Oldham Athletic 2 Huddersfield Town 1
Last updated : 11 December 2004 By The Chairman
The Latics continued their remarkable run with another victory, their seventh consecutive win and 9 games of their last 10 won, over Huddersfield. Holden could have put the Latics ahead in the first minute but his header went straight into ex-Latics keeper Rachubka’s arms.
They did take the lead in the fourth minute when Haining headed home a Kilkenny corner but Abbott levelled the scores minutes later with a well taken header. It was hectic stuff from then on with no side taking any prisoners. The Terriers had a goal disallowed for off-side in the 24th. minute but the Latics went ahead again seven minutes from half-time when Kevin Betsy scored with a fancy shot after a Killen flick on.
In the second half it was all exciting stuff with yellow cards, efforts at both ends, blood and guts tackles and miraculous saves, Pogliacomi being outstanding in this latter department. With four minutes of added time to endure it was nail biting stuff for the Latics faithful and Worthington almost grabbed an equaliser but Poggsy was equal to it once again. But hold on they did and it was another notch in the marvellous turn around of fortunes for a club which looked like relegation candidates after the first few matches of the season.
After the game assistant Manager Tony Philliskirk said, “This was our toughest test so far. We have a lot of young lads in the team and it has been a massive 3 weeks playing Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday and Saturday again. But I can't praise them enough. There were a lot of tired legs out there. We had to dig in and were hanging on at the end."
The big fellow (Les Pogliacomi) came to our rescue with some superb saves. It was another learning curve for our young players and they have been absolutely fantastic. There were physical elements but it is all part and parcel of the game. It was a great education for them and they were dead on their feet in the dressing room. Les was magnificent and pulled us out. We were under massive pressure but he showed he is one, if not the best keeper in our division. We owe him the points.”