19th October 2000  

Carss fit for Cobbler's

ASTHMATIC striker Craig Dudley can breathe new life into Athletic’s season, manager Andy Ritchie predicted last night. After the red-hot 21-year-old hit a superb double to sink Wycombe, Ritchie insisted he could go on improving. “If he carries on with this form, he will become a force to be reckoned with,” said a delighted Ritchie. “We have talked about his positional play and putting pressure on the last man and, last night, he did it extremely well.” Thanks to three goals in two games, Dudley is now Athletic’s joint-top scorer with Canadian international Carlo Corazzin. He was recently diagnosed with a breathing difficulty caused by exercise. But his response has been to inspire two wins in two games. Ritchie reasoned: “Knowing what the problem is might have helped him. It could be a weight off his mind to know what’s wrong and be able to sort it out.” 

But the manager refused to get carried away by his side’s surge in form, adding: “Although it’s great to have a couple of wins, we haven’t turned any corners. “We have looked solid, but the tempo we are playing at will be very hard to keep up. “We have changed one or two things to our advantage, and the biggest difference is that we can now play two wide men. “David Eyres and Neil Adams have been around for a long time and they know where to go in a game. They have given us balance. “We looked very comfortable against Wycombe. Craig took his goals well and you couldn’t criticise any part of the performance. “I was very pleased with the lads, but we have only taken two steps on the ladder to recovery.” Tony Carss took a blow to the knee last night and could be doubtful for Saturday’s trip to Northampton. The midfielder, who has quickly established himself at the club, will be assessed over the next 24 hours. 

WHAT a difference a week makes. After their abysmal display at Rotherham recently, Athletic were languishing without a win in 10 games and there were few signs of light at the end of the tunnel. Two games and six points later, they have seen that light and are running towards it with encouraging speed. Last night’s victory over Wycombe brought a show of commitment and composure, not to mention the confidence which is gradually being restored. Athletic’s all-round strength was far too much for the visitors, who battled all the way but were out-thought and outclassed in every department. Once again, Craig Dudley was the hero, confirming his status as the new darling of Boundary Park. Dudley’s goals capped a terrific performance from the youngster and helped his side to their first-ever win against Wycombe, at the fifth attempt. But this was a team effort, and defensive power is an equally important factor in Athletic’s rise from the bottom four. It may have gone relatively unnoticed, but Mark Innes was foot-perfect at left-back — where does this leave the talented but frustrating Andrew Holt? 

With David Eyres and Tony Carss added to midfield, Athletic’s passing has also acquired a new sense of direction. Before Saturday’s game against Swindon, they were having spells of possession but creating only a handful of chances. For the most part, their football took them down blind alleys, if it took them anywhere at all. Now they are consistently causing problems where it matters and Wycombe often had to scramble their way to safety as bodies piled into the box. Another key to Athletic’s improvement has been their shape, which is better defined and, at the moment, seems to suit the new players. The width provided by Eyres and Neil Adams not only leaves opposing defences stretched out, it also helps Athletic to press the man on the ball. In turn, they have forced mistakes from their last two opponents — and, in Dudley, have boasted just the man to exploit them. It has been an eventful few days for the 21-year-old, who discovered he had asthma before scoring and being sent off against Swindon. Last night, there were two more goals, another man-of-the-match award and a second standing ovation in three days. There was never any doubt that Dudley had pace and potential, just a question over the way he used them and, more recently, his stamina.

In his current form, he could be a major force over the coming weeks — and his asthma isn’t even being treated yet. Fifth-placed Wycombe could have led within the first three minutes as Andy Rammell controlled the ball in the area before shooting too close to Gary Kelly. It was a warning heeded by Athletic and, after defender Paul McCarthy was booked for a prop forward’s tackle on Dudley, Carlo Corazzin headed over the resulting free-kick. Athletic went one better in the 12th minute with the goal which proved that Dudley’s strike against Swindon has worked wonders for his game. It was a gift from the visitors, whose left-back Chris Vinnicombe sold ’keeper Martin Taylor short with a backpass. Taylor managed to smother Adams’ initial effort, but Dudley was as cool and calculating as you like as he chipped the rebound over the goalkeeper from 16 yards. Wycombe weren’t communicating at the back, and Vinnicombe came dangerously close to an own goal from Dudley’s cross two minutes later. With the malaise spreading through his side, manager Lawrie Sanchez patrolled the touchline like a commando in camel hair. But it wasn’t working and Athletic’s purposeful passing kept the visitors pinned back. Wycombe’s only real threat came from Jermaine McSporran’s electrifying pace, which forged a good chance for Michael Simpson in the 39th minute. Simpson had plenty of time to pick his spot after McSporran’s long run, but the shot was blazed over to give dominant Athletic an escape.

There was another in first-half injury time when Kelly reacted quickly to make a fine save from Stewart Castledine. And McSporran linked up with Mo Harkin just after the break, only for the finish once again to disappoint. Athletic’s own speed merchant, Dudley, broke on to an Innes header for Athletic, but he couldn’t beat Taylor with his weaker left foot. Corazzin also went close just before the hour mark as his back header from an Adams free-kick — again awarded for a scything challenge on Dudley — drifted just past the post. Corazzin missed again soon after, his volley bouncing over the bar from Eyres’ inviting centre.

The Canadian is having a bad time in front of goal, just the opposite of Dudley, who doubled Athletic’s lead in style after 72 minutes. Defender Scott McNiven made the opening with a sharp tackle from the right-back berth which sent Dudley racing through the middle. He outstripped the last defender, stayed on his feet despite a tap on the ankles and slotted his shot neatly into the corner. Another job well done. Athletic’s next task is to rediscover this kind of form on their travels.

DEFENDER Jordan Tait has joined Darlington on a free transfer after managing only one league appearance for Athletic. Tait (21) looked to have a bright future at Boundary Park, but a string of injuries prevented him from living up to the early promise. Tait was given a two-year contract when Ruud Gullit released him from Newcastle and he immediately showed an excellent, hard-working attitude. Useful form in the reserves earned him a quick call to senior duty, but that was as good as it got. After coming on as a substitute against Stockport in the Worthington Cup, Tait made a 14-minute appearance at Oxford — still the only league action of his career. He then had groin and hernia problems before manager Andy Ritchie, who is trying to wheel and deal his way to a stronger squad, decided to offload him.

Ritchie explained: “Jordan wasn’t looking bad, but he was unlucky with injuries and wasn’t going to get into the first team. “We managed to sort him out elsewhere and we wish him well because he is a dedicated lad. He was always first out for extra training.” Darlington signed Tait, who can play in either full-back position, until the end of the season. Athletic covered themselves with a sell-on clause and will take a cut of any future transfer fee. Darlington also recruited Paul Beavers earlier this season, while Stuart Thom went to Scunthorpe and Steve Whitehall is likely to join Chester in the next few days. There could well be more departures in the coming weeks as Ritchie’s squad has been growing rapidly since the start of the season. In the last month alone, Barry Prenderville, Chris Lightfoot, Paul Smith, Mark Watson, David Eyres and Tony Carss have all made their debuts. Lightfoot and Smith have since returned to their clubs, but numbers will have to be cut again before Ritchie has his next spree.

Teamtalk Oldham

Jordan Tait has left Boundary Park and joined Third Division side Darlington on a free transfer. The 21-year-old has made the switch to Feethams but the Latics have insisted on a sell-on clause which will give them a cut of any transfer fee if he moves on.
It was reported last week that the player had joined Darlo on loan - a move which now appears to have been made permanent by the two clubs. Tait arrived at the start of last season after being released by Newcastle United but suffered a string of injuries and made only one league appearance for the Latics. The defender has linked up again with former team-mate Paul Beavers, who joined Darlington earlier in the season. Elsewhere, another player still considering his future is Steve Whitehall. The veteran striker has been offered a two-and-a-half-year contract with Chester but has yet to make up his mind. Whitehall has been on a month's loan with the Conference outfit and that ends on Saturday so a decision on his future is imminent.

The Latics face an anxious wait on the fitness of Tony Carss ahead of the game against Northampton at the weekend. The Latics new boy got a knock on his knee after a collision with team-mate Mark Hotte in Tuesday night's win over Wycombe. He managed to finish the 90 minutes but the joint swelled up later and he is now under treatment. Carss has been a major influence in his two games for the club which have both ended in victories. Boss Andy Ritchie described his performance on Tuesday night as "exceptional" and it will be a massive blow if he is sidelined for any length of time.

Oldham Athletic are said to be giving a trial to former Glasgow Rangers player Levi Stevens. Stevens, who has also played with Australian side, Parramatta has joined the Boundary Park outfit and could make his switch permanent if he impresses Andy Ritchie.

The Latics have finally clawed their way out of the bottom four for the first time in eight games after a 2-0 win over Wycombe on Tuesday night. Tuesday night's 2-0 win against high-flying Wycombe at Boundary Park catapulted them to 19th place -- two above the relegation zone. Craig Dudley was the hero and he grabbed two goals to take his tally to three for the season and is now the joint top-scorer. Earlier in the season the player, who has just been told he has asthma, couldn't get into the side because of doubts over his fitness but he has now become the darling of Boundary Park and boss Andy Ritchie would be lynched if he left him out. The Latics chief explained: "Craig hadn't been able to sustain the whole of a game but he now looks a lot fitter. "It might be a weight off his mind now he knows what is wrong with him and if he keeps learning lessons then he is going to be a force to be reckoned with." Ritchie was delighted with another three points an added: "It is two steps on the ladder to recovery and we looked very comfortable again. "Everybody worked extremely hard and we need to keep the tempo going." 

Official Latics Web Site

The club have now received international clearance for Faroe Island international midfielder Ossur Hansen which will allow him to play in Reserve Team games. However there was disappointment for Ossur when Latics Manchester Senior Cup tie against Bury scheduled to take place at Boundary Park tonight Wednesday 18th was postponed.
 

GARNETT IN THE CLEAR

Contrary to reports in the press defender Shaun Garnett will not miss the Luton Town game next Tuesday because of suspension. Garnett has collected six yellow cards this season, two of them in the game at Wrexham which counts as one red, and therefore his running total of yellows at present is four. He will receive a one match ban if he reaches five yellow cards which, in view of his robust style, is likely to be sooner rather than later. Craig Dudley however will miss the Bristol Rovers game on the 28th October because of his two yellow cards against Swindon.

Manager Andy Ritchie said: 'I'm pleased for Craig and he took his goals very well. "This was another good performance but two wins in a week are only the first steps on the road to recovery." Ironically, Wycombe should have led within three minutes as Andy Rammell brought down the ball before allowing goalkeeper Gary Kelly to save his miss-directed shot. Oldham punished the error after 12 minutes when Dudley hit his first of the night , a gift from the visitors. Left-back Chris Vinnicombe sold his goalkeeper short with a backpass and,although Martin Taylor managed to block Neil Adams, Dudley calmly chipped the ball into an empty net from the edge of the box. Wycombe's only real threat came from pacey but erratic striker Jermaine McSporran, who set up a good chance for Michael Simpson after 39 minutes.

Simpson had time and space in front of goal but blasted his shot into the stand. Wycombe's finishing let them down twice more either side of the break as Kelly showed quick reactions to thwart Stewart Castledine and McSporran. Oldham also missed chances through Dudley and Carlo Corazzin before Dudley made the game safe. He ran onto Scott McNiven 's raking pass, sped into the visitor's penalty area and slipped a neat shot into the far corner

Wycombe Wanderers Official Web Site

Tuesday 17th October 2000 - Boundary Park
Nationwide Football League Division Two
Match status		Full-time
Oldham Athletic	2	Wycombe Wanderers	0
Dudley 12, 72
Half-time	1-0	Attendance:	3,496
Wycombe: Taylor, Rogers, Vinnicombe, McCarthy, Bates, Castledine (sub 61 Ryan), Simpson, Brown (sub 76 Senda), Harkin (sub 61 Lee), McSporran, Rammell subs not used: Cousins, Brady
Oldham: Kelly, McNiven, Garnett, Duxbury, Innes, Dudley (sub 87 Allott), Hotte, Adams, Corazzin, Eyres, Carss subs not used: Miskelly, Holt, Boshell, Watson
Referee: M Jones		Away following (200 approx.)

Wycombe went down to a disappointing 2-0 defeat at a wet and windy Boundary Park. The Blues started with the same line-up that lost at Reading the previous Saturday but apart from a brief spell shortly before half-time were out played by the home side. After seeing Andy Rammell go close early on, Wycombe fell behind in the 12th minute when Chris Vinnicombe under hit a backpass to Martin Taylor that Neil Adams intercepted. Taylor saved from Adams but Craig Dudley was on hand to snap up the chance to put the home side ahead. A disjointed Wycombe defence were in more disarray in the 17th minute when Dudley crossed from the left. Vinnicombe then seemed to panic at the far post with a short back pass to Taylor that put the Wycombe 'keeper under pressure before the ball was hacked away. Wycombe relied on the pace of McSporran up front to create openings and in the 33rd minute a ball forward by Brown found 'Jocky' down the left but after flicking the ball over the on coming Kelly, the ball skidded out of play on the wet surface. With five minutes left of the first half McSporran unselfishly laid the ball across the face of goal to Michael Simpson but his attempted lob went a yard high of the target. Simpson also had a hand in the last action of the half when his through ball found Stewart Castledine but the ex-Wimbledon man's shot from 15 yards was blocked. 
Half-time Oldham 1 Wycombe 0 
McSporran saw another chance well saved by Kelly two minutes into the second half but it was the pace of Dudley up front that continued to cause Wycombe problems. In the 49th minute Dudley forced a good save from Taylor at his near post as the ex-England Youth International got the better of Paul McCarthy down the Oldham left. Oldham's free summer signing from Northampton, Carlo Corazzin, also saw efforts go marginally wide as Wycombe struggled to gel up front. Even a double substitution by Wycombe just after the hour mark failed to change the course of the game and it was the home side that sealed their second successive victory in the 72nd minute. It was Dudley again who was the cause of the problems, getting the better of Bates before slotting past Taylor from the edge of the Wycombe penalty area. It was too much for Wycombe to pull back as they suffered their first defeat in four visits to Boundary Park.

ATHLETIC are confident Tony Carss will be declared fit for Saturday's league match at Northampton. The midfield player took a knock to his knee in Tuesday's home win against Wycombe Wanderers. Initially, it was feared new-boy Carss would be a doubt for the visit to Sixfields Stadium. Manager Andy Ritchie was more upbeat today, however, saying he expects Carss to feature. After beating Swindon and Wycombe within the space of three days to move out of the bottom four, Ritchie hardly surprisingly wants to keep a settled side. Ritchie says he does not envisage making changes and hopes his side can rediscover its form on the road. Having won eight league matches on their travels last season, Athletic are still waiting for their first success after six so-far fruitless attempts. Athletic have picked up only two points away from Boundary Park and face a Northampton side unbeaten at home in the league this season.