Teenage kicks

Photo: Pictures: Vincent Brown

LEE Hughes side-steps Scunthorpe ’keeper Joe Murphy, but his effort was ruled out for offside.

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Oldham Athletic 3, Scunthorpe 0

WAY back in the mists of time — actually it was just under two years ago, but you can’t beat a bit of theatre — Lewis Alessandra scored a memorable hat-trick for Athletic’s youth team.

It was a stunning and high-class affair in the FA Youth Cup, involving three superb finishes which highlighted the quality in his game.

The potential has always been obvious and, before last night, Alessandra had shown glimpses of carrying that talent through to senior level.

Now he has made the king of all breakthroughs, with his treble against League One leaders Scunthorpe crowning a remarkable performance from an Athletic team about whom questions were being asked.

John Sheridan’s men were sensational and would not have been remotely flattered by double the scoreline against a Scunthorpe side who rolled into town with nine wins and two draws from their last 11 matches.

Scunthorpe played some very good stuff in the first half, but they were blown away once Alessandra — 19 years old and back in the team after being dropped altogether for Saturday’s big let-down at Swindon — had opened up a 2-0 lead.

What a response Athletic found to consecutive away defeats, and what a home record they have been building throughout this season.

It’s now 17 points from seven games, with 19 goals scored and only five conceded. The latter figure could have been pushed much higher last night, but Lee Hughes did everything except score, Chris Taylor hit the post and ’keeper Joe Murphy was Scunthorpe’s best performer.

Alessandra, however, stole the show, taking his tally to four this term and also displaying impressive technique with his link-up and hold-up play.

Athletic manager Sheridan said: “Lewi will get the limelight, and so he should because his all-round game was excellent.

“I thought both he and Lee Hughes caused Scunthorpe massive problems, and I’m really pleased for Lewi because strikers are judged on goals.

“Of the strikers we’ve got he’s the best at dealing with the ball into his feet. He’s a young lad who frustrates me at times, but he can do things like a Premier League player.

“I’ve left him out once or twice because he was short of goals, but I hope he can get that consistency into his game.

“He was a bit fortunate to get a deflection for his first, but it was good to see him having a shot from that sort of distance.

“He scored his second with excellent movement and the third was a brilliant strike — that’s the sort of performance he can give you.”

Athletic’s belief was in no way affected by their run of one victory in seven outings. They were a menace all night and Scunthorpe just couldn’t handle the pressure.

Hughes even had the ball in the net in the first 10 minutes, only to get his first taste of frustration when he was pulled back by a dubious offside flag.

Danny Whitaker then fired wide, while Hughes produced a sharp turn and a goalbound shot which ricocheted behind.

Scunthorpe, however, aren’t top without good reason, and the hugely accomplished Gary Hooper rounded Mark Crossley before shooting off target from a difficult angle.

Mark Allott then had to block from Martyn Woolford, but Athletic made their pressure count — a welcome bonus after the previous two games — when Whitaker found Alessandra five yards outside the box.

Alessandra showed the confidence to chance his arm and, with the aid of a heavy deflection, his drive left Murphy totally wrong-footed.

The hosts continued to press, with Hughes spearheading their attack as he cracked one shot inches over and glanced an awkward header wide.

Scunthorpe were nearly level at the break as Hooper was denied by Crossley’s smart save, but Athletic’s flair and commitment made them worth the lead.

There was another narrow escape after 50 minutes, a left-wing corner being met by Krystian Pearce, whose header struck the bar.

But within 30 seconds Athletic had doubled their money thanks to a sweet move which showed the football they are capable of playing at speed.

Full-back Neal Eardley charged down the right before his cross picked out Alessandra for a neat first-time finish.

And Athletic could have so easily added a quick third when Taylor had two shots blocked and Murphy dived full length to save from Hughes.

Never mind, not long to wait, and Alessandra completed his hat-trick with the pick of the bunch.

Eardley moved forward to provide another assist — a somewhat lucky one as he slipped while passing, but frankly no-one cared — and Alessandra took over by blasting a spectacular shot inside the far post.

Hughes, desperate to score, then missed two great chances and Taylor hit the inside of the post as shellshocked Scunthorpe disintegrated into chaos.

As a unit Athletic were terrific, but hats off to one young striker for the way he pinched the glory from his mates.