworth. "Then I thought three pieces of indiscipline, which I'm very disappointed with, have cost us the game. "The first goal came after a poor challenge, the second was the penalty which was poor play by Julien and the third came from a foul as well." As Oldham lost their heads, Wilson was delighted with the response of his players, who have an impressive disciplinary record. "There's getting stuck in and there's doing stupid things, " said the City boss. "From our point of view we got stuck in. "It's never been a problem with us. I think people sometime underestimate the word discipline but I think it's absolutely fantastic. "I think if you have it in your life then you take it out on to the football pitch and we can't afford to have players sent off and missing through suspensions. The squad isn't big enough. "The lads showed terrific resolve and mental strength which I'm delighted with. I think throughout this season we've collected a minimum of bookings considering the amount of cards flying about now."

 Rivals match reports JKLatics.com (oldhamathletic.rivals.net) "If you can keep your head, when all others around you are losing theirs, you'll be a man, my son." You can just imagine Athletic chief Mick Wadsworth quoting those familiar words to his troops before Saturday's trip to Bristol City. Unfortunately, it was a piece of advice they failed to take on board, as the ten men visitors plummeted to a 3-0 defeat at Ashton Gate. Both sides had managed to cancel each other out in an entertaining first- half, with Athletic's Chris Armstrong keeping his team level going into the break with a wonderful goal-line clearance. Following the interval, you could sense the hosts were getting on top and they were ahead within a minute of the re-start. City added two more, as centre-back Julien Baudet was red-carded, with another four names from the Athletic team- sheet being added into the referee's notebook. A bad day at the office would be somewhat of an understatement. Athletic were missing the two described as "fantastic characters" by City boss Danny Wilson in his programme notes. Both Sheridan brothers were absent - Darren through suspension and John through injury. Wilson would still remember one familiar face in the Athletic eleven though, as Matty Appleby, who played under Wilson at Barnsley, was selected for his last match in his loan spell. A permanent move is still on the table though. The only change to the side which triumphed over Brighton last week then, was a return for Lee Duxbury in the midfield. Stuart Balmer was welcomed back to the bench, along with Dean Holden, Allan Smart and Argentinean Cristian Colusso. City welcomed back defender Mark Lever for his first start since November, to cushion the blow of losing first-choice centre-back Matt Hill to suspension. Joe Burnell came through a late fitness test and perhaps more importantly, top scorer Tony Thorpe returned from the hamstring injury which kept him out of last Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Wycombe. Into the action and City made the first move towards goal, with veteran Brian Tinnion trying his luck from outside the penalty box. Tinnion, who has just completed a remarkable four-hundred appearances for the club, struck his shot well, but Paul Rachubka was never troubled in goal and got two hands firmly behind the ball. From one old timer to another, David Eyres had the first effort for Athletic. Having signed an extension to his contract this week, Eyres looked lively from the off, although his cross-come-shot sailed wide of the far post. There were a few anxious faces in the away end, as Rachubka needed two attempts to smother a Scott Murray header. Murray was left free at the back-post, a very worrying sight so early on in the afternoon. Aaron Brown had begun well on the right-wing and continued to impress. Still, official man-of-the-match awards can be a bit strange at times and although Lee Peacock played well and grabbed himself a goal, Brown's name was surely on the short-list for contenders. Athletic's first promising move of the match came after twelve minutes. Paul Murray's ball in from the left was knocked down by Carlo Corazzin, leaving Duxbury with a clear sight of goal. He was a little way out and a defender came rushing in to attempt a block, but Duxbury really should have done better with his strike, which went wide of the target. Dangerous attacking midfielder Scott Murray left the field after fifteen minutes, giving Athletic a boost. Teenager Marvin Brown entered the fray to some loud cheers - he's clearly made an impact at the club already, even at the tender age of 18. It was later revealed that Murray had suffered a fractured eye socket, which should keep him out of the game for quite a while. It's a blow to both club and player and we wish Scott well with a speedy recovery. Both Brown brothers were on the field now, although it was Aaron who was getting the ball and inspiring the City attack. His corner was comfortably collected by Rachubka, before Brown set off on an exciting run on the right-wing, drifting inside and unleashing a shot at goal. Good thing for Athletic that Rachubka was on the ball, quite literally. Athletic sometimes found it difficult to get out of their own half, but when they did break, the hosts looked vulnerable. Corazzin's quick turn and shot - done in one movement - got the away supporters on the edge of their seats for a second. Goalkeeper Steve Phillips proved equal to the effort though. Stepping up a gear, Athletic looked as though they could cause some damage mid-way through the first-half. An Eyres' corner disappointingly met the head of the first-man, but Baudet was the surprise provider of a spark in attack. Baudet went on a venture down the middle of the field, swapping passes with Athletic players and finding his way through a crowd of players. Maybe the Frenchman was shocked to be that far into City's half, but having exchanged a one-two with Corazzin, Baudet struck for goal. He couldn't get everything behind it and Phillips gathered comfortably, but Baudet was the pick of the bunch for Athletic. That was the brightest moment of the entire forty-five minutes for the visitors, as the home side dominated proceedings. Athletic defended well, but because they hadn't enjoyed a lot of possession, they had to do a lot of tackling. Murray was the first victim of the yellow card fever, going into the book for lunging in on a City defender. Clearly going for the ball, all that was needed was a warning, as it was Murray's first offence. Still, Mr Cooper felt it necessary to bring out the book. Heading for a blank sheet at half-time, the most exciting part of play came prior to the interval. Peacock's through ball found the transfer- listed Thorpe through on goal and after beating both Baudet and Rachubka, Athletic looked destined to go in a goal behind. Not so. With the celebrations about to start at the City end, Armstrong threw himself at the ball in a desperate attempt to keep it out. It worked and Athletic were saved. Just before Mr Cooper blew the whistle, there was enough time for Duxbury to be entered as the second name in his book. This time, the caution was justified. A reckless challenge from the captain and someone who should know better. That was the last of action for Duxbury, as Wadsworth introduced Dean Holden at half-time. A disappointing afternoon for the skipper, who must have picked up a knock to force him off. Holden's first input to the game led to Athletic's third booking. As in Duxbury's case, this one was more than worthy of the yellow, as Holden mis-timed his tackle, sliding through his man to give away a free-kick on the halfway line. With Scott McNiven backing him up in defence, it was an unnecessary challenge, which ultimately, brought the first goal. From the left, Tinnion delivered and following a knock-down from Marvin Brown, Peacock got away from his marker to smash the ball past Rachubka from six yards. Athletic's lack of discipline had finally cost them, but the most disappointing thing was the absence of concentration. Just a minute into the second-half and Athletic were chasing the game. If going a goal down wasn't bad enough, Athletic fans became increasingly more and more frustrated by the officials. Referee Cooper had undoubtedly had a hand in Athletic's downfall, as too did his assistants. The combination of West and Williams - who hadn't a clue what is meant by the offside rule - prevented Athletic from getting round the back of City's defence. David Reeves found himself in the clear, only to be stopped in his tracks by the officials, a pattern which continued throughout the second-half. 
Marvin Brown fired into the side netting, as City got on top. Baudet was cautioned with fifty-three minutes gone, a yellow card which eventually cost Athletic the game. They tried to come forward, but never looked menacing, with Eyres turning onto his weaker right-foot and shooting into the arms of Phillips. As Wadsworth prepared a double substitution on the sidelines, City took a commanding two-goal lead. Aaron Brown raced into the penalty area, prompting a desperate late challenge from Baudet. His dismissal was a great shame, as Baudet was probably Athletic's man-of-the-match, shown by the applause he received when trudging from the field. City have had their fair share of problems with penalties this season, but having missed two already, Peacock handed the responsibility to Thorpe. Thorpe confidently stepped up, tucking the ball away in the bottom corner. Rachubka guessed correctly, diving to his left, but Thorpe's penalty was well struck and beyond the goalkeeper. Two-nil down and even with twenty minutes left, a come-back never looked on the cards. Wadsworth continued to hope and pray, throwing on Colusso and Smart in a last ditch attempt to salvage something from this game. Who did he replace? It was immediately obvious that a point was beyond them, as the hardworking Corazzin was chosen ahead of the below-par Reeves to come off. To make matters worse, Eyres was also substituted. It may not have been one of his better days, but Eyres is a goal scorer, a proven match-winner. To take him off was absolutely criminal. Wadsworth probably got what he deserved for some bizarre changes. Another goal conceded within two minutes of the substitutions and Athletic could have been heading for a very embarrassing defeat. Tinnion's free-kick was nodded home by Lever, netting his first for the club and completing a memorable afternoon for him. It was fortunate for Athletic that City chose not to drive on in the search of more. Instead, Athletic did their best to grab a consolation in the final minutes, 
With Beharall's looping effort saved and a Reeves header was cleared off the line. Athletic's day was summed up by Smart's facial expression, as the inventive striker danced his way through the City defence, before laying the ball onto Reeves, who wasn't quick enough to read it. Appleby then made it six and got himself booked.Another fine on it's way to Mr Moore. Perhaps he should make the player's pay it. The final-whistle came as something as a relief in the end. A battling first-half performance was followed up with a terrible second-half, with City taking control. The score may have been harsh on Athletic, but they certainly deserved nothing from the match. It would be true to say they missed John Sheridan, although other influential players such as Eyres, Duxbury and Murray did nothing to suggest Athletic should have got a point. Granted - the referee didn't help matters, but Athletic were poor. Tranmere will be tough opponents in mid-week and changes will surely be made. Hopefully, Sheridan will return after his rest and maybe there will be a change up-front. Reeves would have done Athletic a big favour if he'd stayed at home, after turning in his worst display in the blue shirt. At least Smart looked motivated when he replaced Corazzin, which is more than anyone can say for Reeves. We all know what he's capable of, but when he has a bad game, Reeves has a stinker. Back to the drawing board for Wadsworth, although Athletic stand in a profitable position, only three points away from sixth-placed Huddersfield. With some tricky away fixtures ahead, Athletic simply must capitalise on their home games, starting with Rovers on Tuesday night. Bristol City Net Center (bristolcity.rivals.net) Lever Helps Lift City Clear Of Physical Oldham City moved up to third after a second-half onslaught saw them defeat Oldham 3-0 at Ashton Gate, Lee Peacock's strike, Tony Thorpe's penalty and Mark Lever's header earning victory against their physical opponents - who had one man sent off amid a rash of bookings. The match had looked to be following the recent form of both sides, City looking lethargic and out of sorts whilst purposeful Oldham were breaking dangerously in numbers, neither team however really causing problems in a scrappy first half. The home side were hit by the loss of influential winger Scott Murray inside quarter of an hour following a knock to the face, and struggled to adapt to the change in formation after teenage forward Marvin Brown was introduced in his place. But following a now-traditional halftime roasting from Danny Wilson, City emerged by far the brighter in the second half and went in front within just two minutes as Marvin Brown flicked the ball clear for Lee Peacock to stab home past keeper Paul Rachubka. The tough-tackling visitors briefly threatened to hit back, but it was their hosts who were really beginning to find their feet with incisive forays upfield, the Brown brothers, Mickey Bell and Louis Carey all getting forward to good effect. With twenty minutes remaining City made their pressure pay as the lively Aaron Brown was upended in the box by Oldham defender Julian Baudet for a penalty, Tony Thorpe insisting on taking the spot kick in place of Mickey Bell, slotting the ball into the bottom right hand corner. Two minutes later and the match was over as a contest after the home side made it three following Chris Armstrong's foul on the right wing - Brian Tinnion lifting a free kick into the box which was swept home by defender Mark Lever, his first goal for the club. 
As well as the return of top scorer Tony Thorpe from hamstring injury, it was Lever himself who was Wilson's key change from the side which lost at Wycombe last weekend, replacing suspended young defender Matt Hill, who was missing his first league game of the season. Brian Tinnion had home fans on their feet inside two minutes as he unleashed a rising long range effort that threatened to creep in, but breaking quickly in numbers the visitors also went close soon after, the ball spread to the left from where David Eyres cut inside and curled his shot just beyond the far post. On nine minutes there was concern as Murray seemed to suffer a blow to the face in challenging for a goalmouth header from Aaron Brown's left wing cross, and after twice receiving treatment from physio Gill O'Shea, was eventually withdrawn after fourteen minutes, teenager Marvin Brown on in his place. It meant a formation change for City, who struggled to find their feet as they looked to adjust, but there was one moment of excitement minutes later as Aaron Brown raced upfield from the halfway line, holding off several challenges before drilling a low left footed effort in on goal which keeper Paul Rachubka held. Otherwise the home side looked to have suffered from their enforced early change, and after Carlo Corazzin had tested Steve Phillips, the visitors again threatened before the half-hour mark, Julian Baudet also making the keeper work following a bright move. Lee Peacock dragged a long range effort wide with ten minutes remaining in the half, and two minutes from time City really began to threaten, Tony Thorpe firing past keeper Rachubka from his strike-partner's pass, only to see defender Chris Armstrong somehow clear off the line. Finally the home side had found their rhythm, and finished the half on top following a series of corners, whilst Oldham would give evidence of what was to follow was both Paul Murray and Lee Duxbury were booked for hefty challenges on Mark Lever and Marvin Brown. After the break City emerged typically more positive from their interval team talk, but it was the visitors who were back at their most ill-disciplined as half-time substitute Dean Holden flew in late to chop down Aaron Brown on the touchline, lucky to escape with just another yellow card. It earned the home side a free kick on the left flank, and Tinnion's deep ball into the box was met by Marvin Brown beyond the far post, the youngster skilfully flicking the ball back into the path of Peacock who had powered past the last defender, the striker slamming the ball past keeper Rachubka for a 47th minute opener. City were now really back on their mettle, and minutes later a smart break saw the ball eventually worked across for Marvin Brown in the right channel, the teenager racing into the box, holding off a defender and firing in at the second attempt, his shot flashing just the wrong side of the near post, and into the side netting. Oldham were clearly now being rattled by the home side's comfortable flowing play, and Baudet became the fourth Latics player in just over ten minutes to go into referee Cooper's book after hacking down Peacock with a clattering challenge. 
For a moment however, home fans wary of recent squandered Ashton Gate leads, watched in horror as Eyres tested Phillips just inside the hour mark, and then Reeves fired wildly over from distance soon after, but in truth the visitors rarely had the look of a side capable or deserving of drawing level. City meanwhile continued to break smartly down either flank through both Brown brothers, wing back Mickey Bell, and in particular increasingly attacking defender Louis Carey, who was making several roaming runs down the right wing. Inevitably, twenty minutes from time the home side got the chance to extend their lead to two goals, as Peacock set Aaron Brown sprinting into the box, the lively midfielder pushing the ball past defender Baudet, only to be upended as he looked to run on. Referee Cooper had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot, and the Oldham man became the first casualty of the visitors bad-tempered tackling, a second booking earning his marching orders as the Latics were rightly reduced to ten men. After misses for both Thorpe and Peacock this season, Bell had been named penalty taker by manager Wilson, and there was some dispute as Thorpe instead took the ball and placed it on the spot, Danny Coles in particular insisting that Bell should take the kick. But Thorpe stepped up, and forgoing his trademark shimmy and lob, swept the ball low into the bottom right corner, putting City 2-0 up to the delight of home fans, the striker tellingly seeking out teammate Bell to make his peace following the goal. Down and out, the visitors introduced former Watford winger Allan Smart, and highly rated Argentine on-loan midfielder Cristian Colusso, but it made little difference as the home side, now brimming with confidence, poured forward at will. And within two minutes it was 3-0, furious defender Chris Armstrong fouling Marvin Brown on the right touchline, Tinnion lifting a free kick into the crowded box which defender Lever rose highest to meet and head home at close range. It was the injury-troubled veteran's first goal for the club on his return to the side, and there was little doubting what it meant to him as he slid in celebration towards home fans in the Atyeo before being mobbed by his team mates. By now City were passing the ball around to cheers of delight from their supporters, and Oldham's frustrations continued to boil over as loan signing Matty Appleby became just the latest visiting player to earn a booking after clattering into Burnell. The home side were looking good value for a fourth, and man of the match Peacock - a constant threat - had several half channces as he challenged to meet crosses from either flank, the striker also firing over five minutes from time following Carey's right wing ball in. Before the end Robin Hulbert and Craig Woodman replaced the tireless Aaron Brown and Joe Burnell, the match by then a foregone conclusion, the only doubt whether City would add to their lead, or whether ill-disciplined Oldham would add to their booking count. The latter was still a possibility When the final whistle confirmed all three points and comprehensive victory, Latics Argentine substitute Colusso berating opposite number Tinnion with a volley of abuse before throwing the ball at him - referee Cooper calming the situation but reluctant to produce any more cards. Oldham had arrived as the division's form side - and challenging for City's place among the top six - but they left well beaten and jeered by home fans for their physical play, Wilson's men meanwhile climbing to third in the table. 
 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 
Signed And Sealed

The Website has received, at 11:55am, notification that Matty Appleby passed his medical, completed all the paperwork and is now officially a Latics player. A delighted Alan Hardy, who has been instrumental in ensuring Appleby became a Latics player said: "We have worked extremely hard over the past couple of weeks, with numerous meetings and conversations with his agent obviously lengthening the process, but we are delighted he is now one of us." The deal, which sees Appleby joins the Club on a free transfer from Barnsley, will keep the midfielder at Boundary Park until the Summer of 2005. Expensive Day Out At Ashton Gate

Oldham Athletic Football Club will face a £5,000 fine as a consequence of the seven cards picked up in the encounter versus Bristol City on Saturday. This is the second occasion where the Club has picked up a fine. The first being early in the season when Latics received six yellow cards against Tranmere. On that occasion the Club was given an automatic fine of £2,500. Because of the second offence the fine is doubled.  The bad news is compounded with Baudet receiving two yellow cards meaning that he will face an automatic one match ban which is likely to be versus Colchester at Boundary Park. 

 Sporting Life Saturday Review (www.sportinglife.co.uk) BRIGHTON STRENGTHEN PROMOTION HOPES Brighton strengthened their promotion claims with a 1-0 defeat of Huddersfield in Division Two on Saturday. Junior Lewis got the 54th-minute goal that moved Peter Taylor's team to within two points of leaders Reading - who they defeated 3-1 in midweek.Bristol City benefited from Stoke's recent lapse of form, moving up to third with a 3-0 defeat of Oldham at Ashton Gate. Lee Peacock opened the scoring two minutes into the second half and after the visitors had Julian Baudet sent off for two bookings, wrapped up the points through Tony Thorpe's 70th-minute penalty and Mark Lever's effort two minutes later.

Stoke were held 0-0 by relegation-threatened Notts County at Meadow Lane - but they were not the only team near the top to lose ground.

Sixth-placed Huddersfield and seventh-placed Oldham both went down, while fifth-placed Brentford could only manage a 1-1 draw at Peterborough, a team more concerned with events at the bottom end of the table than the top. Lloyd Owusu gave The Bees the lead at London Road four minutes before half time but Leon McKenzie equalised six minutes from time.

Cardiff's play-off drive came unstuck at Wigan, who won 4-0 thanks to goals from Lee McCulloch (2), Jason De Vos (16 and 52) and Arjan De Zeeuw (67).

Eighth-placed Queens Park Rangers took advantage of their rivals' slip-ups, although they left it late to sink struggling Wrexham 2-1. The Welsh team's Stephen Thomas scored after 73 seconds - the fastest goal in the Nationwide League - but Richard Langley levelled the scores just before the hour mark and Kevin Gallen completed the turnaround a minute from time.

Wycombe picked up three useful points with a 2-1 defeat at Bournemouth, with Sean Devine (67) and Jermaine McSporran (90) netting either side of Eddie Howe's 76th-minute leveller for The Cherries.

Port Vale's recent charge up the table continued as they crushed Chesterfield 4-1, with Michael Cummins and Marc Bridge-Wilkinson each netting twice. Cummins scored after 41 and 72 minutes, while Bridge-Wilkinson's brace came in the fading seconds, after Glynn Hurst (68) had found the target for The Spireites.

Blackpool, in their quest to stay out of trouble, picked up a point at Colchester, Richard Walker (41) scoring for the visitors before Joe Keith squared things from the penalty spot after 71.

And bottom club Cambridge picked up a battling point at Bury, who twice led but had Patrick Kenny sent off for foul play. David Borley (15) and George Clegg (65) notched either side of Kenny's 55th-minute dismissal - but the visitors hit back through Paul Wanless (44) and Tom Youngs (66).  
Team P Home Away Pts Goal
Diff
W D L F A W D L F A
Reading  34 11 2 4 29 14 9 4 4 22 15 66 22
Brighton  33 13 2 1 30 12 5 8 4 16 21 64 13
Bristol City  33 10 4 3 29 15 7 3 6 24 19 58 19
Stoke  34 10 4 3 31 11 6 6 5 19 21 58 18
Brentford  33 12 3 1 38 10 4 5 8 19 25 56 22
Huddersfield  33 10 4 3 27 16 5 6 5 20 18 55 13
Oldham  33 10 4 2 33 13 4 6 7 24 30 52 14
QPR  34 8 7 2 28 15 6 3 8 19 23 52 9
Wycombe  32 10 4 1 30 12 4 6 7 17 26 52 9
Tranmere  31 9 6 2 34 13 5 2 7 16 24 50 13
Cardiff  33 7 6 3 27 19 6 5 6 21 21 50 8
Port Vale  34 9 4 4 31 19 5 3 9 14 26 49 0
Colchester  34 8 4 5 28 22 4 4 9 23 34 44 -5
Swindon  34 7 5 5 18 17 4 5 8 18 28 43 -9
Wigan  33 5 5 7 25 19 5 6 5 21 21 41 6
Chesterfield  32 7 1 8 27 25 3 8 5 14 19 39 -3
Blackpool  32 5 8 3 23 22 4 4 8 17 29 39 -11
Peterborough  32 7 4 5 32 19 3 4 9 12 24 38 1
Bournemouth  33 7 2 7 24 22 1 7 9 16 30 33 -12
Bury  33 4 7 6 19 22 4 2 10 13 31 33 -21
Wrexham  34 5 5 7 20 25 3 2 12 21 45 31 -29
Northampton  32 4 3 9 15 26 4 1 11 19 31 28 -23
Notts County  33 3 6 7 16 24 3 3 11 20 33 27 -21
Cambridge Utd  33 5 6 6 20 24 0 3 13 11 40 24 -33
 Upcoming Division 2 fixtures  
Tuesday 19 February
Cardiff v  Bury 19.45
Northampton v  Peterborough 19.45
all ticket  
Notts County v  Wigan 19.45
Oldham v  Tranmere 19.45
Wycombe v  Blackpool 19.45
Friday 22 February
Tranmere v  Swindon 19.45
Saturday 23 February
Blackpool v  Huddersfield 13.00
all ticket  
Brentford v  Notts County 15.00
Brighton v  Wrexham 15.00
sold out  
Bury v  Bournemouth 15.00
Cardiff v  Cambridge Utd 15.00
Chesterfield v  Northampton 15.00
Colchester v  Bristol City 15.00
Peterborough v  Oldham 15.00
Port Vale v  QPR 15.00
Reading v  Stoke 15.00
Wigan v  Wycombe 15.00
Tuesday 26 February
Bournemouth v  Brighton 19.45
Bristol City v  Peterborough 19.45
Cambridge Utd v  Blackpool 19.45
Huddersfield v  Cardiff 19.45
Northampton v  Port Vale 19.45
Notts County v  Colchester 19.45
Oldham v  Brentford 19.45
QPR v  Wigan 19.45
Stoke v  Bury 19.45
Swindon v  Chesterfield 19.45
Wrexham v  Tranmere 19.30
Wycombe v  Reading 19.45

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