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Heroic end to an epic journey
Reporter: Matthew Chambers
Date online: 27 February 2013
Everton 3, Athletic 1
Latics’ cup kings give town a club to cherish
ATHLETIC were left reflecting on the prize of the journey itself as the club proudly bowed out of the FA Cup.
The story is over. But what a story!
Looking back, it featured an incredible seven-minute, second-half turnaround at Nottingham Forest and the startling coming-of-age of monstrous striker Matt Smith, who further enhanced his reputation at Goodison Park
There was also the clinging on for a final few agonising minutes against the other Merseyside club, whose talisman Steven Gerrard hit a vicious shot which rattled the crossbar.
There is to be no repeat Wembley trip for Athletic, but what is beyond doubt is that thanks to this epic adventure, the club is back on the map.
More vital than every pound the run has dropped into Boundary Park’s bank account is that the town loves Athletic again. And didn’t the supporters who made it to Goodison Park show it? The fans displayed their adoration by straining their lungs for three solid hours.
For now, they also have a manager who cares just as much as they do.
Tony Philliskirk, who has developed and coached talent within Boundary Park for 15 years, will view Athletic’s defensive efforts on the big night clinically. The goals conceded were poor ones to give away.
First, there was Darron Gibson’s cross from deep which Mirallas swept in after sneaking beyond the back line.
Soon afterwards, Athletic were dreadfully unlucky twice: Baxter struck the inside of the far post with a beautiful shot, and referee Oliver ignored calls for handball as Gibson cradled a hurried clearance with his arm.
Everton were well on top in the first half, but in the second Athletic were the better side, invigorated by the introduction of Smith, who headed home unmarked from Jonathan Grounds’ corner.
Osman and Gibson missed with good opportunities to embellish Everton’s lead on the counter-attack as the visitors, to their credit, ended strongly. It just wasn't to be.
The supporters roared in pride as the club’s FA Cup flame finally burned out. What an occasion, again. What a ride.
Comments
The players should be very proud of themselves. We were not overawed by the premier league opponents. I wonder if we should have started with Smith instead of Iwelumo. Sadly Bouzanis had a poor game which didn't help.
I love it when Matt Smith is interviewed, he is so modest and sounds like the brainy bloke that he clearly is.
Pity all the others around us won last night but playing like this we should be okay.
If only we had been awarded the blatant penalty it could well have been a different story. I dont say we would have won but it would have more interesting knowing we werent playing the referee as well. These prima donnas have an awful lot to answer for and one questions at times what is the use of watching football whwn you see this week in week out. I can think of two very good reasons why OLDHAM ATHLETIC
I agree with emidexile about the penalty decision, how the ref could give theirs which was virtually pointblank going across his chest, then ignore ours when he clearly cradled the ball to gain advantage
Don't want to sound churlish but we definitely missed a trick last night. Reading Everton fans' postings on the Echo website, it's pretty apparent that most of them were mighty relieved at the end.They were so silent cos they were expecting the worst. As funkster says, more guile and a more aggressive approach,'ugly' as RS said, and we could have been in R6. Just why didn't we start with MS? Is he still not 100%? Got to be 100% positive against the Blades and TR otherwise back in quicksand.
Have Your Say
silly goals we gave away and no luck at the other end. i feel as though we were expected to lose and thats what happened but with a bit more guile leadership form the touchline we could have nicked it.simon has to focus now on getting the right managment team in ASAP now the cup run is over.
By funkster37 @ 27/02/2013 13:37:02