Clarets keep winning run going

Last updated : 30 October 2011 By Andy Ashworth
Steven Hewitt - wonder goal to win it

Following their inclusion with the 1st team and midweek game vs. Accrington, Shay McCartan and Hewitt found themselves dropped to the bench, with U-16 players Lewis Nuttall and Jordan Scott replacing them. The only other change saw Jack Errington brought in to the defence, allowing the previously ever present Alex Coleman a break. 

The opening 15 minutes of the game were quite quiet and we struggled to stamp our authority on it. Oldham had former Claret Cofex striker Carlton McIntosh up front and he was giving Tom Anderson a good physical test. They also had good pace on the right flank meaning that Luke Conlan had to be on the top of his game to snuff out the threat that posed. 

After the quarter hour mark had passed Oldham took the lead and it was a good strike, with a shot fired into the top corner from over 25 yards out. We weren’t in arrears for long though and it was a lovely move that allowed us to level things. 

Starting in the left back position with Conlan we broke, passing the ball out and around the retreating Oldham team. We moved the ball progressively across the pitch until Archie Love fed Jason Gilchrist in the right side of the Oldham box. He lost his footing slightly but still managed to get the ball across allowing Adam Evans to stroke home. 

Shortly after Nuttall was a touch unlucky when he ran on to a bouncing ball and beat the charging keeper to it, but his touch was on the stretch and it took the ball too far away from him, preventing him from getting an opportunity at the open goal. 

At the back our entire defence was holding up well and Josh Cook in goals remained largely untested for the remainder of the 1st half. Unfortunately Oldham’s defence was doing the same and the half finished level at 1-1.

The 2nd half had several chances for both sides. Oldham saw a volley from seemingly under the bar go the wrong side of the woodwork, and a shot from the left parried by Cook could have been bundled in if the keeper and an Oldham forward hadn’t collided and seen play stopped. 

Most of our opportunities were coming down the right wing where Aryn Williams, looking quite fresh despite turning 18 on Friday, was overlapping and combining well with Evans. The full back saw a shot hit the side netting and fire in a dangerous low cross that no-one gambled on. On the other side Conlan streaked into the box and shot just wide too – both full backs were having excellent games. 

We brought on the heavy hitters for the last 20 minutes as we tried to find the winner, with Hewitt and McCartan replacing the two youngsters, who had both put in good shifts and added to their experience. 

McCartan’s pace caused problems and Hewitt is clearly brimming with confidence, wanting the ball and dictating the tempo. The visitors were standing fast though and it looked like it may have to be a point we were settling for. 

However, McCartan collected the ball on the left and cut past a defender, drawing a foul right on the corner of the box. Errington and Anderson came up from the back but it was just a diversion as Hewitt struck a wonder goal directly into the far top corner. According to Tony Philliskirk it would have still gone in if they had three keepers, such was its quality. It was certainly a strike worthy of winning any game. 

Team:- Josh Cook, Aryn Williams, Luke Conlan, Jack Errington, Tom Anderson, Jordan Scott (Steven Hewitt), Archie Love, Alex Mullin, Adam Evans, Lewis Nuttall (Shay McCartan), Jason Gilchrist
Subs not used:- Callum Jakovlevs, Alex Coleman, Charlie Holt