The Latics returned from Anfield last Friday with their reputation intact even though they suffered what was, on paper, a 5-1 hammering. In reality the Latics matched the Pool for the first hour or so of the match before their superior experience took over. The Latics started at full pace and really shook up the home side, and their famous Anfield crowd, as they set about causing what would have been the shock result of the round. Liverpool couldn't find their feet as the visiting Latics threw everything they had at them. It was an outstanding effort and the whole team worked their socks off to try to disrupt the Liverpool fluency. The game plan worked to a treat as they had the two best chances of the match to take the lead before the scousers had realised just what they were up against.
The Latics took the lead when Robbie Simpson hammered home an unstoppable volley to send the 6,000+ Latics travelling army into ecstacy. It was a fully deserved lead which left the Liverpool team and the unusually quiet Kop end absolutely stunned. If only the visitors had stayed calm and held the ball for some time they could have possibly gone in leading 1-0 which would have been a fair reflection of the game. As it was, and the old adage is that a team are most vulnerable when they have scored, the home side pounced on a momentary lapse of concentration and within minutes they were level from a deflected shot from Craig Bellamy which the Latics keeper could do nothing about. It was rough justice and a cruel blow to the Latics who had been by far the better team. It was to go even worse after Mvoto was penalised after an innocuous challenge and Liverpool were awarded a harshly judged penalty which Steven Gerrard comprehensively crashed home to send the home side in at the break with an undeserved lead.
The second half still gave hope for the Latics as they continued in the same vein but class will always show though, and as Gerrard took control of the midfield the tie started to slip away from the visitors. A third goal for Liverpool still didn't damper the hopes of the travelling thousands and in the end a 3-1 scoreline would probably have been a fair reflection of the game but two late goals gave a final score of 5-1 which totally flattered the home side. The Latics fans continued to out-sing and out-support their illustrious counterparts and they continued until long after the final whistle had been blown. It was a proud day for the team, the management and their supporters and one which will be long remembered by all who attended. The sad suffix of the whole affair was that if the Latics could have pulled off a remarkable victory they would have drawn Manchester United at home in the FA Cup fourth round. Oh well, such is football and such is life!