The Latics continued their recent improved run and recorded their fourth win in five outings but it was a nail biter for sure. Barnsley took the lead in the 12th. minute through Boulding after Beharall failed to clear the ball and the Barnsley man scored from his shins from six yards out. Within five minutes the Latics were level as Chris Killen (pictured) side footed home a low cross from the right wing. Barnsley were in command for the remainder of the half although Aaron Wilbraham came close on a couple of occasions.Oldham Athletic 3 Barnsley 2
The Latics continued their recent improved run and recorded their fourth win in five outings but it was a nail biter for sure. Barnsley took the lead in the 12th. minute through Boulding after Beharall failed to clear the ball and the Barnsley man scored from his shins from six yards out. Within five minutes the Latics were level as Chris Killen (pictured) side footed home a low cross from the right wing. Barnsley were in command for the remainder of the half although Aaron Wilbraham came close on a couple of occasions.The visitors went ahead again in the 55th. minute when Carbon bulleted in a header from a corner, although Chopra was adjudged to have had the last touch and the Barnsley faithful sensed that this was going to be their day. Eight minutes from the end the Latics were level again when Scott Vernon headed home a neat flick from Mark Hughes.
As injury time beckoned the unthinkable happened and the Latics scored a third goal. Kilkenny sent in a curling corner to which Killen said, “Thank you very much” as he rocketed the ball into the net from close range. There were another four minutes of agony in injury time, but the Latics for once kept cool and defended their lead well to grab a vital three points and leap frog Barnsley in the process. Could this be the turning point. Next week will tell when they travel to high flying Bradford.
A relieved Brian Talbot commented after the game, “The result was more important than anything today. Fortunately we got it. It didn't look like we were going to get back into the game when it was 2-1. No-one thought that we could have scored two goals and then the three substitutes came on. Vernon scored and Kilkenny put a great corner in for the winning goal. It paid off and we've got to be pleased, and thankful, that we got the 3 points. I always say it's better to be lucky than good. I think this is definitely ageing me and given me more grey hairs! But I've got to be pleased with the win today. To get three points against a team that are fighting relegation as well, we're pleased. We know we've got to defend better and we know we can do better.”
“I thought going forward we could score goals first half. I thought, without being rude to them, they didn't defend well either. The defences of both teams were poor and I thought we could have come in at half time with another couple of goals, but they could have done, easily. There weren't quite as many chances second half but there was still mistakes being made. I suppose they've got to be very disappointed that in the dying minutes of the game we got a free header in the six-yard box to get the winning goal. I think that people will look at the statistics and they will be surprised. But we're pleased with it. We've got four wins in five and we're hoping that this will be a turning point for us. It has been a difficult season, no doubt about it. I'll be pleased when I get some of my injured players back but we keep rolling, we keep battling, and we'll have to see what happens.”