That’s more like it!

Photo: Pictures: CHRIS SUNDERLAND

Pawel Abbot slams in Oldham's first goal

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Athletic 2 - Carlisle Utd 0

Relief as resolute Latics end home hoodoo

AFTER waiting more than seven months, Athletic’s first home victory since Valentine’s Day was certainly one to savour.

And, typical of Athletic, they secured it against a Carlisle United team undefeated on their travels this season.

While Athletic produced a much-improved performance, they still lived dangerously on occasions before finally securing three valuable Coca-Cola League One points.

There were times, in a roller-coaster opening period, when it looked as though there might be further heartbreak as Carlisle threatened to leave Boundary Park with a win under their belts.

But rather like Athletic in previous matches this season, Carlisle lacked a cutting edge in front of goal while, for once, Dave Penney’s men took their chances.

There was a lot of positives to take from the match — two goals, a clean sheet and some solid individual performances.

Underfire ’keeper Dean Brill answered his critics in the best possible way with two brilliant saves in the opening period. They were to prove vital in the outcome.

On-loan left-back Alan Sheehan was the best player on the park, providing assists for the goals and oozing class. He should be playing at a higher level.

Kelvin Lomax came in for the injured Andy Holdsworth at right-back, and he must be the unluckiest player at Boundary Park when it comes to those unable to command a regular place.

Reuben Hazell and Sean Gregan, playing while unwell, were solid at the heart of the defence while in midfield Chris Taylor looked far more like his old self on the left after an injury-plagued start to the season.

And up front, Pawel Abbott and Keigan Parker both found the net — it was Parker’s first competitive goal for the club — and the strikes will lift their confidence.

To say that Athletic were down to the bare bones was an understatement as Nick Blackman, Alex Marrow and Holdsworth all joined the casualty list from last week.

They were so short on numbers that Kieran Lee was the only senior player on the bench. The remainder, all six of them, were all teenagers.

It looked as though it might be another of those days as Carlisle should have been two goals to the good inside six minutes.

Striker Richard Offiong, on debut, hesitated when clean through, which enabled Hazell to make a last-ditch challenge.

Carlisle were denied again when Scott Dobie eluded the offside trap, only for Brill, diving low to his right, to keep out the goal-bound goal.

Athletic made the most of lady luck as they stole ahead in the 13th minute.

Sheehan, joining the attack, fired over a low cross from the left which Abbott slotted home from six yards for his third goal of the season.

Athletic might have been awarded a penalty on another day when Taylor’s ball from the left looked to hit a Carlisle hand, while Abbott almost added a second but his acrobatic effort looped narrowly wide.

Sheehan almost opened his scoring account for Athletic — but at the wrong end — as his miscued headed clearance forced Brill into a brilliant reflex save.

Dobie was unlucky again, bursting on to Offiong’s through ball only to see his effort strike an upright when he looked certain to score.

Yet in first-half stoppage time Danny Whitaker almost doubled Athletic’s lead when his long-range drive was kept out by a fabulous fingertip save from Lenny Pidgeley.

The major surprise was that the entertaining and open first period only produced one goal.

Athletic sealed victory early in the second half. Taylor released Sheehan on an overlap on the left, and Parker scrambled home his far-post cross from virtually on the goalline.

That goal effectively killed of Carlisle, who visibly wilted from that moment.

Athletic closed out the match in a highly disciplined way, learning from the defeat at Bristol Rovers when they were done at the death.

Taylor might have added a third goal late on. First he cut in from the left and forced Pidgeley to make a super stop low down at his near post and from the resulting corner, he flashed a header narrowly wide.

This was Taylor of old, and hopefully Athletic can look forward to more of the same from the tricky forward in the coming months.


Penney: We got our just rewards

DAVE PENNEY was delighted with the win and the way it was achieved as Athletic finally ended their Boundary Park hoodoo.

“The tempo and the work rate was first class and, if you get that, you generally get your rewards,” explained the Athletic manager after the 2-0 defeat of Carlisle United.

He also believes the result will give both players and fans a boost.

Penney said: “I wasn’t aware that we hadn’t won at home since February 14 until the last defeat.

“I told the players ‘let’s get this monkey off our backs and remove the stigma of it’.

“While a lot of it is not down to me or the majority of players, who were not here last season, you can see why the supporters were frustrated as it is a long time to wait.

“It was good to get a positive result, no matter how we played. We needed to pick up three points.

“But there is still plenty to do. We are still missing too many chances and making too many mistakes.”

Penney, however, was pleased with his side’s improved display at either end of the pitch. Athletic took their opportunities in front of goal and were also resolute at the back.

He was especially pleased for Brill after the criticism he received in the wake of the home defeat by Hartlepool.

He said: “We took our chances, while Dean Brill made two excellent saves.

“Had they gone in, as they might have done last week, we could have struggled again. It is about ’keepers making saves and strikers making the most of their opportunities.

“We are delighted for Pawel Abbott and Keigan Parker, who scored our goals, and Dean, who had to make a great save from one of his own players!”

Penney, who was also delighted with Kelvin Lomax, Danny Whitaker and Parker, went on: “There is nowhere to hide if you are a striker.

“If you miss chances, you have to take the flak. It’s the same with a goalkeeper. There is no margin for error.

“If you are in the centre of midfield and make a mistake you can quickly rectify it, but in either box it is a missed chance or a goal.”

Carlisle manager Greg Abbott criticised his team, while praising Athletic.

He said: “Credit to Oldham as they got the goal and pressed on, but after the break we made it far too comfortable for them.”


Coca–Cola League One results

Brentford 1 Bristol Rovers 3, Brighton 2 Southend 3, Colchester 2 Hartlepool 0, Exeter 2 Tranmere 1, Leeds 4 Gillingham 1, Millwall 3 Huddersfield 1, Norwich 2 Charlton 2, Oldham 2 Carlisle 0, Southampton 2 Yeovil 0, Stockport 2 Leyton Orient 1, Walsall 1 Swindon 1, Wycombe 0 Milton Keynes Dons 1.