Gritty Latics Oust Brave Cherries

Oldham ground out a one-nil victory against a spirited AFC Bournemouth side on Saturday the 24^th in what was anything but a classic encounter at Boundary Park.

The previous Saturday Latics had escaped the Priestfield with three points following a second half onslaught by Gillingham the team did remarkably well to stifle. In many ways the arrival of Bournemouth carried more menace, the Cherries being a team renowned for their slick passing game which has seen them breach the play-off zone consistently throughout recent seasons.

Oldham though were boosted by the return of the commanding Guy Branston and desperate to prevent a third home defeat in a row.

The game got off to a lively start with Latics forcing their first corner within the opening sixty seconds. However it became clear that the game was to be one of few chances and one goal would very probably decide the outcome.

Eyres, Wellens and Killen all spurned chances, the best falling to Eyres who following some trademark trickery which allowed him to penetrate the Bournemouth defence found his resulting shot fizz wide of the post.

There was room for a little comedy in the first half as Latics were awarded a free kick promisingly just outside the Bournemouth penalty area. Liddle stepped up to take the kick and blasted the ball very nearly over the Rochdale Road End. His wayward shot epitomised a lacklustre first half.

The second half was a livelier affair with both teams going close. Latics not for the first time this season had the imperious Chris Day to thank for a heroic save from Bournemouth’s Surman who looked certain to score. Minutes later a fabulous Beckett over head kick was cleared off the line.

The deadlock was broken on the hour mark when the referee adjudged Killen to have been brought down in the penalty area and Liddle, atoning for his dreadful first half free-kick slotted the ball coolly home from the spot.

The goal energised both teams for a brief period culminating in Killen missing from three yards out when it would have been easier to score, but then, predictably, the game petered out until the referee finally blew his whistle to signal the end of an uninspiring encounter between two teams, neither playing to their potential.

Bournemouth have reason to feel a little hard done to as the game had nil-nil stamped all over it, their passing and off the ball movement more than once sliced open the Latics midfield who will have to adapt to teams playing in this fashion if they are ever going to be serious contenders for promotion.

Ultimately though Latics have now registered two consecutive wins and clean-sheets and lie within the play-off positions. Also a special mention must go to Guy Branston who was denigrated last season for his performances but now adds power, strength and desire to the back line and makes the team look difficult to score against. The US Marine Core could not get round Guy Branston. Hail.