27th August 2000
27th August 2000 The Latics never recovered from being hit by a double blast midway through the first half. The first goal came in the 27th minute and was down to pure speed. David Farrell skinned full-back Paul Jones down the left before putting in a perfect cross. The Oldham defence failed to cut out the danger and Andy Clarke was left with a free header eight yards out. The Latics were still trying to recover when they were stunned again in the 28th minute. Yet another raid down the left exposed the home sides defensive frailty and Francis Green took full advantage with a diving header which again left keeper Gary Kelly without hope. Ritchie threw on his substitutes to try to change things round and it worked in some way when Wales Under 21 striker Matthew Tipton gave Oldham some hope when he pulled a goal back with nine minutes to go.
But it proved to be a false dawn and the nightmare continued. Paul Jones who just couldn’t put a foot right handed back the initiative to the posh when he carelessly dragged the ball into his own net. The rout was completed in injury time when substitute Guy Whittingham put the ball past the despairing Kelly who, like the rest of the players will quickly want to put this performance out of their thoughts.
Sport.com
Promoted Peterborough stepped up on their superb early season form with a four-star display at Boundary Park.Hapless Oldham were torn apart on the break by Barry Fry's dynamic forwards, especially David Farrell, who played a part in each one of their goals. Fry was delighted and hopes his team, the surprise of the season so far in division two, will now be given a more recognition. He said: "The lads don't get the credit they deserve. That was an outstanding display with some magnificent performances." Ironically Oldham almost took the lead through Carlo Corazzin, who turned cleverly after a Paul Jones header and forced visiting keeper Mark Tyler to save with his legs. But the clearest opening fell to Posh after twelve minutes when Richie Hanlon was left unmarked but fluffed his header from just six yards.
Their was a lack of end product from both teams until Peterborough delivered their first breakaway goal after 27 minutes. Farrell set off on a superb 80-yard run and charged deep into the Oldham area. His turn of pace left Oldham short of numbers and Andy Clarke had plenty of time in the middle to sidefoot home from six yards when the cross picked him out. The visitors struck again a minute later, again with Farrell as their inspiration. He swung over a cross from the left and Francis Green sent a flying header inside the near post from eight yards. It could have been 3-0 before the break as Hanlon headed wastefully over but Simon Rea denied Oldham with a clearance when Allott's header was set to creep in. Peterborough looked to close out the game and Oldham did not have a clear chance until the 81st minute when Tyler could not claim a left-wing cross and, when it was headed back across goal, Matthew Tipton tapped in from virtually on the line.
But Peterborough's response was lightening fast and they re-established their two-goal lead within three minutes. Farrell cut in for an angled shot and Paul Jones, in trying to clear the danger, diverted the ball into his own net. Oldham's misery was complete in stoppage time when Guy Whittingham marked his debut on loan from Portsmouth with the fourth. Clarke raced through and despite Gary Kelly's initial save Whittingham was on hand to put away the rebound.
Millwall finished with nine men and a 2-1 home defeat by Wycombe, who also remain unbeaten. Neil Harris scored for the Lions after 10 minutes but Andy Baird and Danny Bulman had already put Wanderers in front before Dave Livermore was sent off for a second yellow card in the 72nd minute. Steve Reid was given the same treatment five minutes from time.
Barry Fry's Peterborough thumped Oldham 4-1 at Boundary Park, Andy Clarke and Francis Green putting them two up in the first half hour. Matt Tipton pulled one back for the Latics but a Paul Jones own goal and a Guy Whittingham special kept the Posh up with the leaders.
Stoke got a shock when Notts County's Mark Stallard struck in the 86th minute to hand them a 1-0 home defeat and newly-promoted Rotherham were also beaten on their own ground, 2-1 by Bury. The Shakers led through Indian international Baichung Bhutia and although the Millers levelled just before the break with Robert Scott's goal Adrian Littlejohn made it a miserable week for Ronnie Moore's men.
Andy Liddell put Wigan in front after 34 minutes and Wrexham's Craig Faulconbridge was sent off for foul and abusive language a minute later with Wigan's Paul Mitchell following for a professional foul in the 72nd minute. Simon Haworth and Arjan De Zeeuw added the goals in a 3-1 win.
Swansea are still without a win or a goal after a 2-0 home defeat by Colchester with Lumana Lua-Lua netting both while Brentford staved off a club record when they won 1-0 at Oxford to end a streak of 15 games without a win - Tony Folan the hero.
Jamie Forrester bagged a brace as Northampton beat Reading 2-0 at Sixfields while Cambridge were 1-0 winners over Bristol City and Luton beat Bournemouth by the same margin.
Both victories came courtesy of spot kicks - Paul Wanless at the Abbey Stadium and Matt Spring at Kenilworth Road.