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| Two goals for Dominic Knowles |
Only trialist goalkeeper Marek Stech had played any league football in what was a makeshift Burnley side that saw two central midfielders, Archie Love and Dave Lynch, playing in the back four. Oldham, meanwhile, had seven players in their line up who have played league football this season.
The start was a shocking. Love hit a back pass too short in just the fifth minute and that allowed Matt Smith the easiest of chances to give Oldham the lead.
Within a minute the lead was doubled as right back Carl Winchester stormed forward and beat Stech on his near post. We looked shell shocked and the only positive news was that it took Oldham until the 18th minute to add a third goal when Filipe Morais was given the easiest of chances by Winchester.
It really could have been more as the home side took total control but as half time approached there were signs of the Clarets getting into the game. Dominic Knowles saw a close range effort cleared off the line, we finally forced their goalkeeper into a couple of saves but he could do nothing as Steven Hewitt was so unlucky to see a header come back off the bar following a right wing corner.
Even so, 3-0 down at half time left us with a mountain to climb and there didn't look to be too much likelihood of that happening although I jokingly told one Burnley supporter on the touchline that we'd come back and win it.
The second half was so different. Maybe they took the foot off the pedal but now they found themselves in a game. We took control of the centre of the pitch with Hewitt and Alex-Ray Harvey now in charge. Knowles and Shay McCartan were beginning to cause them problems, particularly McCartan whose pace was proving to be difficult for them.
With 18 minutes of the second half gone we got back into the game as Hewitt volleyed home from a corner and now much of the play was towards the Oldham goal.
We had a couple of scares but on 72 minutes we won a penalty when Knowles was brought down in the box. The referee had been telling the players all afternoon: "Don't foul, don't foul," but this time his advice was ignored.
Knowles got up to net the spot kick and with 8 minutes remaining he was on the mark again. Adam Evans managed to block a clearance and did enough as the ball fell for Knowles who took his chance superbly from the edge of the box.
We were surging forward now and only a brilliant save to deny my man of the match McCartan prevented the Clarets from coming home with all three points.
The teams were;
Oldham: Dale Connor, Carl Winchester, Bradley Diallo, Ryan Burns, Matt Carr, James Tarkowski, Kirk Millar, David Mellor, Matt Smith, Filipe Morais, Connor Hughes. Subs: Kyle Riley, Luke Simpson, Alex Parkes, Sam Fitzgerald, Glen Belezika.
Burnley: Marek Stech, Aryn Williams (Adam Evans 59), Alex Coleman, Archie Love, Dave Lynch, Ross Wilson, Steven Hewitt, Alex-Ray Harvey, Mehdi Lazaar, Dominic Knowles, Shay McCartan. Subs not used: Josh Cook, Jack Errington, Alex Mullin.