We were found wanting — Dickov

FORWARD MOVES . . . Athletic strikers Pawel Abbott tries to take the game to a youthful Liverpool side.

Latics boss upset by manner of defeat

Athletic 0, Liverpool 3

ATHLETIC saw their dreams of lifting the Lancashire Senior Cup shattered as a youthful Liverpool XI sauntered to a comfortable 3-0 victory.

Sharper passing and quicker decision-making ensured the Merseyside outfit were never in any danger of missing out on the coveted silverware.

But Athletic did not do themselves any favours, missing several good chances and giving away three avoidable goals, the second of which proved to be a psychological blow just before the interval.

A healthy turnout at the Lancashire FA’s Leyland headquarters included many fans from Oldham, but despite their vocal support, Athletic had no an answer to Liverpool’s confident ball retention after the break.

Athletic Boss Paul Dickov cut an increasingly frustrated figure as the match wore on and he did not pull any punches after the final whistle.

He said: “I think we were poor and I’m very disappointed with the performance.

“We started brightly and in the first 15 minutes we did the nasty things well, but after that we didn’t.

“I told the boys afterwards, I can accept being out-played, I’m not stupid or naive enough to think we are going to dominate every match this season and pass teams to death.

“What I can’t accept is being out-fought and out-worked, the players know that is the bare minimum. I’ve had them for four weeks now, every day I tell them what it is I expect of them.

“I’m not saying they didn’t work hard, no one goes out there and deliberately doesn’t pull their weight.

“But in terms of closing the ball down, covering a team mate’s position at the right times, showing that will and passion, we were found wanting, and that’s what I can’t accept.”

The player-boss, who did not feature in the squad, found words of encouragement for three of his men.

He added: “Andy Holdsworth’s performance was a big plus for us. When you consider he has been out for seven months, to get 55 minutes out of him was a big step forward.

“Young Andrew Crompton came on and tried to do the right things, he was very bright and wanted the ball all the time.

“And big Tom Eaves did what we asked of him, which was hold the ball up and bring others into play. The ball stuck when it reached him.”

The bright start to which Dickov was referring saw Pawel Abbott spurn a chance barely 60 seconds into proceedings.

Kirk Millar’s right wing delivery was well placed for Abbott, but the forward found himself off balance and his volley spun harmlessly wide.

Four minutes later Millar again found room to whip in a testing cross after a nice Warren Feeney pass, but the ball evaded everyone in a busy penalty area.

Trialist Alex Pursehouse, who made a shaky start, was skinned by wide man Vincent Weijl after nine minutes and was relieved to see the youngster’s curler fly past the awaiting strikers.

But Pursehouse made up for it two minutes later with a well-timed tackle on Gerardo Bruma, who was closing in on goal. After that the full-back, looking to earn a deal at Athletic, gave a more assured display.

Athletic should have taken the lead after 15 minutes when Holdsworth and Abbott combined to release Feeney inside the box, only for his shot to end up in ’keeper Dean Bouzanis’s arms.

Once Liverpool found their rhythm it was an uphill struggle.

Quick feet in the middle of the park subdued the likes of Djeny Bembo-Leta and Rod McDonald at times.

Liverpool took the lead after 30 minutes. John Flanagan found Nicolaj Kohlert, who was given too much time to turn and pass to Bruma, who smashed the ball into the right-hand corner of Greg Fleming’s net.

The lively Millar was forced to withdraw following a kick on the calf. He was replaced by Francois Kompany.

The crucial moment came two minutes before half time. Joe Colbeck switched off from tracking-back duties and when Bruma’s powerful effort from the edge of the box was blocked, defender Alex Cooper followed up to convert the rebound from 12 yards.

Eaves replaced Feeney at the break to give an extra dimension to the attack and Crompton came on for Holdsworth 10 minutes later, but Athletic were already fighting a losing battle.

A glorious Crompton pass over the top of the Liverpool defence midway through the second half found the outstretched boot of Abbott, whose shot was palmed onto the post and out for a corner.

But it proved to be the peak of Athletic’s efforts to get back into the game.

Liverpool regained control and after 75 minutes punished their opponents with a breakaway goal, Toni Brito Silva latching on to a long clearance to cooly slot the ball past the despairing Fleming from close range.