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    20th January 2002 
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 Rivals match reports JKLatics.com (oldhamathletic.rivals.com) Latics made it five wins from 6 in the league this afternoon in a match which was boring in the first half and better in the second. It took Latics a full 25 minutes to manage a shot on goal, and that was a soft long range effort by Stuart Balmer which scarcely troubled Kristian Rogers in the Welshmen's goal. Latics were without Alan Smart, who was rested as a precaution after Wednesday night's clash of heads and David Reeves who injured his ankle in the same match. Into the line up came John Eyre, who bagged a brace from the bench following Smart's departure on Wednesday and Matt Appleby (left) who made his full debut deep in midfield in front of the defence. John Eyre ploughed a lonely furrow up front for much of the first half, relying on Lee Duxbury and David Eyres for support and to be honest, with that formation, we failed to make much of an impression on a resolute Wrexham defence. Carlo Corazzin made the bench after his double hernia and Paul Rickers was back from the wilderness. Wrexham started much the livelier and Latics looked nervous from the off. As early as the second minute, Wrexham were on the attack via the pacy Hector Sam who ran at the Latics defence, exchanged passes with Andy Morrell taking the ball to the wing only to put his cross behind, under pressure from Stuart Balmer. Latics first real foray forward came on 9 minutes with a bit of David Eyres magic when we twisted and turned and left Jim Whitely for dead before firing in a dangerous looking cross. The cross sailed inches over the jumping John Eyre and Lee Duxbury was a foot short of connecting at the far post. Latics were under pressure from the visitors who, it has to be remembered are fighting for their lives and it was Wrexham who took the lead on 11 minutes after a defensive mix up let in Andy Morrell who ran onto a loose ball and lifted the ball, courtesy of a deflection, over Paul Rachubka. It was no more that Wrexham deserved as Latics had looked second best up to this point. It was more difficult for Latics after the goal as Wrexham shut up shop and a very good job they made of it as well. For a while. It's perhaps as well that they did as they had been causing Latics problems going forward. The next 15 minutes were a real bore as Latics passed it around without actually getting anywhere, Wrexham repelling all boarders. Latics first shot came following a John Sheridan free kick on 25 minutes as the ball rolled clear and Stuart Balmer (right) collected the rebound to fire back at Rogers. It was too soft and the Wrexham keeper gathered easily. Latics continued to attack and Wrexham continued to deal with it all routinely until 34 minutes when following a melee in the Wrexham box, when Latics managed to get into it for once, the ball broke free to Paul Murray, on the right hand side of the Wrexham area. Murray took the ball on the volley and crashed it goalwards giving Rogers no chance. 1-1 but Latics scarcely deserved it. That brought the visitors out a bit and Latics managed to get behind them again one minute later, but David Eyres's cross was knocked behind for a corner. From the corner, Lee Duxbury steamed in on the back post and headed down, but Brian Carey was on hand to lash the effort clear with the keeper stranded. Latics best chance of the half came in first half injury time when John Sheridan's slide rule pass played in John Eyre and the linesman, for once, kept his flag down. Johnny was one on one with Rogers, who stood up well and the Latics front man's shot whistled by the post with a couple of inches to spare. Half time and it could only get better. It did. Second half, Scott McNiven (left) who had, to be kind, a quiet first half came right into it as he was given licence to get forward and support the attack. Chris Armstrong was man marked by his forward as he tried to get forward in the first half and Wadsworth clearly saw an outlet down the right as a solution to this problem. Twinnie rose to the occasion and caused all sorts of problems with Paul Murray supplying the ammo for the Latics full back's overlaps. First example came on 46 minutes as McNiven played it short to Murray then ran on to receive the return, firing in a deep cross to David Eyres, who scuffed his shot. Then 8 minutes later same again as this time McNiven put the cross near post but Carey just got in front of John Eyre to clear the danger.  One minute later came the turning point as yet another run by McNiven saw the ball delivered centre goal perfectly weighted for Stuart Balmer who was foraging forward. Balmer must score, we thought as he got in front of his marker but just as the Latics defender went to head the ball, Brian Carey dragged him back, the ref. spotted it - penalty. Carey, already booked saw red and after some tantrums (as if the ref. ever changes his mind!) headed for an early bath. Step up Shezza to plant the spot kick beyond Rogers to give Latics the lead and it was game on as Wrexham came out looking for an equaliser. Wrexham moved their defence forward and Latics almost punished them three minutes later, as Lee Duxbury overlapped with Murray and fired in a cross which David Eyres just failed to reach, then Wrexham came close with a Lee Trundle effort. Four minutes later, it was Lee Duxbury (below, right) on the attack again as Murray sent him through but his pass to John Eyre was cut out when Rogers shot off his line fast to clear. Wrexham were lucky not to go down to 9 men when Rogers came out to collect a through ball from John Sheridan. He was a good yard outside his penalty area as he caught the ball but the ref. completely ignored it, as did the linesman who had been favouring Wrexham throughout the game (yes it was that obvious, liner if you're reading this).  What happened to the rule which said that linesmen should stay where they are in the second half so that they are flagging for the opposite team's attackers in each half? That rule avoided any bias, but these days the linesmen change over with the teams at half time so if you have a dodgy one (and this guy was well dodgy) you're stuck with him for the whole match. We've suffered this way before this season, most notably at Prenton Park. Surely it's more fair to keep the linesman where they are? Anyway, the action continued as John Sheridan collected a loose ball after a mix up by the Wrexham defence inside their box, which he laid off for David Eyres to try his luck. Eyre's bullet shot cannoned back of the defence, then it was Wrexham's turn as Paul Murray turned defensive hero as he cleared Trundle's header off the line with Paul Rachubka well beaten from a corner. Another strong run by McNiven down the right on 68 minutes after some pretty passing in midfield set him free and his cross found David Eyres handily placed to fire just over. Wrexham kept going and had a few half chances but Latics were fairly well in control. A nice back heel by Andy Morrell set up Lee Trundle on 71 minutes but the Wrexham man's shot was easily held by Rachubka then Darren Ferguson put a cross behind when completely unchallenged. Latics were chasing the killer 3rd goal by this time and the Wrexham defence was under a lot of pressure - they coped OK with most of it though. Then it swung the other way as Wrexham gave it one last go. Carlo Corazzin (left) came on for John Eyre on 74, then Rickers for Appleby and Tipton for David Eyres 10 minutes or so later. Latics tried to calm the visitors down as it all became a bit frenetic with tackles flying in all over the place with Wrexham chasing it. Latics seemed to be backing off under the pressure as time ran out.  Latics did get forward though. A Murray low cross was cleverly flicked on by Carlo but there was no one there to capitalise, then up at the other end, Stephen Roberts was put through by a Martyn Chalk pass but he put his shot wide with only Rachubka to beat. Next, a Wrexham corner was cleared only as far as Martyn Chalk who shot straight at Rachubka as time ticked away then the 4th official put up the board for 4 minutes stoppage time- groan - could we withstand the pressure? Wrexham substitute Craig Faulconbridge, one time Latics target, came close with a header then Latics decided to play possession for a while with Lee Duxbury holding the ball on the touchline. It looked as though we might just do it. Enter Carlo to get his customary goal or 4 against the Welshmen and if Matthew Tipton did nothing else during his 8 minutes on the pitch, he made the Canadian's day as Carlo timed his run, Tippy supplied and Carlo ran one on one against Rogers, with the linesman for once on Latics side (either that or he dropped his flag!). Rogers made the mistake of haring off his line to meet the Canadian and Carlo obliged by neatly lobbing him from 12 yards to make it 3-1 to the Latics. Four wins from 5. Still in 7th but only 6 points behind 2nd placed Bristol City with a game in hand. Vale away and Bournemouth at home to come. Come on you Blues!!! 
 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 Mick Wadsworth gave a full debut to Matty Appleby as both Smart and Reeves were ruled out with injury from Wednesday night's victory over Swindon.  That meant a packed midfield with John Eyre employed as the lone striker.  Wrexham for their part included Darren Ferguson, but Faulconbridge was only a substitute. It was the visitors who threatened first, Ferguson's shot from outside the box was easily saved by Rachubka, who was looking for his 7th clean sheet from ten starts.  However, Athletic failed to clear their lines and when McNiven hesitated, Morrell nicked it off him and his shot was deflected up and over Rachubka to give the visitors an early lead. Beharall recovered well after allowing Trundle a chance to shot on goal, but the Latics were not playing well and the crowd was becoming restless.  McNiven was then guilty of fouling Morrell on the edge of the Latics box, but Ferguson's effort was shambolic to say the least. Balmer then had the first Latics attempt on goal when the ball fell to him in the box following a knock down from a free kick.  Duxbury then went down in the box but the referee waved the penalty appeals away. Stuart Balmer knocked a high ball into the box for Eyre, he challenged for the it and as it fell on the edge of the box, Murray hit a sweet volley into the corner of the Wrexham net for the equaliser.  It was a goal the second it left Murray's boot, his second goal in a week. Morrell then had a decent chance to restore the lead for Wrexham when he misjudged a cross at the far post and hit it wide from a couple of yards.  Appleby then sent Eyre through on goal and he put his shot wide of the post , it was the best chance the Latics had created.  It was a poor first half display by the Latics but they had done well to get in at the break level. The Latics began the half attacking the Chaddy End, searching for the winner that would take them nearer the play-offs.  David Eyres had a half chance when a cross from the right reached him at the far post, his shot was saved Rogers.  Murray and McNiven worked well on the right wing and McNiven's cross was turned behind for another Latics corner. John Sheridan whipped a cross in from right and Balmer looked destined to score at the near post with a header, he was pulled back and the Latics were awarded a penalty.  Brian Carey was then sent off for his challenge.  John Sheridan stepped up and powered the ball in the left corner to give Athletic the lead. The Latics were now firmly in the driving seat against the ten men.  John Sheridan was unlucky not to find a way through the visitors defence when he neatly flicked the ball over a defender but find his route to goal blocked by two Wrexham defenders. At the other end, Morrell turned and shot sharply, but his shot was wide of Rachubka's net.  Paul Murray then rescued the Latics as a header bounced up and over Rachubka, Murray on the far post kicked the ball clear to preserve the Latics lead.  John Eyre fired an effort wide after the ball had fell kindly to him on the edge of the box. Carlo Corazzin replaced John Eyre, Corazzin's record against Wrexham was excellent and a goal here would kill the game as a contest.  Athletic pressed the ten men back but they needed a break to get through the resolute visitors defence.  Trundle appealed in vain for a penalty at the other end but it was a desperate appeal to be honest, still the Latics needed a third just to be safe. It nearly came when Corazzin's header looped above the keeper but it had no power and a defender cleared the danger.  A through ball was clearly handled outside the area but neither the referee nor the linesman flagged for a penalty, it was a horrendous decision.  Paul Rickers then replaced Appleby. Tipton was then given a chance, replacing Eyres who had done well on the left flank.  Faulconbridge was also brought on for Wrexham.  Corazzin did well on the right and crossed but a Wrexham boot cleared the danger when Tipton looked in a good position to score. Trundle then missed a glorious chance to equalise when he turned Balmer and blazed over. Rachubka made a great save low down to his left in injury time to deny Roberts who had broken through on the right.  The Latics killed the game off in the final minute when Corazzin kept up his excellent record against the Welshman.  He was put in the clear and made no mistake of lobbing Rogers and celebrating with the ecstatic Latics faithful.  Another three points for the Latics who controlled the second half. Secret Friendly

Latics can now reveal details of the secret friendly match that took place this week. Head Coach Mick Wadsworth arranged a private game against his former club Newcastle United, which took place on Thursday, to give some of the Latics squad much needed match practice after returning from injury, more notably Carlo Corazzin and Paul Rickers. The game proved to be a worthwhile exercise against a side that included many big money signings in £800,000 keeper John Karelese, £1.5m. Andrew Griffin, £800,000 Wayne Quinn and £5m. defender Marcelino. In fact the Latics did so well that at one stage they were leading by 3-1 before Mick Wadsworth made changes bringing off players who were to be involved in the Wrexham game and only then did Newcastle get on top to finish 4-3 winners. The three Latics goals came from Corazzin, Ryan Sugden and Matthew Tipton. 

 Official Wrexham web site (www.wrexhamfc.co.uk) The absent Denis Smith will not have been given much reason to speed his recovery after hearing this result from Boundary Park. Yet, if you can get beyond the headlines, then it was a decent performance but without the result to match - How many times have we heard that this season! Wrexham certainly opened the game in determined mood, with three sweeping moves inside the first four minutes. First Hector Sam brought Lee Trundle, Waynne Phillips and Shaun Holmes into the move, before the Irish full back sent over a cross that Sam himself put behind at the far post. Soon afterwards it was Trundle’s turn to be at the centre of five-man move that ended with Darren Ferguson getting on the end of a rebound on the edge of the box and Paul Rachubka took the ball high above his head. A long pass out to David Eyres show the ex-Rhyl man get the better of Jim Whitley, but his pass eluded the two white shirts arriving in the middle. Wrexham’s patient build up play was rewarded on 11 minutes when Steve Thomas had been repelled twice, he found Whitely out wide and Andy Morrell brought down the defender's cross in the middle.

The striker moved round his marker Scott McNiven and from just inside the box placed the ball over keeper Rachubka. Even at this early stage it was no more than the Red Dragons had deserved, as they were taking the game to their hosts, much to the displeasure of the local supporters! The Reds continued to enjoy their fair share of possession, but Oldham did seem to find a little bit more urgency in their play, urged on by some disgruntled Latics A great threaded pass by Holmes gave Morrell the chance to put pressure on McNiven, the Wrexham man won the ball back and was then awarded a free kick on the side of the box as the pair tumbled over. Ferguson curled the resulting 25th minute kick high over the target. Oldham managed their first shot on target after 26 minutes when a free kick from the halfway line was headed away but met first time by Stuart Balmer. The centre half’s first time effort went straight back into Rogers’ arms. A minute later there were loud appeals for an Oldham penalty as Waynne Phillips and Lee Duxbury clashed inside the box chasing a ball that was running out for a goal kick. The home fans were on their feet, but Mr Cowburn was unimpressed and Phillips let the Oldham man know what he thought of the situation. The Wrexham drummer was banging out the beat from the away stand and he found plenty of willing voices to join in with him. Oldham equalised after Wrexham had two attempts at clearing the ball. First Brian Carey and then Steve Roberts failed to get any great distance on their clearances and as the ball fell for Paul Murray outside of the box his volley flew into the far corner of the net, giving the diving Rogers not chance of getting a hand to it. On 35 minutes Morrell was standing at the back post and as Sam’s cross dropped behind him, he produced a bit of Zola magic and back heeled the ball against the outside Rachubka’s right hand post! Once more the veer dangerous Eyres caused problems in the Wrexham right flank and his looping cross was taken by Rogers at full stretch. He was challenged by Murray in the air and hurt himself as the pair landed, although the referee had blown up for a foul anyway. The Reds continued to push men forward whenever they could. On 42 minutes Morrell flicked Thomas' cross on the edge of the box and the Oldham keeper needed two attempts to hold the ball under his crossbar. In the first minute of added time, John Sheridan’s delightful; through ball split the Wrexham defence and John Eyre was left one-on-one with Rogers, but the keeper did enough to force the striker to pull his shot inches wide of the post. There was still time left for both Morrell and Trundle to force saves out of Rachubka from good positions. Oldham were first to show in the second period as the forced a corner and from the in swinging kick Duxbury picked up the loose ball to fire a rising shot over Rogers crossbar. Carey was the first player in the book when he received a booking for bringing down John Eyre on the halfway line. It all fell apart in 55 minutes when after Oldham pressure Brian Carey was judged to have pushed Stuart Balmer as the Latics player was shaping for a near post header. The referee wasted no time in pointing to the spot of a penalty and producing a straight red card for the Wrexham captain. John Sheridan coolly placed the spot kick to Rogers' right, without taking a run up! Dennis Lawrence came straight in for Hector Sam and on 62 minutes Martyn Chalk appeared for Steve Thomas. Just for the record, this was the third Wrexham player Mr Cowburn has sent off this season, following the double dismissal in the home match with Colchester. Chalk and Ferguson were heading for an early bath that day, although we did comeback for a 1-1 draw! At a Wrexham corner on 67 minutes Steve Roberts’ downward header bounced over the diving Rachubka, but Paul Murray was on the line to head clear. In between Oldham pressure, Waynne Phillips managed to produce a snap shot from 25 yards that was straight at the keeper. A minute later Ferguson made ground on the left, but his cross was well out of reach for the attacking Morrell, much to the fiery Scots disappointment. On 78 minutes Trundle tried to draw a penalty when he clashed with Balmer just inside the box, but the referee just shock his head. Straight away at the other end a combination of Eyres and Eyre had Rogers in trouble, but Steve Roberts covered back to mop up the danger. Rogers was then very lucky that the only person at his end of the ground who didn’t think he had picked up a loose ball outside of his area was the assistant referee! Oldham then brought on their second substitute with Paul Rickers replacing the new signing from Barnsley, Matty Appleby. Trundle did work himself into a good position on 88 minutes but he was unable to keep his shot down when firing across the face of Rachubka’s goal. A last gasp effort saw Steve Roberts join the attack and he was clear on the left deep into added time, but had to watch on as the American keeper palmed his 15-yard effort away for a corner. Even then there was still time for Morrell to fire hopefully across the face of the target. Four minutes into time added on, who else but Carlo Corazzin added a third, when stretching the Wrexham defence to run clear from the halfway line and lob the advancing Rogers from just outside the penalty area. The 10-men did battle bravely, but it was literally an uphill battle on the sloping Boundary Park pitch. 

 Sporting Life Saturday review (www.sportinglife.com) HAT-TRICK HEROES AID PROMOTION PUSH

Nicky Forster and Bobby Zamora both grabbed hat-tricks as Reading and Brighton proved the main beneficiaries on a day of mixed fortunes for the Second Division's top four. Forster's treble strengthened Reading's position at the top of the table as he grabbed all his side's goals in their 3-0 win over Blackpool at the Madejski Stadium. Forster netted his first in the 23rd minute and had completed his hat-trick by the 51st to take his goal tally to six in as many games.

The highly-rated Zamora was also in good form as Brighton won a thrilling battle with bottom side Cambridge 4-3. Cambridge three times came from behind to draw level but Zamora's headed winner two minutes from time killed off their challenge. Gary Hart opened the scoring for the Seagulls before Shane Tudor equalised after 27 minutes. Luke Guttridge and Paul Wanless, with a penalty, both repeated the feat after Zamora had twice put Brighton back ahead, once from the spot. Cambridge also had Andy Duncan sent off for pushing.

Bristol City slipped up as struggling Northampton claimed a 3-1 victory at Ashton Gate. Jamie Forrester struck twice within a minute in the first half to stun Danny Wilson's side with James Hunt also getting on the scoresheet. Tony Thorpe netted City's reply.

Stoke also lost ground as they suffered a late 1-0 reverse at the hands of Queens Park Rangers.  Veteran midfielder Gavin Peacock scored the only goal of the game when he drilled home a shot nine minutes from time.

Relegation-threatened Wrexham suffered another defeat as Oldham secured a 3-1 win at Boundary Park. The Welsh side, with just one win in seven outings, took an early lead through Andy Morrell but Paul Murray levelled before the break. Wrexham's hopes then nosedived following the sending off of Brian Carey for holding back Stuart Balmer in the box after 55 minutes. John Sheridan struck from the resulting penalty and Carlo Corazzin came off the bench to wrap up the scoring in the last minute.

Notts County missed the opportunity to pull away from the danger zone as Port Vale won 3-1 at Meadow Lane. Stephen Brooker scored twice as Port Vale ended a miserable run of six consecutive away losses. Stephen McPhee also scored from the penalty spot with Nick Fenton grabbing a late County consolation.

Andy Booth, Chris Hay and Leon Knight were on target as Huddersfield held off a second-half Bournemouth fightback to win 3-2 at Dean Court.

Andy Liddell scored a late winner as Wigan won 1-0 at Brentford and Graham Kavanagh struck as Cardiff beat Wycombe by the same scoreline.

Bury had player-manager Andy Preece sent off as they were beaten 1-0 by Tranmere, Jason Koumas scoring the only goal.

In the day's other match, Peterborough and Swindon drew 1-1.
Team P Home Away Pts Goal
Diff
W D L F A W D L F A
Reading  28 9 2 4 24 13 8 2 3 18 11 55 18
Bristol City  29 8 3 3 23 14 7 3 5 23 17 51 15
Stoke  27 9 3 2 24 8 5 5 3 16 15 50 17
Brighton  26 9 2 1 24 11 4 8 2 14 14 49 13
QPR  28 7 5 2 25 13 6 2 6 17 18 46 11
Brentford  27 9 3 1 31 9 4 3 7 17 22 45 17
Oldham  28 9 3 2 28 10 3 6 5 20 24 45 14
Tranmere  26 7 5 2 31 13 5 2 5 15 21 43 12
Huddersfield  27 7 4 3 22 14 4 5 4 18 16 42 10
Cardiff  27 5 6 3 22 19 5 5 3 17 13 41 7
Wycombe  26 8 4 1 25 11 2 5 6 13 22 39 5
Colchester  28 8 2 4 25 17 3 4 7 20 28 39 0
Wigan  28 4 5 5 21 16 5 5 4 19 17 37 7
Port Vale  29 7 3 4 23 15 3 3 9 12 26 36 -6
Peterborough  26 7 2 3 27 12 3 3 8 10 21 35 4
Chesterfield  26 6 1 6 24 22 3 6 4 12 14 34 0
Blackpool  28 5 7 2 21 19 3 3 8 15 28 34 -11
Swindon  27 5 4 4 15 15 3 4 7 13 22 32 -9
Bournemouth  27 6 2 5 19 16 1 5 8 12 25 28 -10
Bury  28 4 4 6 14 17 3 2 9 12 29 27 -20
Notts County  27 3 5 5 16 19 3 3 8 19 27 26 -11
Wrexham  29 4 4 7 16 23 2 1 11 15 39 23 -31
Northampton  27 3 2 9 12 24 3 1 9 15 27 21 -24
Cambridge Utd  27 4 6 4 17 21 0 1 12 9 33 19 -28

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.The 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.