Latics show plenty of promise

Photo: TOM PICKLES

RUNNING MAN: Athletic substitute Darren Byfield looks for a way round the Stockport County defence.

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Oldham 0, Stockport 0

SOMETIMES you have to examine the bigger picture. At first glance, a goalless draw at home to a team tipped to be relegated is hardly a result to send the pulse racing.

But Athletic are a project in progress and this was certainly a step in the right direction.

Of course, Dave Penney’s new-look side will face tougher challenges than that posed by a youthful and determined Stockport County outfit in Coca-Cola League One, but the positives far outweighed the negatives and I suspect even the most sceptical of Athletic fans saw enough to convince them that brighter days are on the horizon.

Of course Athletic should have won this game, and comfortably so.

That they did not do so was down to some poor finishing and an inspired performance from County goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams.

The Welshman produced a string of fine saves in the second half and if he had luck on his side on one or two occasions, he undoubtedly deserved it.

The majority of Athletic’s chances fell to Pawel Abbott, one of eight new players in the Athletic starting XI. Only Reuben Hazell, Sean Gregan and Chris Taylor remained from last season.

Abbott led the line well, showing guile, invention and a healthy appetite for work. But his finishing did not match his other qualities and his team-mates were equally guilty of squandering chances.

After an impeccably-observed minute’s applause to celebrate the life of Sir Bobby Robson, both sets of fans were in the mood for football’s big kick-off and a North-West derby which promised pride and passion.

But both those qualities were lacking during a mundane first 25 minutes which County shaded by virtue of a superior ability to keep hold of the ball.

Athletic’s passing was poor and though they worked hard to regain possession, there was precious little for the home fans to cheer.

That said, the Boundary Park faithful recognised the need for patience with a side packed with new faces and they were rewarded with an improved showing as the first half wore on.

Midfield enforcer Jon Worthington set the tempo with several strong challenges, while another new boy, Andy Holdsworth, produced some effective work on the right side of midfield.

Abbott and his strike partner Keigan Parker were struggling to get into the game, but the former suddenly sprang into life when he bamboozled two defenders in the penalty box and appeared to be clipped by Michael Rose.

However, referee Oliver Langford ruled there had been no contact, leaving Abbott with his head in his hands.

More good work by Holdsworth set up a chance for central midfielder Dean Furman, but his miscued shot rolled tamely wide.

And when Worthington was off target following clever play by Abbott and a Keigan Parker volley was deflected for a corner, you got the feeling that Athletic were going to find it mighty hard to break the deadlock.

That suspicion was confirmed when Abbott’s sweet volley sailed three yards wide of the post, but the Athletic centre forward is clearly nothing if not persistent and he began the second half with another nice touch to set up Taylor, whose crisp shot flew straight into keeper Williams’ midriff.

The highly-rated Furman was beginning to have a greater influence on the game and he found himself in a fine position on the edge of the six-yard box, only to screw his shot wide.

Athletic were totally dominant and Furman went close for a second time when Williams was called upon to block his shot at the near post.

Athletic appeared to have finally broken the deadlock when Furman’s low volley flew through a crowd of players and looked destined for the bottom corner of the net.

However, Fon Williams somehow kept out the shot despite being unsighted and the ’keeper made another terrific save moments later when he denied the persistent Abbott from point-blank range.

Taylor, who injured his groin while chasing back to foil a rare County raid, was replaced by Danny Whitaker, while Parker’s place up front went to Darren Byfield.

Whitaker’s cross found Abbott, whose goalbound header struck Rose, but handball appeals were waved away by referee Langford.

Whitaker was in the thick of the action again moments later when his teasing cross evaded Williams but was headed off the line by Gianluca Havern.

Athletic were building up a head of steam, but the ball would not go in the net and Penney played his final card with the introduction of Lewis Alessandra in place of Holdsworth.

County were intent on survival but a rare attack in the last minute of normal time culminated in a well-struck shot by Greg Tansey which flew straight at Athletic ’keeper Dean Brill. It was the visitors’ first shot on target in the whole game, such was Athletic’s dominance.

Four minutes of injury time gave Athletic renewed hope and after Fon Williams was booked for time-wasting, Abbott had one last chance to grab the goal his display — and that of the team — deserved.

Shrugging off two challenges, the centre forward charged towards goal, but his left-foot shot was saved by Fon Williams who, fittingly, had the final say.

Athletic’s frustration at the final whistle was evident, but they should not be too hard on themselves.

The defence, in which Sean Gregan was commanding and debutant full-backs Alex Marrow and Peter Gilbert looked comfortable, was rarely troubled, while in midfield the combative Worthington, skilful Furman and the industrious Taylor and Holdsworth grew in stature as the game progressed.

Abbott and Parker were more effective in the second half as Athletic’s midfield players provided support, and the overall impression was one of much promise. This is a team which, as it develops, should hold its own in a competitive division.

Penney: All that was missing was the goal

IT MAY not have been the dream start he craved, but new Athletic boss Dave Penney was rightly satisfied with his team’s display.

Doubts had been raised about the team’s ability to gel with so many new players involved, but Penney said: “Other than not getting the goal I thought they did well.

“We looked solid and compact and a threat going forward. All that was missing was the goal which is what all the top players get paid for.”

Penney admitted his team started nervously.

“In the first 25 minutes the ball looked like a hot potato. We were a bit edgy after working six weeks for this game.

“We kept giving it away and then working our socks off to get it back. We needed to control the ball more and stop giving it away so cheaply.

“In the second half we were a lot better and obviously created a lot more chances.

“Their ’keeper (Owain Fon Williams) made some great saves to be fair, but you have got to be pleased if you make so many chances.

“We had 11 shots on target and three wide and if we keep making the chances the goals will come.”

Athletic leaked goals during their pre-season friendlies but, bolstered by new signings Alex Marrow and Peter Gilbert following Neal Eardley’s move to Blackpool on Friday, the defence looked much more solid against County.

Added Penney: “As I just said to the players, that was pleasing. We had struggled to keep a clean sheet in the last three games although we were playing against better opposition.

“We have strengthened with Alex Marrow and Peter Gilbert which we needed to do with Neal leaving and the injury to Joe Jacobson. I was delighted for Dean (Brill) and the back four that they got a clean sheet.”

The Athletic manager also paid tribute to Eardley, who left Boundary Park with the good wishes of the club.

Of his move to Blackpool, Penney said: “It was always going to happen.

“The lad is a good footballer. He looked like a Rolls Royce in the six weeks I had him here. He deserves his chance.”

Stockport boss Gary Ablett, who has been at the club for less than a month and is trying to steer his side through the choppy waters of administration, was rightly pleased to leave Boundary Park with a point.

He said: “I am delighted with the way we have started the season. The players have had a difficult summer, not really knowing what would happen at the club.

“If they keep showing the same attitude and determination we will be all right.

“Everyone is writing us off because of the administration and are expecting us to go down. We have a lot of people to prove wrong.

“You could see how much effort the players put in and our ’keeper made outstanding saves when we needed him.

“Owain really showed his quality. He is only young (22) but in my eyes he is one of the best ‘keepers in this division.”