4th November 2000   

BBZ is back

Venezuelan international Giovanni Savarese scored a late equaliser for Swansea earning the visitors a 1-1 draw with Oldham at Boundary Park. But, the home side will feel that they threw away two vital points as they allowed the Swans to comeback and grab a late equaliser. The Latics looked to be on course for their fourth win in five games when Paul Jones headed home a David Eyres corner for his first goal of the season in the 77th minute.
But, they had to settle for a share of the spoils when Venezuelan striker Savarese needed two stabs before firing a loose ball over the line with just five minutes to go. Both sides pressed forward for a winner, but there were no more goalscoring chances as the points were shared. The result leaves the Latics fourth from bottom with 16 points. 

Savarese grabbed a poacher's goal with only six minutes left, capping a memorable week which began with a two-goal blast against Bristol City.

The equaliser scuppered what looked a probable win for Oldham after defender Paul Jones broke the deadlock with his first goal of the season.

There were only 14 minutes left, but the home side could not hold out after controlling the game for long spells.

Bad finishing was their downfall, and manager Andy Ritchie was convinced that his men had deserved a fourth victory in five games.

Ritchie said: "it's definitely two points dropped because Swansea did not deserve anything from the game. We dominated 99 per cent of it, but we have to start taking our chances." "If it wasn't for that, we would have won our last five instead of having three wins and draw.

"But at least we are heading in the right direction and I couldn't fault any of my lads for hard work or effort." Swans boss John Hollins was pleased with the character of his team, whose point kept them above Oldham in the lower reaches of the second division.

"We did well to go in at 0-0 at half-time," he said. "Then we came out brighter and sharper and we had some good chances." Oldham midfielder David Eyres was the first to try his luck, beginning a superb individual display on the left.

But visiting striker Steve Watkin came even closer after five minutes when his header had to be turned over by Oldham goalkeeper Gary Kelly.

Oldham then took over, but their slick football did not create many chances and they were kept at arms' length by Swansea's three well-drilled centre-backs.

Mark Allott missed a couple of openings and Neil Adams hit the bar from 18 yards with a curling first-time drive.

But Swansea began to assert themselves after the break and the game developed into a close fought contest.

Visiting keeper Roger Freestone made a fine stop from substitute Craig Dudley before the Latics finally broke down after 76 minutes when Eyres swung over a corner and Jones met it with a powerful header from ten yards.

Watkin should have equalised moments later when he headed against the post from just four yards, but the Swans made amends six minutes from time.

Jason Smith's header from a corner was blocked on the line but Savarese bundled home from close range 

Sporting Life Weekend Review

Reading took over at the top after a seven-goal thriller in the Thames Valley derby with bottom of the table Oxford.

Tony Rougier was the hero after coming on as substitute and netting twice to secure a last-gasp win.

Darren Caskey scored from the spot, Derek Lilley levelled, and Jamie Cureton put Reading in front only for an own goal by Adrian Viveash and one from Jon Richardson to give United hope of their first away points before Rougier's brace made it 4-3 to the Royals.

Walsall lost for the second time in three games, going down 2-1 at Brentford who recorded a fourth successive home win.

Andy Scott scored the fastest goal of the day, taking 63 seconds to put the Bees in front.

Darren Byfield hauled the Saddlers level but Paul Evans notched the winner, all the goals coming in the first 19 minutes.

Wigan closed up in third place, Ian Kilford's goal in the 1-0 win over Lancashire neighbours Bury handing them a fifth straight defeat.

Stewart Talbot's goal at Northampton kept Rotherham up with the pace, the 1-0 win leaving them in fourth spot. The Millers secured the three points despite playing for 75 minutes with 10 men after Gary Bransdon was sent off for a second yellow card.

Millwall stay fifth after Richard Sadlier scored two more to make it four in two games. Neil Harris netted his 12th of the season in the 3-1 win over Cambridge for whom Jonas Axeldal scored in their third defeat on the trot.

Wycombe's hopes were rocked by Bristol City who extended their undefeated run to nine games with their third win on the trot. City were 2-1 winners at Adams Park, Tony Thorpe netting twice for Danny Wilson's resurgent outfit while Andy Rammell notched for Wanderers.

Port Vale won away for the first time this season, Michael Cummins getting the goal in the 1-0 win at Swansea, who lost for the third successive match.

Oldham were 2-0 winners at Bristol Rovers who are still without a win at the Memorial Ground, Mark Allott and Lee Duxbury scoring for the Latics.

Notts County won at home for only the second time, triumphing 3-2 against struggling Swindon.

The home goals came from Sean Farrell, Craig Ramage and David Joseph. Danny Invincibile scored two for Town, who were beaten for the third time on the trot and are without a win in five games.

Bjarni Gudjonsson and James O'Connor put Stoke two up in 13 minutes against Bournemouth and although Jermaine Defoe pulled one back it ended 2-1 to the Potters.

Colchester, looking for a third win on the trot, went in front through Karl Duguid at Peterborough but Leon McKenzie equalised for the Posh and Andy Clarke made it 2-1 in the 89th minute.

Luton were celebrating their third win of the season when they were three in front at home against Wrexham with 35 minutes left, Mark Stein, Julian Watts and Liam George the scorers.

But the Welshmen hit back through Craig Faulconbridge, Chris Killen and Martyn Chalk and Darren Ferguson made it 4-3 in the 87th minute.