Latics trip the light fantastic

Photo: Alan Howarth

AHEAD IN THE GAME . . . Lee Erwin's effort is diverted into the net by Nathan Pond.

2 More Image(s) In Gallery

ON the day Athletic showed off their fancy new high-tech pitch-side advertising boards, the team lit up proceedings on the field as they produced a sparkling victory against a Fleetwood seemingly almost invincible on their travels.

The Cod Army hadn't been beaten away from Highbury since November 12, 2016, but they were second best in this clash at SportsDirect.com Park.

Athletic boss John Sheridan spoke post-match about how his team are really knitting together, and this was evident during what was a complete 90 minutes of understanding, cohesion, solidity, and no little style.

Sheridan's 'Army' are now unbeaten on their own patch since January, and again as the former Republic of Ireland midfield star later pointed out, his players are producing promotion form at present.

The survival mission is still not complete, but how this Athletic team have rallied since Sheridan's second return is quite phenomenal.

The 3-5-2 formation worked a treat against Fleetwood. Wing-backs Ryan McLaughlin and Chris Taylor bombing forward were a joy to behold at times, and Fleetwood boss Uwe Rosler later admitted that his side couldn't cope with it.

It's Bolton next, and what's in prospect at SportsDirect.com Park on Saturday?

If the home team repeat this kind of form then Phil Parkinson will know his side face a mighty battle if they are to realise their automatic promotion dream on what already promises to be a barnstormer of an afternoon.

Sheridan took the opportunity to recall injury-free pair Aaron Amadi-Holloway and Brian Wilson at the first opportunity, with Tope Obadeyi dropped to the bench along with left-back Josh Law.

Despite a splendid victory at Oxford three days earlier, Sheridan's opposite number Rosler opted to make four alterations to his starting XI - possibly partly due to fatigue.

Veteran defender Nathan Pond, midfielders George Glendon and Markus Schwabl, and striker Martyn Woolford were all given the nod.

Once the action got under way underneath clear blue skies, Athletic appeared to be on their game from the first whistle.

Sheridan's men bossed the opening 45 minutes, though the only goal they could muster was a rather fortuitous one.

It came after 25 minutes following a flowing move down the right flank.

Paul Green eventually whipped in a super cross and as Lee Erwin charged in menacingly to meet the ball, his effort appeared to flick off centre-back Pond and loop over helpless goalkeeper Alex Cairns.

That 'slice' of luck had been the least the hosts deserved.

They had negotiated the rather bumpy surface much better than Fleetwood, and created and missed a number of gilt-edged chances.

Peter Clarke's goal-bound effort was diverted wide by team-mate Amadi-Holloway, while Erwin somehow managed to scoop a strike over from barely two yards as he met Amadi-Holloway's header.

OPENING

Soon after the opening goal, Ollie Banks's perfectly executed free-kick brought a breathtaking flying save from Cairns, while Erwin also curled a neat strike narrowly wide in first-half stoppage-time.

The victory-clinching second goal came nine minutes after the restart - and it was a bit special.

It was Erwin's fifth goal in seven games as he chested down the ball brilliantly before volleying home from 12 yards after meeting a precise knock-down from Amadi-Holloway.

The home sections erupted. News also filtered through about Bury and Port Vale seemingly heading for defeats.

Erwin almost made it three when his curling strike was palmed round the post by Cairns at full stretch. At the other end, Connor Ripley must have felt like his summer holidays had come early.

Tormentor Erwin produced another swivelling effort that Cairns saved late in the game, but that was of little consequence in the end.

Athletic strolled to an eye-catching victory which left Fleetwood boss Rosler in a flap.

So there we have it - another game ticked off, with Bolton and Rochdale at SportsDirect.com Park, and Bristol Rovers and Wimbledon away still to come.

BALANCE

League One safety still remains in the balance with only a three-point buffer between Athletic and fourth-bottom Port Vale - plus a superior goal difference - but more performances like this one and there ought to be little need for concern.

IN A NUTSHELL: Athletic fully deserved their victory against the promotion hopefuls.