Welcome to today's issue of 
 
The Unofficial Daily On-line e-zine for  236 Oldham Athletic Supporters Worldwide
 
Today's Edition for
 
    21st January 2002 
The logo's are used with the permission of Oldham Athletic Football Club
 
Welcome to new subscribers in Foxboro (Mass), Las Vegas, San Jose and Bosnia
 
 Oldham Evening Chronicle (www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk) Athletic spoilt for choice ATHLETIC hope to give their promotion chances a major boost tomorrow by selecting from a fully-fit squad of strikers. Coach Mick Wadsworth could be spoilt for choice in the match at Port Vale, where his side will bid for a hat-trick of wins. First-choice pairing David Reeves and Allan Smart were ruled out on Saturday, but there is a chance both will return. Carlo Corazzin is back in action after six weeks, while the club’s other forwards – John Eyre, Matthew Tipton, Craig Dudley and Ryan Sugden – are all staking claims. Reeves injured his ankle against Swindon last week and the swelling was too severe for a quick recovery. The 34-year-old, with three goals in five games since his arrival, is banking on the problem settling down after a few more days’ rest. Smart wasn’t risked against Wrexham on Saturday as he needed time to get over a heavy blow to the head. But Wadsworth is optimistic the £225,000 signing, who played on loan for Vale’s arch-rivals Stoke this season, will be ready to return. In their absence, Eyre has grabbed centre-stage by scoring twice against Swindon and playing as a lone striker against Wrexham. Corazzin, meanwhile, earned a surprise recall on Saturday and bagged the last goal in Athletic’s 3-1 win. Wadsworth said: “I was pleased for Carlo because he came back in record time from a double hernia and took his goal well. “I would have liked to bring him off the bench earlier, but he played 90 minutes in a private match at Newcastle on Thursday and we need to take it steady.” Athletic lost 4-3 against Newcastle, where Wadsworth spent two years as Bobby Robson’s assistant, but all their marksmen were in form. The goals came from Corazzin and Sugden – both of whom have been told they can leave the club – while Tipton was also on target. As Dudley has made two senior appearances this month, competition will be fierce when seventh-placed Athletic go to mid-table Vale. Wadsworth added: “Although Port Vale’s fortunes have turned round recently, I’m confident we can get something from the game.” The fixture kicks off at 7.45, with admission priced at £15 for adults, £10 for pensioners and £8 for juniors. Latics steal the show AFTER their post-Christmas hangover, Athletic are still below the standards they achieved when Mick Wadsworth was settling in as manager. On Saturday, however, they again showed the priceless knack of collecting points without playing well. The league table, allied to Wrexham's awful defensive record, suggested this should have been a comfortable match for any self-respecting promotion chaser. Instead, it was a close-fought affair. The red-hot favourites made hard work of winning and, before they scored at the death, could have been pegged back to 2-2. There were two key elements in Athletic's fifth win in six league games — the incident which put them in front and a telling display from central midfield. Not long after half-time, Wrexham's Brian Carey was sent off and John Sheridan converted the resulting penalty. And Sheridan was heavily involved in the second big factor. He had a masterful game in Athletic's engine room, with Paul Murray and new-boy Matt Appleby acting as able assistants. The coup de grace was added by Carlo Corazzin, who returned from injury to score for the first time since September. Wrexham really are Corazzin's lucky team. Of his 16 goals for Athletic, seven have come against these opponents — and he has done it at the amazing rate of one every 27 minutes. Yet Athletic were desperately slow out of the traps, making a Wrexham team with only seven away points all season look like world-beaters. It was their dopiest opening for months and could have left them with a two-goal deficit or worse, in which case the comeback would have been much tougher. As it was, a touch of class from Murray hauled them level and ensured damage was kept to a minimum. They still didn't get out of third gear, though, and the final goal made their win look deceptively easy. With David Reeves and Allan Smart injured, Athletic had to make changes. And the starting XI was surprisingly cautious. At home to a team who had already conceded 59 times this term, John Eyre was the only recognised striker and had to rely on support from midfield. It worked out in the end, of course, but attacking thrusts lacked a focal point whenever Eyre — as was often the case – had trouble in keeping possession. While points take priority over performance, Athletic were frayed around the edges and need to improve if they are to secure a play-off place. Wrexham soon showed that their main striker, former Stalybridge man Lee Trundle, was going to cause problems with his physical presence. Trundle, an angry bull of a player, turned Athletic's defence three times in the first five minutes to set up shots for himself and Darren Ferguson. The hosts were far too lethargic, so it was no accident that Wrexham drew first blood in the 11th minute. Jim Whitley's cross should have been cleared by Scott McNiven, but the full-back allowed Andy Morrell to get ahead of him and loop in a deflected shot from 15 yards. Athletic created absolutely nothing in the first 25 minutes, continually losing possession and coming second in most tackles. Stuart Balmer's shot finally broke the famine and there were more signs of life when Carey got away with a penalty-box shove on Lee Duxbury. Nonetheless, their efforts didn't really warrant the equaliser scored with perfect technique by Murray. A half-clearance landed at his feet and the ex-England 'B' star hit a superb angled volley for his second fine goal in a week. Wrexham almost hit back when Morrell combined luck, skill and impudence to back-heel a swirling cross against the outside of the post — it would have been a Zola-like flash of inspiration. But Athletic missed a clear chance to go in front before the break as Eyre fired wide from Sheridan's astute through-ball. Sheridan did the job himself after 56 minutes, slotting home a spot-kick after Balmer was held back when about to meet his cross. Carey's straight red card capped a miserable day for the visiting captain as he had also been booked during a nervous performance. His team-mates went close to repairing the damage when a chance was carved out for Morrell, whose shot grazed the woodwork. And Morrell was thwarted for the second time in a minute, with Murray clearing off the line after Wrexham's first corner was poorly defended. Having wrestled control, Athletic had taken their foot off the gas and were being hindered by a lack of movement up front. It might be a subconscious tendency to relax against 10 men — and goodness knows enough teams have done it — but they continued to give Wrexham hope. There was an opening for Craig Faulconbridge, while Trundle's curling shot drifted agonisingly beyond the far post. The biggest scare came in stoppage time when Paul Rachubka saved well to his right after Steve Roberts was given yards of space in the box. Corazzin had been unleashed for the last quarter-hour and his obligatory goal was rough on the visitors, who probably couldn't believe their bad luck when the team-sheet confirmed he was back. The striker dealt yet another blow to Welsh-Canadian diplomacy when he collected Matthew Tipton's pass and calmly lobbed the advancing ’keeper from 20 yards.Coach takes comfort from spirited display after early setback 
MICK WADSWORTH praised Athletic for their persistence in overcoming a dogged Wrexham side. The coach admitted there was work to be done but said Athletic, who had squandered the lead at Chesterfield last week, did well to turn the tables. “Going a goal down was always going to make life difficult,” he said. “After that, Wrexham were quite happy to get men behind the ball. “Statistics show that if you score the first goal you have an 80-odd-per-cent chance of winning the game. “I'm pleased we came back the way we did. We can take comfort from the fact you need spirit and character to do that. “It was all a bit scrappy — not very open or fluid — and we had to keep chipping away. “Paul Murray got a terrific goal and after Wrexham had the man sent off we did well until the last three or four minutes. “Then they put the big guys up front and started booting it. They were always going to make the odd chance because they bombarded us. “If you are only one goal ahead going into injury time, there's a danger a loose ball will get through somewhere. “But we defended our box quite well and had created enough situations to win the game before it got to that stage. “We got one penalty which John Sheridan took very well, although you expect that because he has been around the block a few times. “But the referee missed a blatant one in the first half. Everyone in the ground thought Lee Duxbury was fouled, including the Wrexham staff, so I was quite relieved when the second one came along.” Wrexham are stuck in the relegation zone and coach Kevin Russell bemoaned their lack of killer instinct. He said: “We played really well for long spells, but a sloppy start to the second half cost us the game. “It's becoming a bit embarrassing to say that every week, but there are lots of positives for us at the moment. “You have to remember Oldham have spent a lot of money. We competed with them well and should have got a draw or even a win. “There's a long way to go and I can't complain about the effort or performances — it's our finishing and results which are the problem.” 
 IC Wales (http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk) Skipper-less Dragons hit deck with a thud

Oldham Athletic 3 Wrexham 1 FREE-FALLING Wrexham hit the deck with another resounding thud at Oldham, where they had skipper Brian Carey sent off 10 minutes into the second half. Carey's straight red card means he will miss three games. He was sent off by Blackpool referee Mark Cowburn, who sent off two Wrexham players during the home game against Colchester United on August 25. This time he dismissed Carey for what he saw as a professional foul. Carey clearly tugged Stuart Balmer - denying him a goal-scoring opportunity - so the referee sent him off and also awarded Oldham a penalty from which they scored. Wrexham manager Denis Smith was not there to see it because he was ill, but his right-hand-man Kevin Russell said, "I'm very disappointed because we should have got something out of the game. "In the first half we played very well, but we've not had that little bit of luck that you need sometimes to win matches". Wrexham didn't need luck in the first half as they tore Latics to pieces. Andy Morrell gave them a deserved 12th-minute lead with the help of a slight deflection, but the Red Dragons were on fire for most of the opening 45 minutes. Jim Whitley's cross gave Morrell his chance to score his first goal for almost a year but Wrexham again paid for letting the team off the hook. Oldham hardly threatened Kristian Rogers in Wrexham's goal but Paul Murray conjured up an equaliser on the stroke of half-time after some poor defending. That set it up nicely for a winner-take-all second half but then came that double whammy for Wrexham. Carey, who had been booked earlier, was clearly upset that the referee showed him a straight red card instead of a second yellow That means he faces an automatic three-match ban when Wrexham need him most in the run-in to avoid relegation. There was little doubt about the penalty and John Sheridan stuck it past Rogers with commendable poise amid the hubbub. Ten-man Wrexham gave it a whirl before finally going under to yet another goal scored against them by Carlo Corazzin. He scored four against Wrexham last season. And made it 3-1 in stoppage time to clinch the points. But it was another day of frustration for Wrexham, who were by far the better side in the first half. The sending-off swung it against them but that's how it goes when you're down on your luck. 

 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 
Rachubka to Stay?

The Latics have this morning, agreed with Manchester United to extend Paul Rachubka's loan stay for a third and final month.  That means his last game for the Latics will be at Peterborough United on February 23rd. Rachubka's loan cannot be extended until the end of the season like Holden and Beharall because clubs are only allowed a maximum of two long term loans at any one time.  His form since his arrival has been excellent, in the ten matches he has been involved in, he has kept six clean sheets.  That form has helped the Latics climb from mid-table into a challenging promotion position.

Injury Setbacks

David Reeves received the bad news that he has damaged ankle ligaments following last Wednesday's home game against Swindon Town.  The striker picked up the knock as early as the first minute but battled on bravely to finish the game.  However, in the process, he has damaged his ankle ligaments and is set to be out for the next couple of weeks. The news for Allan Smart is slightly better, he was carried off with a blow to his head.  His head has fully recovered but he landed heavily on his ankle and missed Saturday's game against Wrexham.  He is rated as doubtful for the game at Port Vale tomorrow. 

 TEAMtalk (www.teamtalk.co.uk) Horton to make changes 
Vale are without their experienced midfielder John Durnin for Tuesday night's home clash with Oldham so Brian Horton is forced to make changes. Durnin serves a one-match suspension after being red-carded at Peterborough but Vale do welcome back Sagi Burton back from his suspension. Fellow defender Rae Ingram is also available for selection after recovering from injury as is Marc Bridge-Williamson. Vale are brimming with confidence after turning in one of their best away performances of the season at Meadow Lane. Horton said: "I can't go with the same team because Durnin is ruled out. But we have Sagi Burton and Rae Ingram back which is a boost." 
Young midfielder set for start 
Marc Bridge-Wilkinson could make his first start of the season tomorrow night following his recovery from a knee injury as Vale entertain Oldham. Brian Horton is remaining tight-lipped over whether he will name the midfielder in the starting line-up after the 22-year-old appeared as a late substitute in Saturdays win at Notts County. Horton said: "Marc's return is good news for us and the fans were obviously pleased to see him back. "But whether he will start against Oldham is another matter. We'll have to wait and see."

Youngsters hammer Latics North End's youngsters provided the only highlight of a depressing weekend when they thrashed Lancashire rivals Oldham. While the first team was struggling to find the net in the disappointing 2-0 home defeat against Gillingham on Saturday, the youth team hit six without reply to continue their impressive recent run. John Bailey set the tone for the game with a second-minute opener, and goals from Joe O'Neill and Lee Madin gave Preston a three-goal advantage at half time. The pattern continued after the break when Kewley struck twice and Langmead added another to complete the rout. 

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.