Defeat for Youth Team

Last updated : 21 February 2013 By Andy Ashworth

It was a young side once more, with the 2nd year youngsters all being left out of the match day squad following their involvement in the Development Squad defeat against Everton. This meant a 15 man squad consisting of 1st years and schoolboys, including U-15 forward Khius Metz on the bench. 

Evan Galvin suffered an early injury

Now from my point of view Oldham have a reputation in the Alliance League. They are always a big, strong side who are firm in the tackle and they always like to throw colourful language directly at the ref. It didn’t take long to reaffirm this as a very early challenge from behind on Evan Galvin led to a booking for the Latics captain and an hour of pitchside treatment followed by a trip to the hospital for our number 10. 

Despite the stoppage it was a decent start to the game with both sides creating chances. We had a penalty appeal turned down as a Lewis Nuttall drive seemed to strike the arm of a defender, but an award would have been harsh. Oldham came close through a free kick, lofted into the box and met by a powerful head, which smacked against the upright. 

Around 20 minutes in the visitors did take the lead, with a simple passing move - that we just couldn’t break up – ending with a simple finish under the sprawling Callum Jakovlevs. 

We again went through a phase of chances for both teams. At the other end Luke Daly had a looping deflected cross cleared off the line. Oldham again opened us up and should have scored, but their forward chose incorrectly when a square ball was on and instead fire in a shot from an angle. Jakovlevs stood firm and saved well with his legs. Youngster Metz had a glorious chance to sweep home following good wing play by Nuttall, but the Latics keeper blocked well. 

However, before the interval we shipped a 2nd goal. Again Oldham just passed around us, creating space and using it well. Their movements were untracked and as the ball was finally played into the box an Oldham forward clipped home. 

The half time talk from Pash seemed to do the trick and we started the 2nd half with a greater level of drive. The wind did help to pen Oldham in, but it was our snappy tempo that gave us the upper hand. Within 5 minutes we had cut the deficit as we put together a lovely passing move that finished with Jamie Frost slotting home.

We continued to make chances but we’re not working the keeper. A bit of needle started creeping in as Nathan Lowe pulled the strings from the middle and the visitors became frustrated. Oldham we’re committing more fouls and it was giving us more opportunity to open them up with our set plays. However, the goal wasn’t coming and our tempo was dropping. We sought to shake things up with a double substitution as Cameron Dummigan and Ntumba Massanka replaced Waqas Azam and Lewis Nuttall. However, it didn’t give us the bounce we needed.

We continued to have the lion’s share of play and possession, and forced a number of corners with our adventurous wing play, but alas we could not get a deserved equaliser and the visitors stood firm and repelled our attacks well.

We now wait for news on Galvin and hope that his ankle injury is not a serious one.

Team:- Callum Jakovlevs, Waqas Azam (Cameron Dummigan), Christian Hill, Charlie Holt, Alex Whitmore, Luke Day, Nathan Lowe, Jamie Frost, Brad Jackson, Lewis Nuttall (Ntumba Massanka), Evan Galvin (Khius Metz).
Sub not used:- Conor Mitchell.