The Dream Ends

Last updated : 01 March 2013 By The Chairman

The Latics are out of the FA Cup. After some sterling work in getting to the fifth round replay at Everton, they were dumped out by a relieved Everton side who must have had worries about the tie considering the recent cup history between the two teams. Everton took the lead but, almost immediately after, the Latics had what looked like a cast iron penalty turned down by the referee. A tying goal at that stage could have changed the game but the Toffees went on to score again through a penalty to make it a 2-0 scoreline at half-time. Everton got a third in the 62nd minute but substitute Matt Smith pulled one back for the Latics with another great header.

Everton assistant manager Steve Round said after the match, "I thought Oldham put a right shift in and pushed us all the way. They were a credit to the manager and to themselves. I thought they really acquitted themselves right and made it very tough. Having said that, I think we matched them for the attitude and then your quality comes through at the end. You saw that with one or two of the goals that we scored and unfortunately we missed a couple of chances to maybe make it a bit more clear-cut."

Latics caretaker boss Tony Philliskirk added, "My feeling is one of pride, first and foremost. When we went 3-0 down it would have been very easy for people to be thinking it was going to be four or five but I thought we responded magnificently in the second half. Ironically, when they scored the third goal we were probably having our best spell in the game. It was disappointing to concede that third but the lads kept going, Matt Smith's got another great goal and I thought we played some smashing stuff in the second half."

If only Matt Smith had begun the game it could have been another story as he caused all sorts of havoc in the Everton defence. Oldham now have to consolidate their league placing and make sure that they finish the season well clear of the relegation spots.