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BOUNDARY BULLET-zine

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Today's Edition for

          17th August 1999 

Today's Headlines

 Michael Yarwood of the Oldham Evening Chronicle writes, DEFENDER Jordan Tait is set to sign for Athletic after being released by Premiership giants Newcastle. The 19-year-old has been on trial at Boundary Park for the last three weeks and, after watching him in the reserves last night, manager Andy Ritchie wasted no time in making a decision. Ritchie said: "Jordan can play either right-back or left-back and he reminds us a bit of Denis Irwin. He is quick, he nicks the ball away from forwards and he has a good 'engine'. His passing is also very good and he looks comfortable on the ball."

Tait is a free agent and was recommended to Athletic by their former full-back Carl Serrant, now at St James Park. He agreed terms with Hartlepool recently, only for them to withdraw their offer for financial reasons. He was due to discuss terms with Athletic today and, with Stuart Thom injured and both Paul Reid and Lee Sinnott gone on free transfers, would add much-needed defensive cover.

Tait could even come into the first-team reckoning straight away. Other than Ian McLean, who hasn't made the progress expected of him, Athletic can call on no natural left-back whenever Andrew Holt has to move inside. Paul Rickers is filling in at the moment but, as a right footed midfield player by trade, he is being asked to de an unfamiliar job. Tait is equally at home at right back - the position he played for the reserves - and Ritchie said his presence would allow Scott McNiven to double up as a centre-half when required.

Steve Whitehall played for an hour last night on his comeback from injury, while Mark Allott scored twice and Matthew Tipton once in the 3-3 draw with Preston. FIFA have dealt Athletic a financial blow by insisting that the August 30 Bank Holiday fixture against Millwall will be called off due to The Lions' international commitments. Athletic claimed that Lucas Neill's call-up to an Australian soccer camp as part of the Olympic 2000 build-up didn't meet the requirements for a full inter national. The Football League seemed to back their argument, but football's world governing body has now over ruled them. Athletic chief executive Hardy, aware that the crowd is likely to be smaller for the re-arranged match admitted: "We're very disappointed to lose a Bank Holiday fixture." No new date has yet been fixed.

PRESTON RESERVES 3 ATHLETIC RESERVES 3

MARK ALLOTT and Matthew Tipton returned to goalscoring form last night as Athletic reserves were denied victory in a frantic finish. Both strikers have been struggling at first-team level, but they were revitalised by a change of scenery in the first Pontins League game of the season. A late error by goalkeeper John Mohan - making his debut for the reserves after his summer move from York City - cost Athletic victory. Mohan, who was playing because of David Miskelly's Northern Ireland under-21 call-up, allowed an 86th-minute shot from Brian Barry-Murphy to slip through his legs. Mark Wright had given Preston a 13th-minute lead in the match played at Bamber Bridge.

But Tipton pulled Athletic level just before the half hour when ho collected the ball in midfield, weaved through three tackles and curled his shot into the top corner from 20 yards. It was a stunning goal by Tipton, but Athletic fell behind again through Stuart King's strike on the stroke of half-time. The second half was end to end and, in the 79th minute, Allott grabbed the equaliser with a glancing header from Ian McLean's cross. A trip on substitute Craig Dudley then allowed Allott to convert an 85th-minute penalty, only for Preston to snatch their third goal sixty seconds later.

ATHLETIC: Mohan, Tait, McLean, Hotte, Swan, Salt, Tipton, Boshell (Wharton 76), Sugden (D McNiven 56), Whitehall (Dudley 60), Allott. Subs (not used): Campbell, Futcher.

 Teamtalk Oldham
Duo push for chance
Both Steve Whitehall and David McNiven played for the reserves on Monday after recent injuries, and are now pushing for a first team place. Whitehall made his comeback last night following surgery to repair ankle damage.
The striker had to come off in the second half against Preston after jarring his back, but confirmed he was over the problem when he reported for training on Tuesday morning. As for McNiven, he looks to be back to top form after last season's problems with ankle ligament damage. If he continues to improve, he will be another soon knocking on the first team door.
Reserves six goal thriller
Mark Allott and Matthew Tipton scored the goals for the reserves on Monday night, as the second string drew 3-3 with Preston.
Allott was on target twice, with Welsh Under 21 international Tipton grabbing the other. The Latics were trailing 2-1 for a long time, but hit back to go 3-2 in front, only for a hopeful 30 yard shot to earn North End a draw with just seconds remaining.
Andy Ritchie watched the game, and said afterwards: "The lads did really well to come back from 2-1 down, but their killer goal somehow managed to trickle through the legs of the keeper."
 
 

 Anyone interested in buying some old Latics programmes from the 60's and 70's let me know.
 Contributions and letters should be sent to Gary Davies by e-mail at [email protected]The views expressed on this e-zine are not the views of Oldham Athletic F.C. nor necessarily the views of the EditorAny complaints will be dealt with swiftlyThe editor will not publish any letters containing bad languageThis e-zine is written using Microsoft Outlook Express
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