Reserves beat Trotter's

ATHLETIC strikers Mark Allott and Matthew Tipton last night both staked a claim to Craig Dudley's first-team place. Dudley's one-match suspension for Saturday's match at Bristol Rovers looks likely to open the door for either Allott or Tipton. The pair did their chances no harm by each scoring in the reserves' 3-0 victory against Bolton, with Andrew Holt also on target. Andy Ritchie was pleased with the displays of both Allott and Tipton, but the Athletic manager says he has still to decide who will partner Carlo Corazzin at Bristol Rovers. Ritchie will also have to make a change in defence with Mark Hotte possibly out for a month with a broken hand. Again Ritchie has no shortage of options with Holt, Paul Jones and Ben Futcher possible replacements.

Paul Rickers will also be in Saturday's squad after recovering from a gashed leg. The midfielder, who played for an hour in the reserves last night, had been named in the pool of players for Tuesday's match against Luton which was postponed. Rickers has played two reserve-team matches and been training for a fortnight and Ritchie considers him fully fit. The availability of Rickers will increase competition for places in midfield where John Sheridan remains a long-term absentee.

TEAMtalk Oldham

Matthew Tipton and Mark Allott are battling against each other for a first team recall for Saturday's game against Bristol Rovers.
Craig Dudley misses the game whilst he sits out a one-match ban and Andy Ritchie still hasn't decided who will partner Carlo Corazzin. Both strikers were in fine form for the reserves this week and Ritchie has a difficult choice to make. Allott, who has yet to produce the form which made him last season's joint top scorer is probably the favourite. He is more adept at holding up the ball and his greater experience is likely to count in his favour. Meanwhile Ritchie will be forced to make a change at the heart of the defence. Mark Hotte is out with a broken right hand and so Andrew Holt, Paul Jones and Ben Futcher will all come under consideration to fill his boots. Paul Rickers also looks set for a return after recovering from a badly gashed thigh. Rickers made his comeback in last two reserve games and is now ready for senior action. He said: "I haven't decided yet who to bring in and I may even leave it until the day of the game."
 
 

The Latics' second string were in action on Wednesday night when they took on and defeated Bolton by a convincing 3-0 scoreline. The game was played at Leigh RMI's Hilton Park ground and the Latics turned in a fine display. Matthew Tipton provided the cross for Mark Allott to head home the first after 29 minutes. Tipton then had a 50th minute penalty saved but the Latics increased their lead two minutes later when Andrew Holt forced the ball home following Danny Boshell's free kick. Then in the 58th minute Tipton rounded off a fine performance when he hammered home a close range shot to seal the points. Andy Ritchie watched the game saying: "They all played very well and the result was never in doubt." The only downside was an injury to young Ryan Sugden who jumped for a header, missed and twisted his ankle as he landed awkwardly on the sodden ground. 

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Latics Reserves had a comfortable 3-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers last night at Hilton Park, Leigh.

Latics were always in control and were rarely troubled by the Trotters although the host did hit the woodwork twice.

Latics were able to afford the luxury of missing a second half penalty without it affecting their chances of winning this game.

After missing three excellent chances of taking the lead, Allott and Boshell twice being the culprits, Allott made amends midway through the first half as he planted an excellent header past the Trotters keeper from a cross by Tipton.

Ten minutes later Danny Walsh was clear with only the keeper to beat but saw his effort expertly saved.

Five minutes into the second period Tipton was fouled in the box and he took the penalty himself with the keeper making a smart save to his left. But the Trotters joy was short lived as Andy Holt volleyed home from 8 yards from Danny Boshell's free kick.

Tipton made amends for his penalty miss by firing home from close range just three minutes later as Ben Smith's right wing cross proved too difficult for the Trotters defence to cope with.

Over all an excellent performance from the youngsters in which Faroe Island trialist Ossur Hansen played the second period on the left of mid field and Paul Rickers continued his come-back after injury with 60 minutes of action.

Right-back Bignot had been ever-present this season until he was forced to miss Tuesday's 2-1 defeat at Colchester with a stomach bug.

Wilson, who has operated mainly in the left-back berth, has been forced to sit out the last two games after damaging ankle ligaments against Rotherham last week.

Both are rated almost certain to be available for the Latics game by physio Phil Kite, although Rovers still face a wait to see if marksman Ellington will have recovered from a knee injury in time.

The youngster is the club's leading scorer with six goals so far this season and Rovers hope a cortisone injection will help to settle down the niggling problem that has troubled the 19-year-old in recent weeks.

He suffered the knock in the game at Bury early this month and it kept him out of the following match against Northampton.

And although the former Walton and Hersham player then returned to the fray for the Rotherham game, it flared up again to keep him out of last weekend's win at Swindon and this week's trip to Layer Road.

"It's been frustrating for Nathan because he's not been that far away from being able to play, but he wants to feel the knee is right before he goes back into action," said Kite. "We hope the cortisone jab will help and we'll have another look at him tomorrow.

"Marcus Bignot is still feeling a bit weak after suffering some sickness but should be OK for the weekend, and Che Wilson is also making good progress."

That is encouraging news for boss Ian Holloway, who believes the rash of changes he has been forced to make over recent games has contributed heavily to some inconsistent performances from the side.

Ellington's return would add welcome options up front after Rovers wasted a string of good chances at Colchester.If fit, he would put loan signing Danny Allsopp's place in the starting line-up under pressure.

Rovers had more players taking another step on the road to first-team contention in last night's reserve team game against rivals Bristol City at the Memorial Stadium, which ended in a 0-0 draw.

David Hillier, who gained his first taste of senior action this season when he came off the bench at Swindon, impressed in midfield and may be pushing for a weekend recall.

And Scottish striker Martin Cameron also looked lively up front and was one of two players to rattle City's woodwork.