21st October 1999 

Reserves win
BP to be Housing Estate?

ATHLETIC'S injury crisis deepened still further today when promising defender Jordan Tait was ruled out for at least a month. 

The former Newcastle full-back aggravated a groin problem playing for the reserves last night and could even need a hernia operation. Tait (19) has impressed both with his form and his exemplary attitude since signing as a free agent two months ago. He has been a regular member of the first-team squad and, with fellow defenders Shaun Garnett and Stuart Thom already long-term absentees, was needed as cover by manager Andy Ritchie. Tait joins Garnett, Thom, Phil Salt and David McNiven as men who will definitely miss Saturday's home game against Reading. John Sheridan is still struggling with 'flu, while Paul Beavers, who made his competitive comeback last night, remains well short of full fitness. 

Ritchie explained: "Jordan has had trouble with his groin, but it settled down after an injection. "Then something went last night and a lump came up which makes me think it could be quite serious. "We're hoping he will get to see the specialist quickly and that it's nothing more than a tear. "We're keeping our fingers crossed that it isn't a hernia because we're getting down to the bare bones now, especially at the back." Athletic will not be signing trialist Ossur Hansen, even though Ritchie has been impressed with the Faroe Islands international. Hansen, who has 38 caps, may be asked to return when Athletic are eventually taken over and, in theory at least, more funds are available. The manager said: "Ossur did very well. He has a great left foot and is very tricky.

"If we had plenty of money we would give him a chance. But, at the moment, someone has to be absolutely outstanding for us to think about keeping him — and even then we'd be struggling." Chelmsford City, who visit Boundary Park in the FA Cup first round, are likely to host any replay with Athletic at nearby Colchester United. The non-league outfit are hoping the police will allow them to stay at the ground they rent from Billericay, but the capacity of only 3,000 will probably rule that out. 

Latics' ground could become housing estate

BOUNDARY Park could become a housing estate if plans for Oldham's new sports stadium are moved to a site away from Clayton playing fields. Oldham Council has shelved proposals for any other development on the football ground site if the Sports Park 2000 scheme fails to get the go-ahead. 

Mr Keith Coates, Director of Economic Development, said: "The first and most crucial point to make is that the primary intention is to use the Boundary Park site as a replacement for the playing area lost through the building of the new stadium. "If for any reason that development doesn't go ahead at the Clayton site, and a new stadium is built elsewhere, then the intention would be to redevelop Boundary Park for housing. Previously there had been a consultation about the alternative use of the site." Last week, Oldham Council's joint-venture company, Hiretarget agreed to buy Boundary Park from Latics in a seven-figure deal. 

But Mr Coates denied any parallels with the Watersheddings rugby scenario, in which Hiretarget bought the ground before later selling it off for housing. Mr Coates said comparisons were totally wide of the mark, adding: "Latics will be entering into a lease agreement for Boundary Park to afford the club security of tenure which was never the situation at Watersheddings. The only situation in which the club could be moved would be if a new stadium was provided." 

Reserves heading for cup quarter-finals

ATHLETIC RES 5, MACCLESFIELD RES 0

ATHLETIC are heading for the quarter-finals of the Pontins League Cup after a crushing win at Boundary Park last night (Wednesday). 

Having already beaten Stockport at this round-robin stage of the competition, they had few problems dispatching bad-tempered Macclesfield and should now secure their passage to the knock-out stages. For the most part, this was an entertaining game in which Paul Beavers, Matthew Tipton and midfield man Danny Boshell particularly caught the eye. 

Beavers, on his way back from injury, stood up well to a full 90 minutes despite taking some fearful stick from the Macclesfield defence. Athletic were on their way within four minutes after the visitors were opened up by Boshell's well-weighted pass. Beavers ran through and crossed for Tipton, who volleyed comfortably into an empty net. Macclesfield twice went close in reply, while Steve Whitehall and the lively Tipton both cracked in good shots at the other end. 

Beavers had a goal dubiously disallowed for offside after Tipton hit the woodwork, but Athletic went two up after 23 minutes when Boshell reacted well to head in a rebound. For all the attacking incident, the high point of the first half was a stunning point-black save by Athletic goalkeeper David Miskelly. After Macclesfield had a goal of their own erroneously ruled out, Miskelly made another fine stop to deny Damian Whitehead. The Irishman's agility meant that Athletic's third goal —another close-range header from Boshell after 50 minutes —made sure of the victory. 

Unfortunately, the frustrated visitors lost their heads and began lunging into some foolish and dangerous tackles. Karl Monroe, the chief offender, was sent off 18 minutes from time, and more could have followed him. Athletic rubbed salt in the wounds in the final eight minutes when sub Ryan Sugden struck at the far post and Tipton finished neatly for his second.