21st February 2002 

David Beharall's knee injury is not responding to treatment as quick as everyone would like and therefore he will be missing from Saturdays line-up against Peterborough.This will mean the pairing of Stuart Balmer and Julien Baudet is likely to continue although new signing Michael Clegg, who scored on his reserve team debut yesterday, is likely to come into contention. 
Wadsworth Boosted by Duo's Return

Both Darren Sheridan and long-standing injury victim Tony Carss came through yesterdays reserve team victory over Preston North End at Boundary Park unscathed.Sheridan's return is after serving a five match ban and recovering from a niggling thigh injury whilst Tony Carss' ankle injury which has bothered him since September showed no reaction after a full 90 minutes. Carss however did suffer with cramp towards the end of the game but this can only be expected after such a long lay-off. 
Reserves Match Report Latics second string had a comfortable 3-0 victory against Lancashire neighbours Preston this afternoon. Latics fielded a strong team, with Michael Clegg being given his first outing in Latics colours and Tony Carss being given a run following lengthy injury. Preston had a youthful look although they did have recent signing Dickson Etuhu in their eleven. Latics kicked the game off in a hailstorm with conditions arguably worse than Tuesday night. The first chance of the game fell to Lee Hardy who fired just wide after 14 minutes, as Athletic continued to press for an opener Preston left back, Adam Douglas joined Darren Sheridan in the referee’s notebook for a late challenge on John Eyre. It was only a matter of time before Athletic took the lead with Darren Sheridan, Lee Hardy and Dean Holden all going close. The opener finally arrived in the 29th minute when the impressive Adam Griffin sent John Eyre racing clear to slot past Preston keeper Andy Lonergan. A minute later Preston left back Adam Douglas was shown the red card after his second booking following yet another reckless challenge on Latics John Eyre. Athletic were now dominating the proceedings with Gary Kelly a mere spectator, Tony Carss came close to doubling Athletics’ lead just before the break firing just over. The half time break saw Athletic take Darren Sheridan off and send on Danny Boshell. The break did not stop Athletic from piling on the pressure with Lee Hardy, Adam Griffin, Danny Boshell and Michael Clegg all producing saves from the busy North End keeper. Latics second goal came in the 68th minute when Captain Dean Holden headed Paul Rickers corner home. Again Latics came forward with Tony Carss instrumental in midfield and Athletics’ third goal came just before full time when Lee Hardy rifle home from 12 yards. As the final whistle approached an exhausted Tony Carss was treated for cramp, but he returned to finish off an excellent day at the office. 
DAVID CROSS' POST MATCH COMMENTS Asked about his thoughts on the match and the team, which included brand new signing Michael Clegg, David continues; It was difficult really, we were playing 10 men for the most part of the game and Preston were quite young as well. Last week we actually played quite well, the result was disappointing but the performance was quite encouraging and all I said before the match was if they repeat that performance against a young Preston side then we should win with what we had in the team. As it happens the referee was very harsh early on with yellow cards and obviously caused one of their boys to get sent off after 25 minutes or so. I wouldn’t say that changed the game but it certainly altered it in our favour. We were a goal up at the time anyway but it really meant that Preston had their backs against the wall. Having said that we kept the ball quite well, kept our shape, which was important- didn’t go gung ho- which you can do in those situations and it can be that you unlock your own back door and they can get in. Thankfully whenever they did get near goal Gary Kelly made important saves, Dean Holden did well and the back four and in the end the result was solid but it always leaves you with a strange taste in the mouth after a game when you have beaten 10 men because you think, would we have beaten 11. It’s a little bit unsatisfactory but in the position that we are in league-wise then I’ll take the three points. 

Wadsworth delight over Clegg Mick Wadsworth has spoken of his delight that Manchester United old boy Michael Clegg has pledged his future to The Latics until 2005. Clegg was out of contract in the summer, but after talks with Sir Alex Ferguson it was agreed to let him leave earlier. Wadsworth said: "We are very grateful to Sir Alex for that." He added: "Michael is a very talented player and he can also play at centre-half. "He has a good range of passing, is quick and is good at driving forward. "He is not the tallest player, but he is a very good athlete. "To reach the age of 24 and stay in Manchester United's squad, albeit as a bit-part player, shows that the manager has a high assessment of you. "I'm sure he will become very important and influential player for Oldham Athletic." 
Keepers injury bonus David Miskelly has been told that he can step up his comeback training after dislocating his shoulder in the game against Stoke last November. The specialists are pleased with the way the shoulder is on the mend and have said the young stopper can make the next step on his road to rehabilitation. Although it is thought that it could be at least another six weeks before he will return to action. 
Pitch praised by Robson The Boundary Park pitch has been praised by non other than Newcastle boss Bobby Robson who was watching the game against Tranmere. He commented that despite the torrential rain that has hit the area over the last few days, and the heavy challenges that were made the pitch did not cut up at all. It was reported that one month's rain fell in one day which meant that the clash was the only game in the area to get the go-ahead. McKenzie set to miss Latics clash 
Striker Leon McKenzie is set to miss Saturday's home game against Oldham after being substituted against Northampton due to an ankle strain.  The 23-year-old, who is having intensive treatment in a bid to be fit, has only played in 19 of the club's 31 league matches this season due to a string of unrelated injuries, but is the leading goalscorer with nine goals, in addition to one in the FA Cup and one in the LDV Vans Trophy. "It's very frustrating both for the club and for Leon himself," said Barry Fry.
"We're a much, much better team when we've got him out on the park, anyone can see that." Meanwhile, Marc Joseph is also in the queue for treatment after he, too, suffered an ankle injury on Tuesday night. 

A cold and rather boggy Boundary Park was the location for this reserve match. With many of North End's first team squad training abroad, the youngsters were called upon and only three of the starting line-up were not youth team players. Conversely, Oldham fielded a side which contained several first team players, including Darren Sheridan, Paul Rickers, Dean Holden  and Tony Carss, as well as former Manchester United man Michael Clegg. The first real chance of the match came when North End won a free-kick on the edge of the area. Etuhu took the set-piece but it struck the Oldham wall and home side cleared. Shortly after, a good ball from Nesa found O'Neill, who forced a good save from Kelly and shortly after, North End wasted another free-kick. Oldham then had an opportunity when they won a free-kick a couple of yards from the corner flag. North End defended well however and Lonergan easily claimed the ball. Oldham had another good chance when a right-wing cross from Hardy looked destined for Eyre's head until a great interception by Kempson ended the attack for the Latics. Hardy looked to slot through to the front two but Sow did well to intercept and even better to break for North End. Having run half the length of the pitch, he slotted the ball through to Abbott who found Etuhu on the edge of the area. The former Man City man shot from eighteen yards and forced a fine save from Kelly. Oldham then had a good spell of pressure, in which Lonergan had to be alert when a cross-shot looked destined for the top left-hand corner. Carss was then caught dwelling too long on the ball and O'Neill stepped in. As he attempted to go round the keeper, however, the experienced Kelly managed to get a hand to the ball and clear the danger. Oldham found the breakthrough when Griffin played a wonderful ball through to EYRE, who made no mistake from twelve yards. Things went from bad to worse for North End when the referee sent off Douglas for his second yellow card. The official had already awarded several free-kicks for fairly minor things and seemed all too quick to introduce cards into a game that had not seen a bad challenge. Oldham began the more dominant side in the second half, Hardy missing three chances for the home side and shortly after, it was the same player who turned provider, whipping a cross in which Boshell failed to connect with at the far post. Oldham made their superiority show shortly after when a corner evaded everyone and left BOSHELL with a free header, which he looped over Lonergan. Lonergan prevented another goal when he made a great save from Rickers and shortly after he was at his best again to when a fierce drive was unleashed and he managed to put it over the crossbar. HARDY put the game beyond North End when he buried an effort from a wide angle as Preston were overstretched as a result of the first half dismissal. Interestingly, there were several challenges in the second half which were far worse than either of the ones for which Douglas was booked but the offenders received no punishment. Quinn had a chance to reduce the arrears late on when he made a great run through but Kelly was once again on hand for Latics and the home side kept their clean sheet. Teams: Oldham Athletic: Gary Kelly, Michael Clegg, Adam Griffin, Dean Holden, Will Holden (sub Ben Smith), Will Haining (Danny Boshell), Darren Sheridan, Paul Rickers, Tony Carss, John Eyre, Scott Vernon (sub Joe Doran), Lee Hardy. Subs not used: Tom Whittle, Danny Hall. PNE: Andy Lonergan, Ricky Mercer, Darren Kempson, Tony Hallam, Adam Douglas; John Bailey, Dickson Etuhu (sub Paddy Quinn), Remo Nesa (sub Mark Cromwell), Sadio Sow (sub Kelvin Langmead); Pawel Abbott, Joe O'Neill. Subs not used: Michael Kewley, Michael Brown.