More questions than answers

FC Halifax Town 2, Athletic 1
MANAGER Dave Penney described Athletic’s defeat at non-league FC Halifax Town as “an eye-opener,” - and it was certainly that!

Though five senior players were given a night off, Athletic ought still to have had enough to defeat opponents five divisions below them in the footballing pyramid.

And the loss confirmed that a number of the players on view, especially the trialists, simply aren’t good enough for Coca-Cola League One.

Athletic lacked the defensive stability that Sean Gregan and Reuben Hazell provide, as well as the forward thrust of Chris Taylor, Deane Smalley and Pawel Abbott.

In the opening half Chris O’Grady scored a peach of a goal to give Athletic an early lead. He showed occasional flashes, but ought to have terrorised a UniBond League division one north defence.

Right-back Neal Eardley made some probing runs down the right, while Will Haining was solid at the back and Dean Furman busy and industrious in midfield alongside the hard-working Jon Worthinton.

But with eight changes made at the break, the second half proved a disjointed affair as Athletic lost their way. Only first-year professional Chris Rowney displayed any desire and passion in what was a miserable 45 minutes.

When O’Grady thundered home a spectacular shot from outside the box into the top corner after only five minutes, Athletic must have looked on it as a launchpad for a comfortable victory.

Eardley and Ryan Brooke both went close to doubling the advantage before Athletic were stunned by a Town equaliser on the half-hour when the ball was fired in low from the left and the defence failed to clear the danger, allowing Mark Peers fired home a low, angled drive.

Town, whose side included former Boundary Park pair Ryan Sugden and Mark Hotte, snatched victory with seven minutes left when Athletic’s offside trap was breached and substitute Marvin McDonald ran through to fire low past keeper Dean Brill.

First half: Brill, Eardley, Trialist, Worthington, Haining, Trialist (sub Trialist 40), Lee, Furman, O’Grady, Brooke, Trialist.

Second half: Brill, Lomax, Trialist, Haining, Jacobson, Lee (Trialist 63), Rowney, Whitaker, Black, Trialist, Alessandra.


WIGAN manager Roberto Martinez saw his side crash 1–0 at Coca–Cola League Two Crewe in his first friendly match in charge. Joe Grant’s 35th–minute goal, firing home at the second attempt after Chris Kirkland saved, was enough to claim the spoils at Gresty Road.

Martinez fielded several first–team regulars – such as Kirkland, Titus Bramble, Paul Scharner and Charles N’Zogbia – but a second–half effort from substitute Mario Melchiot that hit the post was as close as they came.