Latics bounce back in style

Last updated : 12 October 2008 By Dave Moore
The Latics proved their worth, after a minor hiccough which saw them get just two points from their previous nine, by hammering bottom club Hereford 4-0. The main damage came in the first half and Lee Hughes started the rout in the fourth minute with a close-range goal and then Andy Liddell put them two up in the 15th minute when he successfully converted a penalty. Daniel Jones, on loan from Wolves, scored his first goal for the Latics and also went on to win the man of the match award with a fine display. Danny Whitaker put the icing on the cake when he netted in the final minute of the game.

One worrying thing to come out of the game was that Mark Crossley (pictured) had to retire in the 46th minute with a back problem and Greg Fleming was forced to take over in goal. It is hoped that Crossley will be fit for next weeks big six-pointer clash with Leicester City.

Manager John Sheridan was delighted with his team's performance and told Latics World, "We played some excellent football at times. I'm pleased to have got a response after the last three games. I don't think we've been playing badly, but it's all about getting points on the board and we were very good today to put ourselves in a decent position."

"I said before the game that a good start was important and we set the tempo from the off. It's always good to be 1-0 up in the first five minutes - it was an opportunist's goal and that's what Lee's good at. The keeper made an error, but Lee was there at the right place at the right time to put the loose ball into the net. Then Andy Liddell's put the penalty away to give us a bit of comfort. I've seen them given, but if it had come against us I would probably have had a little bit of a moan. Daniel Jones's goal was probably the best of the afternoon, and you can see his quality in the way he's put that ball away. And Danny Whitaker came up with a good finish at the end. It's also pleasing to keep a clean sheet. They had one or two chances, but we put our bodies on the line and blocked everything that came our way."