Points Shared in War of Roses

It’s really looking like a hard fight to stay up but on a brighter note we have pulled one more point clear from the relegation zone, we have got a game in hand over the rest and our goal difference is so good for a team that low down that it’s worth another point in affect.

There was two changes in the starting lineup saw Calvin Zola drop out of the team and not making a place on the bench, Scott Vernon replaced him upfront. David Eyres dropped to the bench and Ernie Cooksey took his place following suspension. Will Haining and Wes Wilkinson found places on the bench.

Now to the action and it was Oldham who created the first chance of sorts. In the first minute a free kick was awarded, Darren Sheridan flighted a cross from the free kick which was just too high for anyone to get a touch on.

A couple of minutes later Paul Murray went down the right wing and managed to pass the ball across the box under heavy pressure, the ball somehow found it’s way through a crowd of players to an unmarked Ernie Cooksey but his shot was well charged down by the Barnsley defence.

Barnsley first tester came through former Notts County striker Mark Stallard, his volley was shot straight at a grateful Pogliacomi though.

The fast pace to the start of the game produced another chance early on. A good run by John Eyre down the right, Michael Clegg was found with a pass and he crossed to Murray and he fired a shot through a crowd of players which Marlon Beresford did well to hold on to.

11 minutes into the game Oldham created yet another chance, a good cross from the right from John Eyre reached Scott Vernon who volleyed just wide from just outside the box.

On 14 minutes Daniel Nardiello who is on loan from Manchester United went down in the box theatrically after a tangle with Adam Griffin, from what I saw I thought Nardiello was unlucky not to get the penalty, maybe his theatrics were the reason why he didn’t get anything

Minutes later Nardiello went down in the box again after running out of space to put a shot in, this time there was no sign of a touch on him, very lucky not to get booked.

Michael Clegg made a run forward midway through the half, he ran with purpose and struck a strong shot that went just wide, Michael has never scored for the first team since he arrived, most of his efforts are decent but just miss the target, it will come someday.

Nardiello who was being a right pain to the Oldham defence eventually got a booking for arguing with the referee over a decision that went against him, even after he was booked he was still giving Mr. Gallagher some abuse, very lucky even to be on the pitch at this point.

Barnsley goalkeeper Marlon Beresford made a fantastic double save first from Scott Vernon and then from Chris Killen who could have maybe have made Beresford work harder for his save. Murray was playing very committed, a fantastic piece of skill created the chance, he has definitely been showing fantastic commitment for a few weeks now.

With half an hour gone Antony Kay flew in a low cross across the face of goal without getting the finish it deserve, the Latics escaped from this chance.

A mistake by Dean Holden let Nardiello in to run at goal but Holden made amends and superbly tackled him to concede a corner. The first corner was headed back out for another corner by Darren Sheridan, the next corner was flung in and Nardiello managed to force his head at the ball under heavy challenging to put Barnsley infront, Pogliacomi failed to collect the cross which he came for.

More bad news was to follow as Killen went down after a struggle with a Barnsley midfielder, it forced him off yet again. Another injury strike unlucky Killen. Just before the break Wes Wilkinson replaced Killen and with his first shot in injury time nearly forced the equaliser.

The whistle went for the first half. Oldham had played well and were unlucky to be behind.  

Before the game restarted John Eyre was taken off and replaced by Danny Boshell, not sure whether it was for injury or for tactical reasons were unknown.

Oldham did equalise 7 minutes into the second half from a Paul Murray header across the face of the goal. A fantastic cross from Michael Clegg found Muzza unmarked ten yards out.

With a renewed sense of confidence Oldham started attacking with more purpose, Ernie Cooksey went close with a header following good build up play from Wilkinson and Boshell.

Pogliacomi wasn’t looking too confident as the game went on. He was making silly mistakes, not going for balls going into the area, miskicking, his body language showed he was very uncomfortable. Barnsley squandered a chance on 70 minutes. Alex Neil hit a shot over the bar from the edge of the box.

Nardiello hit a hopeful shot into the side netting on 76 minutes. Oldham went up the pitch and Wilkinson used his trickery and pace to good effect, he broke clear tried to round the keeper but Beresford got a hand to the ball and effectively ended the attack. Danny Boshell was next to have a shot at goal, he was a fair way out and his low bobbling shot was well claimed again.

The Tykes brought on Jacob Burns on 12 minutes from time as Mark Stallard made his way off, Burns introduction almost proved a superb decision as Burns himself struck a superb strike which Pogliacomi did well to save.

Scott Vernon had the last chance of the game, he just sent a header just wide of goal from a Dean Holden cross.

An improvement in performance tonight by Oldham, still room for improvement however as passing at times was again woeful and the defence looked very weak and nerovus. Barnsley looked the better footballing side.