Reserves lose final

ATHLETIC are planning to check out a French striker tonight when Manchester United visit Boundary Park for the Manchester Senior Cup final. Vincent Ehoumen, 22 years old and a strapping 6ft 2ins, is out of contract with his club in Paris and can move to England as a free agent. He was recommended to Athletic, who were today trying to rush through his international clearance. They are always willing to take in trialists — especially strikers — and hope to include Ehoumen in the last two reserve-team matches of the season. Ryan Sugden will lead the line against United, who beat Athletic in last season's final to become holders of the cup. Sugden scored his first senior goal against Blackpool on Saturday, sending Steve McMahon's side crashing into division three. Allowing for their injury pile-up, Athletic are fielding the strongest side they can muster. Richard Graham and Ben Futcher feature in defence, Mark Innes and Phil Salt in midfield and Sugden and Matthew Tipton play up front. 

Reserves: Miskelly, Graham, McLaughlin, Futcher, Smith, Wharton, Walsh, Salt, Innes, Sugden, Tipton. Subs: (from) Ehoumen, Robertson, Gardiner, Haining, Froggatt, Roberts. 

United will include Jonathan Greening and Mark Wilson, both of whom starred in Saturday's Premiership win at Watford. The Reds also name Danny Higginbotham and Ronnie Wallwork, giving them four players who appeared for the first team against South Melbourne in the World Club Championship. Admission to the match, which kicks off at 7.30 pm, is £6 for adults and £3 for juniors and OAPs.

RYAN SUGDEN’S injury-time equaliser didn’t just give Athletic a point from their final home game of the season on Saturday. Nor did it simply open the youngster’s senior goalscoring account in the most dramatic of circumstances. The biggest fall-out from Sugden’s strike — his first touch after coming on as a substitute — wasn’t even that it condemned Blackpool to relegation. More than that, from Athletic’s point of view, it should have brought a grim realisation crashing down upon everyone at Boundary Park. Twelve months ago, it could have been them. And, having witnessed the horror of a team consigned to third division obscurity, they know they can never again flirt so dangerously with that gruesome fate. The reaction of Blackpool’s players, management and fans said it all. Sugden’s goal, combined with Oxford’s victory over Scunthorpe, meant all hope of survival had gone. As sure as night follows day, tears and recriminations were soon flowing.

Athletic’s supporters, while understandably disillusioned with the club’s fall from Premiership grace, should also be grateful that the decline, finally, has been halted. It was easy to feel sympathy for Blackpool who, when leading 1-0, were reduced to 10 men by a controversial decision from referee Paul Robinson. They were bombarded for the 16 minutes which followed, but were on course to claim victory — albeit an undeserved one — until Sugden converted a pass from his best mate, Danny Boshell. For all their reasons to be fearful, the visitors didn’t actually find many answers to their crisis. They gave it everything they had, they were tidy enough — with Wayne Gill and Boshell vying for top billing in the middle — and they got the ball out wide. The end product, however, was badly lacking and they managed only a single shot on target. Much credit must go to Athletic’s Shaun Garnett, who was the rock on which so many attacks foundered. Paul Jones and Mark Hotte were solid alongside him, while Andrew Holt usually dropped in to play more in defence than midfield. Until a second-half reshuffle, the onus to provide width fell on Craig Dudley, logically enough given his natural instincts. But Athletic were unbalanced going forward, especially as Scott McNiven — a right-footer playing on the left of midfield — needed to check inside rather than take people on.

Although things improved after Dudley and McNiven slotted into more familiar roles, the red card for Richard Wellens played the biggest part in their capture of a point. Had it not been for 19-year-old Sugden, Athletic’s fans would have left Boundary Park disillusioned by another average display. Athletic, though, were able to fall back on a quality which has been central to their rise above strugglers such as Blackpool. They can usually be relied upon to fight to the bitter end. And it would have been a shame if a season of progress had closed, on home ground at least, with another result which was untypical of their overall improvement. There were more changes to an Athletic line-up which has become anything but predictable in recent weeks. Lee Duxbury and Steve Whitehall brought their experience to a crucial fixture, with Sugden making way and Boshell — an 18-year-old who is now showing great promise — being preferred to Phil Salt. Backed by a 1,600-strong following, some of whom indulged in a bare-chested conga, Blackpool were clearly fired up from the start. But it was all about patient probing until Whitehall’s inswinging corner was headed off the line by Danny Coid in the 23rd minute. Whitehall was also involved in the first real chance of the game, forcing goalkeeper Phil Barnes into a brave block after Boshell played an inventive free-kick.

And Athletic carved out the best opening of a poor first half when Holt met Whitehall’s cross with a firm downward header which Barnes did well to keep out. The low-quality fare didn’t improve until the 63rd minute when Blackpool grabbed the lead with their one and only clear chance. Gill was the supplier, cutting in from the left and firing the ball into a ruck of players. It was held up by Mike Newell and defender Clarke Carlisle, still forward from a corner, drilled his shot low past Gary Kelly from 10 yards. While the Seasiders celebrated, Barnes came to their rescue again with a fine save from Boshell’s awkwardly-bouncing 30-yarder. But Blackpool suffered their telling blow in the 74th minute when Wellens, hopelessly unable to keep pace with Dudley, scythed him down cynically from behind. The straight red card from Mr Robinson sparked vehement protests as Dudley was fully 40 yards from the Blackpool goal. It was an atrocious challenge, however, and certainly warranted more than a booking. The barrage of Athletic attacks started soon after, with Barnes tipping over an effort from sub Mark Innes.

Stuart Thom’s header was beaten away and, when the ’keeper was beaten by Duxbury, defender Tommy Jaszczun was on hand to make a lunging clearance off the line. Then, in the 93rd minute, the visitors’ unlikely dream of survival was finally shattered. Boshell seized possession deep in the area and pulled the ball back from the right. Sugden finished clinically from eight yards and, in the act of enjoying the best moment of his career, drove a dagger through Blackpool’s collective heart.

STEVE McMahon blasted controversial referee Paul Robinson, claiming the decision to send off a Blackpool player was to blame for his club’s relegation. Richard Wellens was shown the red card when Blackpool were in front at Boundary Park, with a tackle on Craig Dudley being deemed violent conduct. But McMahon raged: “That decision has cost us our place. If we had beaten Oldham, we would have beaten Chesterfield next Saturday and I’m convinced we would have stayed up. “If that was violent conduct, I’ll eat my hat. It was a cop-out from the referee. “I thought the rules had been changed to allow some common sense, but they obviously haven’t changed for him. “It’s our livelihoods we are talking about. And if he had stopped and thought about what a sending-off could mean, he might not have done it. “It was a very hasty decision and I spoke to him about it after the game. “He said he begged to differ, which he would, but there’s nothing we can do about it because his decision is final. “Lodging a complaint won’t keep us up. And the lads are heartbroken after all the work they’ve put in. “It isn’t just this one game that has got us relegated, but everyone connected with the club is stunned and speechless. It’s a hard cross to bear.” 

Although Athletic boss Andy Ritchie commiserated with McMahon, he felt the dismissal of Wellens was justified. Ritchie said: “The lad didn’t make any attempt to play the ball, and the action of what he did meant the ref had no choice. “Maybe it proved important, but we didn’t want to go out with a home defeat and, without playing particularly well, it worked out for us in the end. “The substitution worked as well, even though, as we were about to make it, I said to Ryan Sugden that it might not be worth bothering. “Craig Dudley was out on his feet, so we decided to throw Ryan on anyway. I’m glad we did it now! “He stuck his goal away very well, but it wasn’t the best of games. With so much riding on it for Blackpool, it was never going to be great. “They didn’t cause us many problems, though, and their goal was down to lackadaisical defending. “But the lads have worked hard and I thought Danny Boshell was head and shoulders above everybody else.” 

 Oldham's reserves take on Manchester United tonight in the final of the Manchester Senior Cup looking to avenge last season's final defeat. The Latics will be putting out a strong side, including eight players with first team experience. Jinxed defender Richard Graham, who has missed most of the season with one injury or another, will be given a chance to push for a first team recall ahead of the final game of the season at Luton on Saturday. Ryan Sugden, who has come on leaps and bounds this campaign, will also be given the chance to display his skills. Sugden scored the goal that sunk Blackpool while Phil Salt, who is back after major surgery on an ankle injury, also played against the Seasiders. Mark Innes and Welsh under-21 striker Matthew Tipton both get a chance to try and resurrect their Latics' careers. Both are on the transfer list as the Latics try to raise cash for a dip in the transfer market during the summer.  Prices for the game are £6 for adults and £3 for juniors and pensioners.

 Richard Graham faces an anxious wait to discover whether he will be offered a new contract by the club. The 25 year old is out of contract in the summer and talks will take place regarding the players Boundary Park future. Graham has missed most of the last two seasons with various injuries and the board have now to decide what length of contract, if any, they are prepared to offer the player.

REDS WIN CUP AGAIN

Jonathan Greening helped Manchester United to win another trophy on Tuesday night. The attacking midfielder played in the 2-0 victory over Oldham Athletic at Boundary Park as the Reds' Reserves retained the Manchester Senior Cup, with Mark Wilson and a Ben Smith own-goal winning it for the Reds.