Dramatic late twist aids play-off push

Photo: pictures by MAX FLEGO

Dean Smalley gets a hug from strike partner Lee Hughes and Mark Allott.

6 More Image(s) In Gallery

Millwall 2, Athletic 3

THEY say fortune favours the brave and John Sheridan was certainly vindicated in his decision to ring the changes for Saturday’s vital Coca-Cola League One match at Millwall.

After winning only one of their previous six league matches, the Athletic manager made five alterations at the New Den in a bid to end their worrying dip in form.

It worked the oracle with a much-improved performance and more importantly victory.

The win was just as dramatic as the one against the Lions at Boundary Park on the opening day of the season when Athletic scored two late goals.

Forward more than six months and Chris Taylor was on hand to score an injury-time winner.

It had looked as though Athletic had thrown away a much-needed three points. Leading 2-0 ahead inside 10 minutes, they allowed Millwall to draw level.

But as Athletic supporters started to reflect on two more points slipping through their fingers, Taylor popped up to leave Millwall empty handed for a second time this season.

And as the final whistle sounded, the elation and embracing of the players underlined what an important victory this could prove in their quest for a play-off place.

Any Athletic fan at the New Den would have found it hard to believe the contrast between the pitiful second-half performance against Bristol Rovers and the dominant display in the opening period on Saturday. They were light years apart.

The fact that Sheridan had made so many changes, showed he had finally lost patience with many of his players. This was a huge kick up the backside from the manager.

Sheridan axed Jan Budtz, Seb Hines, Scott Golbourne, Danny Whitaker and Dean Windass, who didn’t even make the matchday 16.

Greg Fleming returned in goal, Neal Eardley and Daniel Jones were the new full-back pairing, Kevin Maher was recalled in midfield and there was a debut for new on-loan striker Steve Kabba.

The impact was sudden, with Athletic going ahead in the fifth minute from Eardley’s flighted cross.

Deane Smalley met the ball and, with the aid of ’keeper David Forde, who allowed the shot to trickle through his legs, Athletic were up and running.

It got better for the visitors moments later when Lee Hughes, who hit a hat-trick at the New Den last season, silenced the boo boys with his 16th goal of the season.

The striker produced a superb-flicked header from Maher’s free-kick, which was awarded after the lively Kabba was fouled.

Athletic were in complete control for the remainder of the half, and the home fans made their displeasure known, sending the Millwall players in at half-time with a chorus of jeers ringing in their ears.

Hughes should have landed the knockout punch with a third goal early in the second half when he burst through on goal. Instead of shooting on sight he tried to round the ’keeper, who saved bravely at his feet.

Millwall played with more purpose and desire after the interval, and one could sense they were not going to go down without a fight.

They pulled a goal back 10 minutes after the restart when Athletic’s defence was split open by a diagonal ball and Eardley was left facing two Millwall players. The Wales international had little choice but to bring down David Martin. Neil Harris converted the penalty.

Suddenly the crowd came alive and it was hard to believe the noise generated by the attendance of 8,551. The din was deafening.

It got even better for the home fans when former Manchester City youngster Ashley Grimes cut in from the left before curling an exquisite shot beyond the reach of Fleming.

Millwall, who had collected only one point from their three previous home matches, sensed three points were on the cards.

Both teams went toe-to-toe in an absorbing final quarter of the match in which Smalley and Kabba both had clear-cut chances but each time failed to hit the target.

Significantly Smalley and Taylor swapped wings for the final 10 minutes, with the latter returning to the left flank, from where he made his run to send Athletic fans home in ecstasy.

But a lot of the credit must go to Maher. He displayed everything that had been missing in midfield, the ability to deliver a defence-splitting pass. He produced a great ball for Taylor, who saw his close-range header go in off the upright.

It was Taylor’s ninth goal of the season and probably his most vital in the context of Athletic’s push for promotion.




Goal could be turning point, says hero Taylor



CHRIS TAYLOR believes his last-gasp match-winner against play-off rivals Millwall could be one of the most important goals of his career.



After Athletic had surrendered a two-goal lead, it was left to the 22-year-old winger to seize victory in the second minute of stoppage time.

“It was a big goal and a big win,” said Taylor. “The players are absolutely thrilled. We’re all buzzing and everybody was hugging each other in the dressing room afterwards.

“It has come at a crunch time of the season. If we had only picked up a point, Leeds would have been breathing down our necks.

“To be honest I thought we were going to throw two points away, but in the end the boys dug deep, and full credit to them.

“I may have got the winner, but there were 11 good performances out on the field.

“Millwall pulled it back in the second half, but then to go on and win the game shows good spirit from the lads.

“It will hopefully give us a boost for the rest of the season.”

Taylor, who had switched to left flank for the final 10 minutes, was set up by Kevin Maher.

He explained: “I saw Kevin pick up the ball and I knew where he was going to play it, so I went for it.

“Millwall’s right-back didn’t see me make my run and I got my head to the ball. As soon as I made contact, I knew it was in.”

Athletic manager John Sheridan thought his side was in complete control in the first half only to take their foot off the pedal after the restart.

He said: “We allowed them back into the game too easily, and I think it was due to us being sloppy.

“Overall, I thought we played very well and deserved to win.

“This is a hard place to come to and we knew there would be times when we would have to defend.

“I was disappointed we allowed them to draw level, but we weathered the storm and it was very pleasing to snatch the win. We needed the three points.”

Sheridan was delighted with the debut display of Steve Kabba, highlighting his work rate and pace, which continually troubled the Millwall defence.

The Athletic chief also thought Lee Hughes, the scorer of the second goal, had his best game for some time.

For Millwall manager Kenny Jackett, defeat was hard to stomach.

He went on: “Oldham have taken six points off us after two very close games.

“We started the game poorly but came out with more purpose in the second half. We need to start games like that.”

To order this Picture Quote Number "zzzz57" and send to pictures@oldham-chronicle.co.uk or telephone 0161-633 2121