Southport 0 Oldham Athletic 5

Last updated : 19 July 2006 By The Chairman
Athletic followed up their 3-0 win over Halifax with a resounding 5-0 victory at Haigh Lane. In a one sided affair, Southport's young trialists found the experienced Latics squad too hot to handle early on. The Latics started off with a 3-1-4-2 formation which worked well. There was lots of one touch passing, a quick tempo and the Latics looked fairly sharp considering it was their first proper friendly match. The trialist Kande looks like a big bruising defender who would do a good job if his wage demands are not too high as we would fit in well. Gary McDonald also did well and looked good when he was going forward especially when Liddell dropped back or went out on to the wing.

Chris Hall (pictured) got a first half hat trick which was followed up by a goal from McDonald. Hall's first was knocked home from a quickly taken Wellens free kick and his second and third will make Sheridan take note, as he is making it difficult to be left out of the starting line up when the season opens. His third goal was a delicate header from a Liddell cross. McDonald's goal was a beautifully taken, outside of the boot lob over the goalkeeper. The half time score was 4-0. The closest that Southport came was a Matty McGinn 30 yarder which struck the post.

Sheridan made nine substitutions in the second half and reverted to a 4-4-2 formation. The Latics took their foot off the pedal in the second half and the play was not as entertaining although there were some nice moments. Injuries forced the formation to a 4-3-3 set up. Moussa Dabo, a 24 year old French midfielder, looked comfortable up front and could be worth another look. Six minutes from time Matty Wolfenden made it five when he was put through. He made no mistake in curling it round the out rushing keeper to seal an impressive win for John Sheridan's new boys. A sterner test will be undertaken when the Latics visit Shrewsbury on Friday but with two games gone, 8 goals for and none against, it starting to look promising.