Latics continued their slump and Bournemouth knocked another nail in their coffin (or is it the managers?) with a win at Boundary Park in a game where 17-year-old striker Chris Hall (pictured) was making his first league start. Oldham started well enough when Maher handled the ball in the first minute and Scott Vernon slotted the ball into the net from the resultant penalty. Another incident could have resulted in further goal after David Eyres cut in and shot. Moss saved well and Kevin Betsy followed up but his ball back across the face of goal was missed by everyone. The Cherries did have their first half chances though, but Les Pogliacomi coped capably with all that was thrown at him. Just before half time, Hall almost scored on his debut after Dean Holden headed the ball back across goal but Hall’s flick lacked sufficient power to trouble the keeper.
The second half was a different story. Bournemouth got an equaliser through Hayer after Poggsy was slow to react on the edge of the box and the leading scorer was left with a simple tap into the open net. Then it was 1-2 in the 76th. minute when Hayter got his second with a fine shot after beating the off-side trap. The Latics were buried and never got back into the game. That is now a run of eight league games without a win. I hate to say it, but I’m dreading the thought of Accrington Stanley visiting Boundary Park!
Brian Talbot commented, “First half we dominated. We controlled the ball, passed it well, created chances. We had a perfect start to the game but second half we didn't have any chances. We didn't pass the ball quick enough and we defended terribly. Whatever you may say about the selection, we defended poorly on both goals. The first goal should have been cleared by the goalkeeper, no question. And the second they were calling offside when he's not offside, so if you're going to make decisions like that then you are going to lose football matches.”
“They changed their system after about 25 minutes and went to three at the back, five in midfield and two up front. We knew we had to cope with that and we did for 20 minutes first half no problem. They got some momentum going, and to be honest, I didn't think that they were going to score until we gave them the goal. It was back and forth but obviously the goal lifted them and then we matched them up and the goal that they scored for the second one was just a flick-on. The player took it well but he had so much space.”
“First half Scott Vernon and Chris Hall did very well. They looked lively, looked as if they could hold it up and caused problems and we were a bit unfortunate. We got a perfect start with the penalty, and it was a penalty, he took it well and we were passing the ball and dominating the match. It's difficult as a manager to explain because we didn't look the same team 2nd. half. First half we looked a good side.”