Latics draw with Blackburn
Ritchie on the fans
Got £500 to spare?

The Athletic side, by comparison, was assembled for only £550,000, and of that sum Ritchie had spent only £40,000 on Stuart Thom.

How Athletic could do with somebody with the Blackburn benefactor's financial clout to transform their fortunes.

Ritchie was delighted by his side's performance, as well as the turn-out for his testimonial.

The crowd of 4,603 was not far short of the average for last season, a measure of the esteem in which the Athletic manager is held.

He said: "It was very satisfying from a personal both the numbers who turned up and also the way in we matched Blackburn.

"It was great to see so many fans come out to support me, and I would like to say a big thank you to all of them.

"I thought we had the better chances and what a splendid save Alan Fettis made moments after coming on as a substitute.

"Blackburn exerted pressure at times, but then so did we and I could not have asked more of my lads.

"We have played Watford, a newly-promoted Premier League side, but Blackburn have more strength in depth

"I was very pleased with our back four for the way in which they played the front men who have cost a fortune

"Blackburn caused us a few problems early doors, but we gradually got on top of them.

"Shaun Garnett and Stuart Thom were excellent, but the two full-backs were great as well;"

Ritchie remains pleased with the way things are taking shape, although he says you cannot read too much into preseason matches and believes judgement day will be on August 7 when the season kicks off for real.

The attendance nearly matched last season's average and the Oldham boss showed his gratitude to the fans in a 0-0 draw. But what really pleased the strike-master was the brave performance of his side, lining up against talent which cost nearly £30 million of Rovers' owner Jack Walker's cash.

Ritchie's side, the same line-up which won the Manx Festival at the weekend, cost significantly less. Yet the Ewood stars were matched for skill and work by 'Latics.Keeper Gary Kelly was bravely out to block a goal effort when Rovers 19-year-old starlet David Dunn was in with a great scoring chance.And Rovers' long-serving England man Jason Wilcox powered a header off Kelly's crossbar from Dunn's cross with the 'keeper beaten.

But Oldham got down to business and their bright young Scot Mark Innes, put through by the impressive 19-year-old loan player Junior Agogo, hit a first-time shot just past Tim Flower's post. The best work by Flowers was when he shoved over Stuart Thom's power header from a Neil Adams corner. Thom and Shaun Garnett at the centre of the Oldham defence mostly controlled Rovers strike pair of £7.5 million Kevin Davies and Scottish international Kevin Gallacher. But one of the finest moments was when John Sheridan's shrewd pass set up Mark Allott and the Rovers substitute keeper Alan Fettis, with his first touch, managed an amazing block.

Kidd said later: ``I'm glad to be here for Andy's night. I knew him at United as a kid. But this was a good game and a handy workout.'' Ritchie, a best-buy for Oldham when Joe Royle paid a tribunal-fixed £50,000 12 years ago had spells at Leeds, Brighton and Scarborough in his distinguished career. After the game, he said: ``It was a great night - especially some of the football.

``My lads gave as good as they got, which was very satisfying. Garnett and Thom and the full backs were excellent. Obviously, Blackburn have strength in depth, but the lads played them well. ``And their keeper had to make the two best saves of the game. I have to say we have looked very solid in our pre-season games. ``But I thank the crowd for turning out - they were great.'' And he rubbished rumours that he had played his last game.

``I got an injury three weeks ago, or I would have been out there tonight. But if I'm needed, I'm still on the books and I'll turn out.''
 

Oldham 0 - 0 Blackburn

It was the visitors who had the lion's share of pressure and possession throughout the game, but Brian Kidd's men simply failed to make their superiority pay, spurning a number of gilt-edged opportunities.

On sixteen minutes, England winger Jason Wilcox saw his header beat Latics keeper Gary Kelly, only to be denied by the cross-bar.

Scottish international Kevin Gallacher too went close, failing to convert on a number of occasions when he really should have done better.

Latics had their chances, with veterans John Sheridan, Lee Duxbury and promising youngster Mark Innes all trying their luck but all too often failed to test Tim Flowers in the Rovers' goal.

Brian Kidd saw his men fail to take advantage of prolonged periods of pressure with former Carlisle man Matt Jansen blazing over possibly the best opportunity of the 90 minutes.
 
 

Striker boost

There were fears that the 19 year old Sheffield Wednesday striker would miss the opening game of the campaign against Preston.

The Ghanaian FA had been in telephone contact with the player last week asking about his availability for an Olympic Games qualifier on August 7th.

But there has been no international confirmation and Wednesday say that they won't allow him to go.

Agogo also told the Latics boss Andy Ritchie: "Even if they ask me now I will tell them that I am playing for Oldham."