Welcome
to today's issue of
BOUNDARY
BULLET-zine
The
Daily On-line e-zine for Oldham Athletic Supporters Worldwide
Today's
Edition for
23rd August 1999
Today's Headlines
Michael Yarwood of the Oldham
Evening Chronicle writes, CAPTAIN
Lee Duxbury is a major doubt for Athletic's Worthington Cup rescue mission
against Stockport after being laid low by ill-ness. Duxbury was forced
to pull out of the defeat by Burnley on Saturday and, along with his wife
and children, is still suffering from a stomach bug. He was ill into the
early hours of Saturday morning, his resistance having been lowered by
a bout of tonsillitis. The
inspirational midfield man trained today, but manager Andy Ritchie admitted:
"He is at low ebb and doesn't Iook very well. Duxbury, who had previously
missed only one match since be last October, will not be risked in tomorrow's
cup tie unless he has fully recovered. His absence was keenley felt against
Burnley, but Ritchie believes getting him fit for the league game at Oxford
next weekend takes a higher priority. Athletic
go into the first round, second-leg tie chasing a 2-0 deficit from Edgeley
Park. They have now gone four games without a goal and, though Ritchie
will be aiming for victory, it would be no surprise if he used the match
to experiment with his squad. One option under consideration is a return
to the sweeper system favoured last season. Scott McNiven could switch
from right back to become one of three central defenders, with Paul Rickers
reverting to wing-back and Phil Salt playing in midfield.
lain Swan may be given a chance at
the heart of defence, new signing Jordan Tait win be considered and veteran
midfielder John Sheridan could be rested in preparation for league matches
to come. Up front, there could be a first start for 18-year-old Ryan Sugden
as Paul Beavers still looks well short of his best. One man who looks sure
to play is striker David McNiven, whose return from long-term injury was
one of few bright spots in Saturday's game. Craig Dudley, who joined Chesterfield
last week on a one-month loan, was an unused substitute in their 4-2 victory
over Cambridge.
Teamtalk
Oldham
Boss keeps
stun
Andy Ritchie kept his players locked in
the dressing room for an hour after Saturday's game but later refused to
criticise his players. He emerged from the dressing room to comment: "I
am not going to slag them off in public, but they know that performance
just wasn't enough. We have talked about it and that is it." Had it not
been for the heroics of keeper Gary Kelly, who pulled off a string of fine
saves, the Latics could so easily have been hit for six.
Stockport on
Tuesday
Andy Ritchie is set to ring the changes
for the Worthington Cup game against Stockport, David McNiven is doubtful
for the game. Following the disappointment of the weekend defeat against
Burnley, Andy Ritchie is promising changes for the game against County.
After all, the Latics are 2-0 down from the first leg, have nothing to
lose and need to go in search of goals, which won't be easy given that
the Latics have yet to score this season.
Unfortunately, David McNiven is doubtful
for the game with an sore foot. He took a knock on his foot during the
game against Burnley which is causing considerable soreness, though he
is expected to recover. The 20 year old striker was the most impressive
player on Saturday as he made his comeback after eight months on the sidelines
with ankle ligament damage.
Yahoo Football
Oldham
Old boy in action
A former Latics star will be back in action
in the Home Nations 6-a-side tournament to be held in Manchester on Wednesday,
September 1. Willie Donnachie has been included in the Scotland squad to
take on ex-professionals from England, Ireland and Wales at the Manchester
Evening News arena.Kick-off 7pm.
Burnley CitizenCooke
blow sparks Clarets striker crisis
CLARETS boss Stan Ternent is facing
a worrying striker shortage after Andy Cooke's hamstring injury took the
gloss off a superb win at Oldham Athletic. Burnley now face a spell of
four games in 12 days with Cooke likely to miss them all. And potential
replacement Alan Lee will also be absent for the games at Bristol Rovers
next Monday and at home to Bournemouth on Friday week because of international
commitments with the Republic of Ireland under-21s. "
Andy's got a hamstring injury and won't
be available for a week or two," Ternent confirmed today. "They're the
sort of things we can do without, but we've got them so we'll have to get
on with it." Cooke was back in the starting line-up against Oldham after
a knee problem and his return to the injured list is a blow for Burnley,
who chalked up their second successive win thanks to Andy Payton's first-half
goal.
"If we had got two it would have killed
it off and we would have maybe gone on to get more. "But we would have
settled for a 1-0 before we came and it keeps the run going so we're all
happy," said Payton. "The Manchester City game was a big disappointment
to everyone but it's the League that counts really and with seven points
from three games, you can't knock it," added the striker, who has quickly
got into his stride in his quest for another 20-goal campaign. "You know
what my targets are for the season and it's another step in that direction
for my targets and for the team. "We are delighted to win and see us at
the other end of the table for a change. Hopefully we can stay there this
season. The fans were brilliant again and I'm pleased for them as well."
Ternent was equally happy with the
outcome after his side played their best football of the season to date
to go fourth in Division Two. "I'm happy with the start we've made but
one swallow doesn't make a summer. There are 43 games to go yet. "But it's
not an easy place to come and we did create a lot chances. "We played some
very good stuff and I think we were deserved winners," said Ternent. "We
got a little bit stretched in the second half from time to time. I would
like us to improve a little on that but really we dominated the game.
"But for all our superiority on chances
one goal is never comfortable so we needed another to kill them off. "There's
plenty of room for improvement, the lads are well aware of that, but on
Saturday they did Burnley Football Club proud. "All-in-all it was a good
performance from the players and I'm pleased for them. But we will get
better."
From the PRESS ASSOCIATION LATICS
BOSS UNDER NO ILLUSIONS
23 August
Oldham boss Andy Ritchie knows his
men face a tall order if they are to turn their Worthington Cup first round
tie against Stockport around after the 2-0 reverse in the first leg. Latics
are having problems in attack and have yet to score this season and the
manager will have to decide on his striking line-up with David McNiven,
Paul Beavers and Mark Allott vying for the starting places. Ian McLean
should retain his place at left-back following his return after a nine
month absence.Ritchie said: "We are not hurting sides by finishing them
off. It is up front where we are losing games because we can't hit the
back of the net. "We have got to start giving the lads in defence something
to hang on to."
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