19th April 2000   

Chesterfield win at BP
Liverpool's Murphy to have Latics trial

THE Boundary Park casualty unit took in another victim today when Mark Innes arrived for treatment on a hip injury. The 21-year-old midfielder was hurt in last night's home defeat against Chesterfield and is now doubtful for the weekend visit of Cardiff. Athletic already have seven senior players out of action, four of them for the rest of the season. The problems have seen Innes become central to their plans — despite him being on the transfer list — but the squad could now be decimated even further. Innes came off worst when he challenged for a high ball seconds after half-time last night. He lasted for another five minutes but was holding his hip and clearly playing in discomfort. 

It was a bad night all round for Athletic, who fell victim to Chesterfield's first away win since September. Manager Andy Ritchie said: "People will say we had a young side, but those players have to learn quickly. "We switched off after we scored and there was a lack of communication at the back." Athletic's reserves are back in action tonight with a Pontins League fixture against West Brom (7 pm kick-off). The side will include two trialists in Michael Harris and Simon Glover. Harris is a first-year professional who is being released by Newcastle, while Glover has had spells with QPR, Nottingham Forest and Fulham. Both will play in defence, along with Ian McLean, who has been out in the cold all year. 

McLean is available on a free transfer and Athletic have been leaving him out of the reserves to give their younger professionals a game. But the injury crisis has bitten so deep that the 21-year-old defender is now drafted in as emergency cover. Athletic are also resting some of their fringe players as the reserves have another game tomorrow night, at Scunthorpe. Reserves (from): Robertson, Harris, Glover, Haining, Futcher, McLean, Wharton, Walsh, Froggatt, Gardiner, McLaughlin, Roberts, Oliver, Smith, Rock, Whittle.

ATHLETIC’S youngsters were given a rude awakening last night as Chesterfield — a team with only five wins in 41 league games — inflicted an embarrassing defeat at Boundary Park. Injuries and inexperience were clearly massive factors, but Andy Ritchie’s men simply didn’t function against visitors who still look doomed to the drop. The manager was in no mood for showing pity and locked his side in the dressing room for a half-hour post-match inquest. When he emerged, he kept his comments short and not very sweet. “There has been a long meeting,” Ritchie said, “because, after the first 20 minutes, we were total rubbish — and that’s putting it mildly. “We played into their hands and accepted defeat. That’s the most disappointing aspect of the whole thing.”

The players on Athletic’s sick-list constituted more than half a team, with the likes of Garnett, Graham, Rickers, Sheridan, Adams, Dudley and Allott all missing. Although 12 members of last night’s squad were aged 21 or under, Ritchie was right — after going in front with a brilliant goal on the break, Athletic surrendered the points far too easily. It was good to see the likes of David Miskelly, Phil Salt and Danny Boshell get extended runs, but how the side missed a bigger sprinkling of experience. They were totally unable to stamp their authority and clearly missed the steel and guidance those older heads can provide. In midfield, Athletic were a shadow of the dominant force which was too much for Wigan seven days earlier. Passing was poor and they were second to everything, with Lee Duxbury looking jaded and Salt unable to make any impact in his first game since August. Compounding the problem, the wing-backs allowed Chesterfield to dictate to them and, as a result, were too withdrawn. The forwards had no sparkle, the defence dropped almighty clangers . . . are any more reasons needed for this dismal, and surprising, defeat?

It would be unfair to blame the slump solely on Athletic’s inadequacies. Chesterfield needed guts to recover from Steve Whitehall’s early goal and were justly delighted with their efforts. David Reeves showed quality in attack, while the effervescent Ryan Williams had a tremendous game in midfield. The Spireites showed great spirit to cling on to their slender survival lifeline and end a seven-month run without an away win. But Athletic made them look an awful lot better than they really are. Their record this season tells an eloquent tale of its own. And if Ritchie’s side are to live with the best in the division next term, they will have to shake off their reckless inconsistency — injuries or not. Athletic took the lead after 15 minutes with a lightning-fast attack which, flattering though the comparison may be, was taken straight from the Manchester United textbook. It began when goalkeeper Miskelly caught a high cross and, Peter Schmeichel-style, threw quickly to Mark Innes on the halfway line. His pass down the left found Matthew Tipton timing his run to perfection and, when Tipton crossed low to the far post, Whitehall tapped in to become his side’s joint-top scorer with 11.

Thanks to their goalkeeper’s quick thinking, Athletic had sprung from one end of the field to the other in about 10 seconds flat. In teamwork terms, it was one of their best goals of the season. And its simplicity was something Chesterfield failed miserably to copy when they broke away themselves in the 23rd minute. A Chris Perkins centre found Athletic undermanned in defence as Reeves and Roger Willis waited to pounce. Both forwards looked afraid to shoot and, by the time they had finished hesitating and passing, there were enough men back to block Willis’s eventual drive. Yet the lethargic hosts didn’t heed the warning, and they were punished just before the half-hour as Williams bagged the equaliser. When Mark Hotte’s control let him down 30 yards from goal, the little midfielder stole the ball and exchanged passes with Willis. He still had plenty to do as he reached the edge of the area, but an accurate left-foot shot snaked its way into the bottom corner.

It was a breakthrough the visitors deserved and they continued to pour forward, with Williams providing a chance for Reeves. They thought they had gone in front in the 42nd minute, but a Willis header was touched on to the post by Miskelly and bounced straight back into the grateful goalkeeper’s arms. The winner, however, did arrive moments later, again after some atrocious defending from Athletic. The home rearguard simply stood and watched the ball as it rolled towards the by-line, apparently thinking they were guaranteed a goal-kick. But Chesterfield had other ideas and Williams scampered across to pick up possession and cross for an unmarked Willis, who slotted in easily from six yards. After Athletic brought on Boshell and Ryan Sugden in the second half, there was a temporary lift which saw Andrew Holt test ‘keeper Mark Gayle. Other than that one minor scare, Chesterfield were comfortable at the back, as well as looking more threatening going forward. Willis had a diving header blocked before Duxbury fired too close to Gayle with a rare Athletic opening. Salt and Sugden went close in injury time, but Athletic’s late flurry lacked conviction. Not only that, but it summed up the 90 minutes which had gone before.

THE second bid to make Clayton playing fields a town green, scuppering the Sports Park 2000 scheme, has failed. Members of the Commons Registration Sub-committee decided the application to give the land protected status, submitted by three members of the Clayton Action Group, did not meet the criteria. They voted by three votes to two to throw out the bid, leaving the way clear for a new stadium to built on the land — if the Charity Commission agree to the proposals. 

An Oldham Council solicitor, Mr Gareth Owen, warned the five councillors — two Liberal Democrat and three Labour — that they must separate their roles as trustees and councillors in the matter. But the voting was along party lines, with Lib-Dem councillors Keith Pendlebury and Brian Lord defeated by Labour councillors David Hibbert, Andrew Lyon and chairman David Heyes. 

Councillor Pendlebury called for the matter to be settled by an independent inquiry, saying the complex legal issues could be beyond laymen. But Mr Owen said that even if an independent inspector was appointed, he could only make a recommendation to the committee. Members would still have to decide whether to accept the recommendation or not. He added that the crucial factors were whether the fields had been used as of right for not less than 20 years; whether the fields were for the benefit of a defined locality — the deed of gift stating Royton, Chadderton and Oldham does not qualify; and whether criteria were met for the small part of the land behind the Rifle Range Inn. 

Councillors Pendlebury and Lord argued that use was as of right for more than 20 years because anybody could go on there without permission to walk their dog or play. Councillor Pendlebury added: “It is clear there needs to be permission for organised activities, because 20 teams cannot use the same pitch. “Whether organisation constitutes permission is neither here nor there. We are referring to non-organised, legal activities, and it is clear that such use is as of right.” Councillor Lord claimed locality was difficult to define in this case, but was not entirely relevant, as the fields, once protected, would be for a particular area, but anyone would be allowed to use them. 

Councillor David Hibbert said the town-green bid fails on three measures, as explained in the legal advice to the council. He added: “The permission to use the land comes from the trust. You cannot argue on one hand that the trust gives people the right to use it, then say that people do not have to have the right. “It is difficult to satisfy the locality, because it is not clear where the locality is. If it was a village, people could say it is for that village. “But I have lived in Chadderton for nearly 40 years and, on this proposed locality, I would not be part of the locality it was for.” Councillor Pendlebury said that even the two London barristers employed by the council could not agree on the matter of whether the trust gave permission to use the land. One claimed lawful use was as of right, but a second claimed the trust granted permission. But Mr Owen said they took the latter advice because the former’s version of the definitions in question was unjustifiably restrictive and could fail at a later appeal. He added: “The legal advice is that there are four component parts to register a town green, and two are met and two are not met.” 

MEMBERS of the Clayton Action Group said today the fight to protect the fields will go on. It is anticipated a third town green bid will now be submitted — addressing the points on which the last one failed. Mel Fitton, who led the first application, said: “There will be another application in the near future. “It could eventually finish up in court, but it would be a civil court. As far as we are concerned, it is still full steam ahead to get the land protected.” He added: “We are not surprised at the result of this meeting. We always planned to go on. “Our solicitor has not had time to answer the objections, we have only had six weeks. “We are all working people, and when you think my case went for nearly two years, that is not a long time.” He said he would have preferred the applicants —Simon Hewitt, Alma Haslam, and Beverly Macyna — to be there, but Mrs Macyna’s son is critically ill in hospital. 

Mr Fitton said: “One reason for my delay was the solicitor to the council was off sick for two months. “They have 21 solicitors for the council, we have one - plus a few part-time amateurs.” Mrs Haslam added: “Our solicitor says we have a very good case and we have not played our aces yet. “Counsel has said use of the land is `as of right’ and the laws on locality may change soon. There may also be a case in civil law to remove the trustees. We have had a solicitor for just six weeks, and when we were sent the objections we only had two weeks to respond to them. The fight will definitely go on.” 

The simplicity of the goal was something Chesterfield failed to copy when they broke away themselves in the 23rd minute. A Chris Perkins centre found David Reeves and Roger Willis waiting to pounce, yet both forwards delayed for too long and allowed the Oldham defence to block. Chesterfield learned their lesson just before the half hour, bagging an equaliser through the outstanding Ryan Williams. The midfield man robbed Mark Hotte 30 yards from goal, exchanged passes with Willis and hit an accurate left-foot drive into the bottom corner from the edge of the box. It was a breakthrough Chesterfield deserved and they thought they had gone in front in the 42nd minute when a Willis header was touched on to the post by Miskelly and bounced straight back into the grateful keeper's hands.

The winner did arrive moments later, once again thanks to some nightmare defending from Oldham. They simply stood and watched as the ball crept out for a goal-kick but Williams had other ideas and reacted quickly to take possession and cross for an unmarked Willis, who slotted in from six yards. Oldham made two changes early in the second half and visiting goalkeeper Mark Gayle faced a rare test in the 58th minute from Andrew Holt's volley. Other than that half-chance, Chesterfield remained comfortable at the back, as well as looking more threatening going forward. Willis had a diving header blocked before Lee Duxbury's shot was saved, and both Phillip Salt and Ryan Sugden fired wide. But Oldham's late rally was never enough to stave off a surprise defeat.
 
  

Oldham 1, Chesterfield 2

Last three meetings Chesterfield 0, Oldham 1 (6/11/1999) Chesterfield 1, Oldham 3 (26/12/1998) Oldham 2, Chesterfield 0 (22/8/1998)

Final

Final Results Oldham 1 Chesterfield 2 Name, Minutes Whitehall, 15  Name, Minutes Williams, R, 29  Willis, 43  Yellow Cards Name, Minutes Thom, 44 foul Sugden, 73 foul   Name, Minutes Woods, 73 violent conduct Red Cards Name, Minutes No Red Cards   Name, Minutes No Red Cards Match Stats 9 Goal Attempts 12 2 (On Target) 7 0 (Bar/Post) 1 9 Fouls 6 1 Offsides 3 7 Corners 10

Match Squads & Ratings 3 stars (out of 5) Oldham Chesterfield G 1. Miskelly - 6 D 2. Jones - 5 M 3. Hotte - 5 D 4. Thom - 6 D 5. McNiven, S - 5 D 6. Holt - 7 D 7. Innes - 6 D 8. Salt - 5 D 9. Duxbury - 6 F 10. Tipton - 5 F 11. Whitehall - 6 G 1. Gayle - 7 M 2. Carss - 7 D 3. Blatherwick - 7 D 4. Breckin - 7 D 5. Payne - 7 D 6. Willis - 7 M 7. Perkins - 7 D 8. Simpkins - 7 D 9. Williams, R - 9 D 10. Woods - 7 F 11. Reeves - 7 Substitutes Substitutes D 7. Boshell (50) - 6 F 10. Sugden (58) - 5 12. Kelly 13. Walsh 14. Futcher 12. Hewitt 13. Pointon 14. Armstrong 15. Wilkinson 16. Barrett *Players ranked from 4 (lowest) to 10 (highest) Referee: K. A. Leach

Fans that attend the reserves games often and who have seen the youngster in action will be scratching their heads in disbelieve if he does move on because he's a very good player. If somebody asked us to name those in the ranks that would more than likely come through, Murphy would have been one in our opinion. Steve McMahon, the manager of Blackpool, is hoping that he can persuade Murphy to join his side, should he leave Liverpool.

Chesterfield may be doomed to relegation but they showed they are more than willing to go down fighting with a 2-1 away win over Oldham. It was only their sixth win in a miserable season and a young Oldham side - with an average age 22 - could have no argument at the result. The Latics went in front after 15 minutes when a quick throw from keeper David Miskelly ended with Steve Whitehall shooting home his 11th goal of the season. But the Spireites bounced back to stun the home side with two goals before the break. Ryan Williams equalised in the 29th minute when he cut inside from the right to let fly from 20 yards out. Then Oldham suffered more agony from the 43rd minute when Chesterfield took the lead. This time Williams turned provider for Roger Willis to neatly flick in his perfect cross at the near post.

Bristol City overcame their Wembley disappointment by holding on for their seventh away win of the season at Luton. Two days after losing at Stoke in the final of the Auto Windscreens Shield, City overturned the Hatters 2-1. Scott Murray put them ahead with a brilliant chip from the edge of the box after 28 minutes, but Luton fought back strongly in the second half and City were indebted to a mixture of good saves by Billy Mercer and substandard finishing by the Hatters. Mickey Bell doubled City's lead on 77 minutes but within a minute Gary Doherty replied for Luton.  That set up a grandstand finish with City defending in numbers to hang on to the points.