27th September 1999 

Ritchie's view on Reading
Gumbs move back on?

TO players and supporters alike, Athletic’s draw at Reading felt more like a defeat than a good point earned away from home. When Mark Allott scored for the third consecutive game, Andy Ritchie’s battlers were on course for a precious win which would have lifted them from the bottom of the table. That was still the case deep into injury-time but, to the utter anguish of the visitors, substitute John Polston — a defender thrown up front more in hope than expectation — hammered in a 20-yard shot which punished them for one of their few defensive lapses in the entire 96 minutes. It was the cruellest of ironies, not that Athletic were inclined to appreciate such things after a performance which they will feel merited a win. The Royals only had so much time to find an equaliser because of an injury to one of their own players. And while a concussed Jim McIntyre left the ground in an ambulance, Athletic’s players had a different, but equally valid, reason for departing with their heads in their hands.

Although they were only in front because of Gary Kelly’s first-half penalty save, that should not detract from the most cohesive display of the season. Ritchie’s decision to revert to three centre-halves paid off handsomely until, at that agonisingly late stage of the match, his side failed to take the safe option which any narrow leader surely should. This clash won’t exactly linger long in the memory, but it was another sign that Athletic are finally playing as a unit rather than a collection of self-doubting individuals. Drawing from the victory over Bury and the promise shown in defeat at Bristol Rovers, they showed a new belief that, when the pieces are fitted together, they can get the better of most sides in the division. Allott and Scott McNiven, both of whom have endured some rocky periods over the last few months, personify that attitude better than anyone else. Allott took his goal with all the signs of burgeoning confidence, striking his shot with total conviction when, in less prosperous, times he would have looked to pass on responsibility.

He now has four goals in six games and is on the biggest high of his fledgling career. At the other end, McNiven was poised and almost foot-perfect in the unfamiliar position of sweeper. The 21-year-old has never played with greater assurance than he is at present and could be on the verge of fulfilling the potential he showed in his teens. McNiven was joined in defence by Stuart Thom and Richard Graham, a valuable addition to the side following his horrendous knee problems. Matthew Tipton switched from midfield to replace injured striker Steve Whitehall, while Ben Futcher and Craig Dudley, who was a lively late replacement, took places on the bench for the first time. John Sheridan opened proceedings by twice attempting cheeky repeats of the 45-yard free-kick which launched the previous match at Bristol Rovers. But, after only nine minutes, Reading were awarded as dodgy a penalty as you could ever see. Though it was fair that Thom should be penalised for a push as £650,000 striker Nicky Forster prepared to cross, the offence was a good two feet outside the area. Athletic protested long and loud to both referee and linesman, only for Kelly to make the most eloquent statement of all by plunging low to his left to save Darren Caskey’s nervous-looking spot kick.

Unfortunately for everyone but the respective defences, Kelly’s latest bout of heroics was the inappropriate hors-d’oeuvre before a seriously bland first course. Passes went astray, control was poor and the match became as appetising as a plateful of last month’s Brussels sprouts. As the only moment of interest came just before half-time when Forster created a chance for Neil Smith, things could only get better. They did so but, given that Reading should have been showing more hunger under their caretaker management, the fare remained surprisingly short of boiling point until Athletic raised the temperature in the 55th minute. The chance came when McNiven’s long ball sent Paul Rickers scampering away through the inside-right channel. Rickers reached the ball a fraction before goalkeeper Scott Howie, only for his lob from 16 yards to loop on to the roof of the net. Reading went even closer shortly after when three shots were blocked in the same goalmouth flurry. Tipton’s cross-cum-shot then flashed beyond the far post and, with Athletic beginning to find some fluency of their own, the breakthrough arrived in the 69th minute.

When Sheridan’s corner was cleared the danger seemed to be over, but Neil Adams lifted the ball back into the area. Allott picked it up after finding space wide of the hosts’ massed defence and he showed instant control before aiming a low shot just inside the far post. It was Athletic’s first shot on target, but Tipton’s rasping drive could have quickly doubled the lead. The same man should have done precisely that in the final 10 minutes when he ran on to Sheridan’s through ball and allowed Howie to save at his near post while Rickers stood unmarked in the area. There were also chances for Thom and Reading’s Andy Gurney before Polston’s header — alertly tipped over by Kelly as the away fans bayed for the final whistle — reminded Athletic that a one-goal lead can never be taken for granted. Sadly, they failed to heed the warning and, instead of using the big boot to rid themselves of every hint of danger, they allowed Caskey to chip into the box. With 94 and a half minutes showing on the clock, the ball was nodded down to Polston, whose shot fizzed into the bottom corner and left Athletic cursing the bad luck which only seems to afflict the teams who are most in need of the occasional favour.

Ritchie sounds a note of caution

ANDY RITCHIE is determined to play down Athletic's improved form after they came within seconds of victory at Reading on Saturday.

Ritchie watched his side produce a promising display for the third time in as many games, but today reminded his players of the harsh reality of their situation. "I'm not getting over-enthusiastic about things," the manager said. "I've done that before and we've fallen flat on our faces. "The fact is that we are still bottom the table. I won't be feeling happier until that changes." Athletic now have home games against Notts County and Luton to shake off the tag of division two backmarkers. 

The draw at Reading left them two points behind the rest of the pack and four away from the safety zone. The only new injury worry centres on Neil Adams, who has been feeling pain from his hamstring. Adams missed training today and will be monitored throughout the week. There is a chance that Steve Whitehall and Shaun Garnett, both of whom missed out on Saturday, will recover before next weekend. Both are undergoing treatment, Whitehall for an ankle problem and Garnett for the stomach strain which Athletic are refusing to risk. Paul Beavers, however, is still suffering from a sore Achilles and is set to remain on the sidelines for at least a fortnight. The striker has tried some light running, but he suffered a painful reaction.

Players’ reaction delights Ritchie

ATHLETIC’S dressing room was a scene of angry recrimination after Reading snatched a last-gasp equaliser — and Andy Ritchie was pleased to see it. “The lads are very disappointed and they have had a go at each other,” Ritchie revealed. “I don’t mind that at all because it’s better than me laying into them, and I wouldn’t have done that anyway. “Working it out between themselves can be the most profitable way to move forward. “I prefer to take the positives out of that game, and there were a lot of them. “Mark Allott was sharp, Richard Graham is looking as good as ever and Stuart Thom also did a lot better. “Neil Adams gave us his best performance so far and the biggest positive all season has been Scott McNiven, who was again excellent. “We used a sweeper because we got a lot of good results with it in away games last season. Today showed why and we deserved to win. “We made inroads, passed it well and our chances were more clear-cut.” But the Athletic boss was only too aware that his side should have ended their away-day drought with three points instead of one. He said: “We had a couple of chances after we scored and we have to start burying them. “We can’t rely on one goal at the moment because we have to get two or three up to give ourselves a fighting chance. “We also need to cut out the schoolboy errors which cost us a goal in the end. “The ball should have been over the stand, but we didn’t do that and it led to us losing possession.”

Alan Pardew, Reading’s caretaker manager, hit out at Athletic and claimed they used cynical tactics in a bid to keep the lead. He blasted: “Oldham didn’t deserve to win because their time wasting was ridiculous. “They tried to do a job on us and they paid for it in the end.” After his surprising — and largely unjustified — outburst, Pardew admitted his own team’s performance left a lot to be desired. “I apologise to the fans,” he said. “I wouldn’t have fancied watching that and I’m making no excuses for the performance. “The players gave me plenty of effort, but you won’t get anywhere when eight or nine of them are having an off day.”