Latics aiming to cut down Blades

PLAY IT AGAIN . . . Athletic will be looking to repeat last season’s 1-0 home victory over Huddesfield when the Terriers visit Boundary Park in September. Ourmare Tounkara, pictured scoring the winning goal, was Athletic’s hero on that occasion.

SHEFFIELD United look set to provide stiff opposition for Athletic in an attractive opening fixture for next season (see full list below).

The relegated South Yorkshire side have been installed as fourth favourites by most bookmakers to scoop the npower League One title in 2011-12, behind another demoted club Preston North End, city rivals Sheffield Wednesday and play-off finalists Huddersfield Town.

The Blades start the season under the care of a new manager in Danny Wilson — a controversial choice for many supporters of the club as a result of his past ties with Wednesday, the club he played for and later managed.

Previous United manager Micky Adams was sacked after the club ended the season second-bottom of the Championship.

After that testing opener on Saturday, August 6, Athletic's next league game is away at Yeovil. Huish Park was the scene of a disappointing 1-1 draw last time out, a result the Glovers achieved despite being reduced to 10 men.

Another relegated club, Scunthorpe United, host Paul Dickov's men in a midweek game in the opening month, which also features one of relatively-few long trips south to Colchester.

And the visit of derby rivals Rochdale to Boundary Park leaps out from the list as Athletic's fourth league game. The reverse fixture at Spotland is on Saturday, March 17.

Nearby Huddersfield traverse the Pennines to visit Boundary Park on Saturday, September 3, looking to avenge a 1-0 defeat last season which could easily have been heavier.

The fixtures computer has been kind to Athletic over Christmas.

Hartlepool are the visitors on Boxing Day, another home game follows against Notts County on New Year's Eve and a first-ever trip to promoted Chesterfield's new B2net Stadium comes on Monday, January 2.

Sheffield Wednesday host Athletic in the Easter Monday game on April 9, while the season rounds off with a game at Bury on Saturday, April 28, and a home clash with Carlisle United on Saturday, May 5.

Clubs have until Monday, June 27, to make alterations to their fixtures.

But Athletic aren't expected to request any changes.



Fixtures for season 2011-12




Oldham Athletic



August

6 Sheff Utd (H)

13 Yeovil (A)

16 Scunthorpe (A)

20 Rochdale (H)

27 Colchester (A)



September

3 Huddersfield (H)

10 Stevenage (H)

13 Walsall (A)

17 Leyton Orient (A)

24 Brentford (H)



October

1 Exeter (A)

8 Milton Keynes Dons (H)

15 Tranmere (A)

22 Wycombe (H)

25 Preston (A)

29 Carlisle (A)



November

5 Bury (H)

19 Chesterfield (H)

26 Bournemouth (A)



December

10 Sheff Wed (H)

17 Charlton (A)

26 Hartlepool (H)

31 Notts County (H)



January

2 Chesterfield (A)

7 Colchester (H)

14 Huddersfield (A)

21 Exeter (H)

28 Stevenage (A)



February

4 Leyton Orient (H)

11 Brentford (A)

14 Walsall (H)

18 Milton Keynes Dons (A)

25 Tranmere (H)



March

3 Sheff Utd (A)

6 Scunthorpe (H)

10 Yeovil (H)

17 Rochdale (A)

20 Hartlepool (A)

24 Bournemouth (H)

31 Notts County (A)



April

7 Charlton (H)

9 Sheff Wed (A)

14 Wycombe (A)

21 Preston (H)

28 Bury (A)

May

5 Carlisle (H)






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