Welcome to today's issue of BOUNDARY BULLET-zine The Daily On-line e-zine for 308 Oldham Athletic Supporters Worldwide Today's Edition for

27th November 2000

Today's Headlines

Quartet for loan deal's?

Oldham Evening Chronicle Latics aim to cash in on loan deals

ATHLETIC hope to spark some hectic transfer activity this week by recruiting one player and sending up to four out on loan. Manager Andy Ritchie is keen to sign a midfield man to fill the vacancy left by Neil Adams’ knee injury. He admits he may have to bide his time, but there are several names on his wanted list and enquiries have been made. Meanwhile, some of Athletic’s fringe players could be off loaded to give them a taste of first-team football. David Miskelly, Ben Futcher, Phil Salt and Matthew Tipton will all be allowed to make short-term moves if there is interest from other clubs. Goalkeeper Miskelly has won seven Northern Ireland under-21 caps but managed only four league games for Athletic. With veteran Gary Kelly standing in the way of more senior action, both player and club want to fix up a loan spell. Futcher, a 19-year-old centre-back who stands at 6ft 5ins, broke into the squad 12 months ago but has yet to appear this season.

A queue of defenders will make it difficult to graduate from the reserves and Athletic think experience will speed up his progress. The club’s coaching staff believe that Salt (21) can become a first-team regular thanks to his passing ability and useful all-round game. The midfield man, who was hit by serious injury last season, has displaced Danny Boshell in the squad but could benefit from regular league football. And Tipton falls into the same category, even though he made his debut three years ago and has scored five times in his last 18 appearances. Thirteen of those games have been as a substitute and the transfer-listed striker -another under-21 international - is unable to cement a place. Any arrival would also be temporary but, with Adams out for at least two months, Ritchie needs an extra option on the right wing. A handful of moves were turned down last week and he is continuing a widespread search. “There are plenty of people to choose from,” the manager said. “It’s a matter of getting the right one. We won’t sign anyone for the sake of it, so it’s hard to say when there will be anything concrete.”

Latics lack a cutting edge

IF form is temporary and class permanent, Athletic have a lot of ground to make up before they become realistic candidates to escape the second division. Millwall, who were beaten in last season’s play-offs and began this term as hot tips for promotion, drove home the point on Saturday with a deserved 1-0 win. They are now top of the table and it would be no surprise if they are there again in May. Athletic, meanwhile, possessed the spirit and commitment which had seen them enjoy a major change in fortunes. But, when push came to shove, they couldn’t match their opponents’ quality and slipped back into serious danger, just one point above the relegation zone. It wasn’t that they played badly. They controlled the first half and, even when Millwall improved markedly after the break, held out for all but 11 minutes. The difference was that Athletic’s domination didn’t end in openings, never mind a goal. And, once the visitors took charge, the contrast was clear. They looked a cut above their hosts and had plenty of chances to break through before Australian midfielder Tim Cahill hit the winner from close range.

Heavy overnight rain led to a pitch inspection at 8.30am. The surface passed, but that was more than the players could do. In certain areas, it was like trying to play football on a corrugated rag pudding as the ball bobbled around and sometimes refused to reach its target. Unfortunately, as winter approaches, it’s safe to say things won’t get much better. In the circumstances, the fact that this was no thriller shouldn’t be held against either of the in-form sides. There is only so much you can do to compensate, even if you have won five games out of seven or, in Millwall’s case, lost only two out of 12. Athletic’s answer was to get the ball out wide, but service into the box was conspicuous by its absence. While Mark Allott and David Eyres are both attackers by nature, Millwall’s threat meant they often operated from too deep to make an impact. Striker Craig Dudley tried to redress the balance with runs to the flanks, but that led to a shortage of bodies in the middle. And, as the central midfield pair had to be more occupied with holding back than supporting the front men, Athletic rarely worried the visitors from their measured, organised stride. For their part, Millwall negotiated the conditions by using the height of striker Paul Moody.

Athletic’s defence did a decent job in snuffing out Moody’s threat, but his partner, Neil Harris, provided 90 minutes of menace. Unchanged Athletic made much the brighter start, with Carlo Corazzin and Tony Carss having half-chances which got stuck beneath their feet. It was already obvious that the tacky pitch would be a problem as neither side could find a creative rhythm. Consequently, the opening half was tepid stuff. Though Athletic stayed on top, they were unable to punch holes in a physically-powerful defence. The only danger at the other end came from Harris, who chased down every pass and wouldn’t give Athletic a moment’s peace. Harris — a combative player who was sent off against Athletic last season — also appeared to take a swipe at Lee Duxbury after being beaten in a juddering tackle. After walking a tightrope, the striker earned a 34th-minute caution for clattering Scott McNiven by the touchline. It remained the only incident of much note until Millwall collected the second of four yellow cards, this time for Joe Dolan’s tackle on Dudley. The best effort of the half came after 42 minutes when Allott crossed from the right and Corazzin’s spectacular volley flew wide from 20 yards.

Otherwise, it was a story of worthy toil with an entertainment value which hovered around zero. That changed straight after the break as Dudley twice hit 20-yard drives, the second of which brought a save — the first for either ’keeper — from Tony Warner. But the tide then turned and, after Moody headed wide and Cahill was denied by Gary Kelly, Millwall took command. In the 54th minute, they came closer still after the lively Paul Ifill sent Harris racing through the middle. Kelly blocked Moody’s shot and, in the melee, the visitors claimed handball against Shaun Garnett. They were unsuccessful but almost made amends through Steven Reid’s far-post header, which shaved the post with Kelly beaten. Garnett had an almighty let-off after 65 minutes when his stray back-pass was collected by Harris, who fired inches wide from a good position. Athletic were on the rack and, having failed to make the most of their possession, were now lucky to be on level terms. But it couldn’t last. And the goal which sent Millwall to the top finally arrived in the 79th minute. It was the constant threat of Harris which created the winner as the £3million-rated striker turned away from two defenders on the right of Athletic’s area. His cross was controlled by Cahill, who turned six yards out and crashed his shot high into the net. Sub Richard Sadlier almost made it two with four minutes left, only for Eyres to thwart him on the goal-line. The best Athletic could muster was a smart turn from Dudley, whose injury-time cross flew across goal but, unfortunately for home fans, wasn’t met with a finishing touch.

Athletic: Kelly, Rickers, Garnett, McNiven, Innes (Holt 81), Allott, Duxbury, Carss, Eyres, Corazzin (Tipton 77), Dudley. Subs (not used): Miskelly, Jones, Salt.

Millwall: Warner, Lawrence, Ryan, Nethercott, Dolan, Livermore (Ifill 36), Reid, Cahill, Bircham, Moody (Sadlier 85), Harris. Subs (not used): Gueret, Tuttle, Gilkes.

Managers’ Views

Ritchie: We can still make the play-offs

ANDY RITCHIE insisted Athletic could still make the play-offs, despite suffering their fourth defeat in nine home games. The loss sent them down to 20th place in the second division, while conquerors Millwall are the new leaders. Ritchie said Athletic should stay optimistic and aim for the clubs above them, rather than look over their shoulders at the bottom four. He explained: “You always have a chance until the chance has gone completely. “The lads have to believe in themselves and show they have the desire to get up there. “Losing to Millwall is a setback, but we have an important home game against (bottom club) Oxford next week and we have to take full advantage. “If we beat the people below us, we will start to move up the table again. And if we get back to winning ways in that game, we can have another mini-revival.”

The manager’s pre-match prediction — that Millwall would be the toughest side Athletic had faced all season — proved accurate. He took heart from the display but admitted that his team lacked a cutting edge. “Millwall are probably the best side in the division,” Ritchie said. “They are big, strong and well organised. “But we totally dominated them before half-time. In fact, I don’t remember them having a shot. “We also started the second half really well, but we couldn’t get on top like we did in the first. “It was probably a game of two halves, although we had our chances, especially at the end when Craig Dudley turned really well and there was no-one on the end of his cross. “A draw would have been a fair result, but I can’t fault any of the lads for effort. “We just couldn’t get the ball to the strikers enough — we panicked a bit. But I still think we have come a long way because earlier in the season they might have beaten us by more. “It has happened a lot this season that we haven’t made it count when we have been on top. “Millwall showed why they are right up there, but we have to start grinding people into the ground when we have the chance.”

Lions manager Mark McGhee has suffered only two defeats since taking over the hot seat in September. And he said: “I was delighted with the way we dug in after half-time. We were a yard short, but then we found a bit extra and it was a much better performance. “It’s good to be top of the division, but I don’t know if we’ll stay there because things come along which set you back. “There are some games, like the one at Rotherham next week, when you just don’t want to get beaten. That way, you can stop your rivals gaining ground.”

Steven of Manchester writes .... I was at the match on Saturday and though the team played well I was surprised when in the second half Oldham started to hoof the ball up the pitch. In the first half they were passing the ball around and this caused Millwall a lot of problems. Surely Oldham are a team who like to pass the ball about and not just hoof it up the middle where the big defenders had an easy time, but when on the ground it was completely different. Also when Tipton came on as substitute why with his first and second tackle seem to want to break someone's leg. Surely he must learn that he should not jump in with two feet all the time. He has already been booked a couple of times this season and he must learn to control his aggression.

TEAMtalk Oldham Another injury problem The Latics have one more injury problem ahead of Saturday's visit of bottom-of-the-table Oxford with Paul Rickers picking up a groin strain. Rickers complained that his groin felt a bit sore after the Millwall game but Andy Ritchie reckons he should be ready in time to meet the division's whipping boys. Oxford have taken just eight points from 19 games and they have the division's worst defensive record, with a goal difference of -25! However, that says only one thing to Andy Ritchie - Care is needed here!
Ritchie said: "We must be properly focused this week as it is going to be a very big game come Saturday. "We just can't afford to lose and it is as simple as that."
Ritchie holds up hands The Latics crashed to their second defeat in seven games but Ritchie insisted they had lost to the best side in the division. Andy Ritchie said: "We took the game to them from the start and totally dominated the first half. After the break, though, they showed that they are the side to be reckoned with. "They are strong and well organised and it was a lesson for our younger players. If they learn from it and I'm sure they will, then it will hold them in good stead." The Latics survived the second half onslaught and Gary Kelly kept them in the game with several fine saves. However, he had no chance when Millwall hit the winner on 79 minutes.
Ritchie said about the goal: "We fell for a sucker-punch and it cost us a point. Up until that moment we were weathering the storm and I thought that a draw would have been a fair result. However, once again I couldn't fault my lads for effort. Neil Harris is class act and we allowed him to take us into areas that we didn't want to go. We also couldn't get the ball into our strikers often enough and at times we panicked a bit."
Pitch protection To give the Boundary Park pitch some extra protection the club will be buying a set of rain covers which will cover the entire playing surface. The ten sheets will cover the whole pitch and will be put on and taken off the pitch with the help of an inflatable tube. Alan Hardy said that with four home games coming up during December which of course includes the usually well attended Boxing Day game, the club were taking significant steps to ensure that no more games fall foul of the weather. He said: "We've taken advice and are therefore taking steps to ensure our programme goes unaffected if possible." However, the covers come at a considerable cost with the club paying around £320 a week for them until the end of the season.
Price reduction The Latics have reduced prices for next week's LDV Cup tie against derby rivals Wigan Athletic. It will cost £5 for adults and just £1 for juniors and pensioners. The competition was formerly known as the Auto Windscreen Shield and the Latics have gone out in the first round for the last three seasons. The game will be played on Tuesday, December 5th with a 7:45pm kick-off. TEAMtalk Millwall
McGhee hails vicious Lions Mark McGhee believes that his efforts to add steel to his players were rewarded with Saturday's hard fought victory over Oldham.
McGhee has been full of fighting talk since his arrival at the club, telling his side to think of themselves as a First Division team and instilling a battling spirit. That work ethic was certainly required in the difficult conditions at Boundary Park, where the Lions bounced back from a poor first-half display to take all three points, with Tim Cahill's winner sending them to the top of the Second Division table. A delighted McGhee said: "We produced a good performance in the second-half. We defended well and I was pleased. "I thought we were very pedestrian in the first-half and could not find a tempo, but in the second-half we dug deep. "I've been talking to the players a lot about mental strength and they certainly showed that."
Boss praises fans Millwall's fans have been praised by Mark McGhee for their support away from home since the Lions boss' appointment. The travelling band of Millwall fans made their presence felt at Oldham on Saturday as they have done all season and McGhee, who has previously spoken of his admiration for Millwall supporters, believes they have played a major role in their side's climb to the top of the table. He said: "They are fantastic. I never had any doubts about the fans – they were one of the reasons I came here. They have been great and the players really appreciate it." Immediately after taking over, McGhee admitted that Millwall's fans were entitled to greet his appointment with scepticism but pleaded for them to get behind the players, which they certainly have done.

London Evening Standard Millwall went top of the second division thanks to a late goal from midfield man Tim Cahill. The winner arrived after 78 minutes but Mark McGhee's men had dominated the second half and already wasted plenty of chances to see off struggling Oldham. The Lions have lost only twice since McGhee took charge in September and in striker Neil Harris have a livewire player who set up their goal and again impressed the watching scouts. The manager however insisted that Harris was still very much a Millwall player. He said: " We have had no contact from anyone although there has been a lot of talk about people being interested, which isn't surprising. "But I was promised I wouldn't have to sell unless it was to improve the side and I certainly wouldn't improve the side by selling Neil Harris." Oldham boss Andy Ritchie took heart from his side's display and thought there were plenty of positive aspects to the defeat. "Some of the younger lads have learnt a few lessons against probably the best side in our league," said Ritchie. "We need to take those lessons in and build on the good points we can take from the game." Oldham made the brighter start on a tiring and muddy pitch which had to pass an 8.30am inspection. Carlo Corazzin and Anthony Carss both had half chances but Millwall looked good at the back and openings were few and far between. Harris, who was sent off against Oldham last season, was booked for a 34th minute tackle on Scott McNiven. And, as the match gained some much needed momentum, Joe Dolan became the second of four yellow cards for the visitors.The entertainment increased after the break as Craig Dudley hit two 20 yard drives - the first dipping just over and the second being palmed away by Tony Warner. But it was then that Millwall took over and Gary Kelly had to deny Cahill's header at the far post. Harris and Moody then had chances, while Steven Reid shaved the post with a header. Harris was next to go close with a prodded shot from 12 yards after he intercepted a stray back pass. The pressure had to tell and, with time running out, Harris weaved his way through on the right hand side of Oldham's box. He crossed low into the six yard area where Cahill controlled the ball before crashing it high into the net.

Millwall On-Line (Club Site)

Marc Bircham retained his place in the starting line up & Tim Cahill was recalled to the side. Paul Ifill dropped down to the bench.
The pitch resembled a ploughed sandy field in places but all credit to Oldham for getting the match on when nearby Bury & Rochdale both had their games called off.

The Lions were immediately on the defensive, Nethercott having to put in a good tackle on Dudley as he ran on to a through ball. 2 minutes later, a good ball over from the left cleared Nethercott & Corazzin had half a chance but he was quickly closed down & the ball cleared. Then Tony Carss made a direct run and the defence backed off. He shaped to shoot from a good position and fell over but it was Oldham that looked the livelier of the 2 sides at the start. In fact the first chance for the Lions came after 12 minutes when Robbie Ryan miscued a cross after it hit a bump in the pitch but it fell nicely for Marc Bircham whose volley hit the roof of the stand. However after good play by Neil Harris and David Livermore the Lions earned a corner. The corner was too long and as Matt Lawrence crossed from the right, the referee penalised Paul Moody for a foul on the keeper.

After 16 minutes Neil Harris on the break got to the edge of the box but with little support he was surrounded by 3 defenders & lost possession. Oldham countered & after good play down the right, the ball found Eyres on the edge of the box. Warner watched the shot loop over the bar. More pressure followed down the right & Ryan fouled Dudley. The free kick by Eyres was knocked out but Cahill had to concede a corner. Moody headed the corner clear as the ref. blew for a foul on Warner. Neil Harris was upset by a Duxbury tackle & seemed to have a swing at him. Luckily he failed to connect as he would have been sent off. The ref. gave him the benefit of the doubt and told him to calm down. Bircham Cahill and Harris then tried to create a chance but they were outnumbered & then a through pass from Marc looking for Harris was too long. After half an hour Ryan blocked a goalbound shot by Dudley. Then a strong tackle on the touchline on Livermore injured him & although he returned after treatment he was clearly not 100%. The referee did not see the tackle as a foul. Then Allott fouled Bircham & then seemed to kick him for good measure. The free kick came to nothing.

Neil Harris tried to take on two defenders in the box but was penalised. As McNiven cleared the ball, Harris caught him with a late tackle and was booked.

Paul Ifill then came on for the injured Livermore. Paul went on the right side with Steven Reid moving over to the left. Reid took a free kick following a foul on Moody. The defence moved out and about 6 Lions players were offside. With 39 minutes gone Dolan won the ball as Dudley looked to get through. The Oldham man crashed to the ground and Joe became the 2nd Lion in the referee's notebook. It looked a good tackle from where I was. Eyres took the free kick and Dolan headed it away with Robbie Ryan completing the clearance.

With 3 minutes to go to half time, Bircham was caught out by a bad bounce and Allott crossed into the box. Corazzin tried a spectacular overhead kick that went well wide. Dolan continued to do well at the back and was strong in the air. Steven Reid got back & made a good tackle on the edge of the box as Oldham threatened again. In the 2 minutes of injury time, Lawrence & Ifill combined well to earn a corner. The corner by Ifill found the head of Nethercott but he headed it wide and the half finished 0 - 0

Neither side had created any decent chances and the defences had dominated the match although neither of the keepers had been tested.

Oldham started the second half in an upbeat way. Dudley got in behind the defence and from the edge of the box on the left, he hit a looping shot that Warner was pleased to see just clear the bar. A minute later Dudley again got clear past Ryan and a good left foot shot was pushed round the post by Warner. Tony came out to claim the corner. As Neil Harris looked to break on the left side, Rickers fouled him and got booked. Oldham continued to press forward and a long throw to the near post caused the defence problems but the shot was wide. On 50 minutes Paul Moody got on the end of a Lawrence cross. Although he was some way out, the ball went narrowly wide of the goal. This was followed by more good play by Moody who found Harris out wide. Neil cut the ball back and his right foot cross was ideal for Cahill to head in. The keeper got down well to smother the header. Then great play by Ifill on the right, he took on 3 defenders and got the ball to Harris. The ball found Moody whose shot was somehow kept out by Garnett on the line when a goal looked certain.

With 60 minutes gone, Paul Ifill again tricked the defender and hit a cross to the far post. Reid rose well and headed just wide of the keeper's left hand post. Then following a foul on Moody, the Lions got a free kick 10 yards outside the box. Cahill slipped the ball to Reid and his shot was deflected for a corner. The corner did not work out well. However, Matt Lawrence then made a great run from deep into the box after good play by Harris, Ifill & Moody. Matt sliced his shot wide although the flag was up for offside in any event.

A good run by Steven Reid earned another chance. He passed to Ifill who won a corner. Too many players went for the same ball and Moody headed it wide. Reid then went on another run through the centre. He went down under a challenge & the ref. booked him, presumably for unsporting behaviour. Then the best chance to date was wasted. Under pressure from our attack, Garnett made an awful back pass across the box and Harris was on to it like a shot. He hit it first time and it was agony as it missed the goal by inches.

A further booking for the Lions as Nethercott was penalised for a tackle from behind. The free kick was curled in but the defence did well. On 76 minutes Corazzin nipped in and took the ball wide of Nethercott before hitting a left foot shot straight into the midriff of Tony Warner. Then at the other end good composed play involving Lawrence & Bircham got the ball wide to Ifill. He cut inside and hit a goalbound left foot shot. The defender got in a block tackle and it ricocheted off for a goal kick. Cahill & Bircham competed well in midfield & earned a free kick on 72 minutes. The ball ended up with Ifill who won a corner. Cahill rose well as the ball came in & his headed looped over the bar.

On 77 minutes a great cross field pass to Ifill saw him run into the box & cut inside the defender Innes who pulled him to the ground. The ref. waved away claims for a spot kick. Oldham then took off Corazzin & sent on Tipton. It was the Lions that continued to threaten and Harris took the ball past two defenders & crossed but there was no one to slot it in. A minute later, more good play by Harris and this time, he found Cahill at the near post. Tim had time to turn and whack the ball in the net as the defenders could not get close enough. 1 - 0 to the Lions on 79 minutes.

Oldham then took off no 11 Innes & sent on Holt (no 3). Not satisfied with 1 - 0 the Lions kept pressing forward. Harris Ifill & Moody were all working well & Ifill as substitute had certainly caused havoc in the defence. Great play down the left involving Reid Ryan & Bircham got Neil Harris free and the keeper had to push out his shot. It just didn't fall to one of our attackers. Oldham looked to break quickly but the defence was firm.

Moody was replaced by Richard Sadlier just before the end. Richard nearly got on the scoresheet when Harris passed to Lawrence & Matt's cross into the six yard box looked to be heading for Sadlier at the far post. The defender did well to get there first to concede a corner. Sadlier nearly got the corner in the net & the defender just kept it out.

Robbie Ryan fouled Eyres out on the left and the free kick was dropped by Warner. Ryan hoofed it clear & then Nethercott repelled the subsequent attack. 2 minutes injury time.

The big striker Tipton made a good run, went past Nethercott & hit a low shot that looked to be goalbound. Fortunately it flew wide of the goal and not in it. The last incident was a free kick by McNiven that was launched into the box and with all the big men up, Warner's punch was poor but the ball went off for a corner. The ref. blew the whistle as Warner claimed the corner and it finished 1 - 0 to the Lions.

Contributions and letters should be sent to Gary Davies by e-mail at [email protected].or at Boundary Bullet-zine,41 Verney Road,Royton,Oldham,United Kingdom.OL2 6AZBoundary Bullet-zine Archive can be found at http://www.geocities.com/laticsgary.geo.The views expressed on this e-zine are not the views of Oldham Athletic F.C. nor necessarily the views of the Editor.This e-zine is a unofficial publication NOT sanctioned by Oldham Athletic Football Club.The editor will not publish any letters containing bad language.This e-zine is written using Microsoft Outlook Express and is best viewed with the HTML (rich) text option enabled.

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