23rd November 2000  

Fine win at Edgeley Park

ATHLETIC’S competition for defensive places is intensifying. Paul Jones, who has recently been out of favour, produced an outstanding display in last night’s 3-2 reserve-team win at Stockport. Mark Hotte could also be knocking on the first-team door once again. He was a regular until four games ago when he broke his hand. But, with the aid of a specially-made protective cast, Hotte is able to play again. There was further good news on the defensive front with Barry Prenderville returning after an eight-week absence because of a knee injury. Athletic were also boosted last night when John Sheridan played the full 90 minutes. The influential midfield player has not featured since the opening match of the season because of a knee injury. Athletic’s competition for front places could also be keener than ever. 

Ryan Sugden, whose career has been interrupted by injury and illness, scored two goals last night and looked lively. But, with Carlo Corazzin, Craig Dudley, Mark Allott and Matthew Tipton also vying for front places, Sugden will need to keep scoring to nudge ahead of them in the pecking order. Manager Andy Ritchie could be forced to make one alteration to his squad for Saturday’s home game with in-form Millwall. Phil Salt, a substitute last weekend, suffered a foot injury last night. Danny Boshell also received a knock to his knee, though Ritchie is hopeful neither is too serious. 

Teamtalk Oldham

John Sheridan continued his comeback in last night's reserve clash against Stockport County at Edgeley Park. The veteran midfielder completed the full 90 minutes, the first time that he has done that since the opening fixture of the season. It was the former Republic of Ireland international's third run-out since undergoing knee surgery, having been out for three months.

Phil Salt and Danny Boshell picked up knocks during last night's second string match against Stockport County. Salt has a foot injury while Boshell is limping with a knock on the knee which he initially picked up in training. Both players have been on the substitutes bench in recent first team games and now face a battle to be ready in time for the visit of high-flying Millwall on Saturday.

The Latics second string beat their Stockport counterparts 3-2 at Edgeley Park last night. The win ensures the reserves remain in the top four of the Avon Insurance Premier League. And there was no doubt that the victory was well deserved. Young Ryan Sugden, who is coming into top form, grabbed a couple while Andrew Holt was also on target. The Latics, who included 12 players with first team experience in their squad, took an early lead but County hit back straight away. Oldham then went 2-1 up, only for County to level once more. The home side, who threw on three subs, began to apply intense pressure on the Oldham goal as they pushed for a third strike. In response coach Tony Philliskirk changed the system from a 3-5-3 to a more unorthodox 4-3-1-2, with Danny Walsh stepping into the hole behind the front two. It was designed to stop County breaking through and it worked a treat, paying off almost immediately with Sugden crashing home the winning goal. It was the reserves fourth straight win and if they keep it up they will soon be challenging for a top-of-the table spot. Andy Ritchie said: "It was a very pleasing and well deserved win, with some good individual performances."

Stockport County.com

A goal from Ryan Sugden with just ten minutes maintained Oldham's 100% away record this season after a five-goal thriller at Edgeley Park on Wednesday night (Oct 22). Until then County, after a magnificent equaliser from substitute Phil Carratt on 62 minutes, looked as though they could go on and claim their first win of the season. But it was Sugden who would have the final word when he scored from close range following good work down the right by Paul Jones, a trialist with County in 1997. In a highly-entertaining game County took the lead through Colin Woodthorpe just after the half-hour. Ben Johnson crossed from the left to the far side of the penalty area, Brian Carrigan headed the ball back across the box and Woodthorpe placed his header beyond Irish international 'keeper David Miskelly.

The Latics response was swift and decisive and two quick goals from Sugden and Andrew Holt gave them a half-time advantage. Carratt's goal could well earn him a place in Andy Kilner's squad for Saturday's trip to Crystal Palace. He received the ball from Layton Maxwell, turned Mark Hotte inside out and then curled a peach of a shot just inside Miskelly's right-hand post. It should have earned his team a point but Sugden's late strike left County firmly rooted in bottom place in the table.

County: Jones; Briggs, Johnson (Rowley), Larsson, Clare, Brynglesson, Carrigan (Carratt), Woodthorpe, Lawson, Maxwell, Matthews (Wild).
Subs not used: Turner, Hennessy.

Attendance: 213.