Spew beauty!

Photo: PICTURES by ALAN HOWARTH

SICK-BED STAR: Tom Adeyemi celebrates in front of the home supporters.

Dickov salutes ‘fantastic’ Adeyemi as Latics move closer to Wembley
TOM Adeyemi was sick SEVEN times as Athletic made it through to the Northern Area final of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy after a 2-0 victory over Bradford City last night.

The midfielder, restored to a central role as a result of the one-game suspension of Dean Furman, was the last player out of the tunnel for the second half as a result of his mid-match illness.

It didn’t seem to affect his game, though, as the ex-Bantam helped down his former club with a well-taken strike just after the hour mark.

“It was a great finish and a great first touch from Tom,” said Athletic boss Paul Dickov, who said Adeyemi’s sudden illness occurred after taking on a concoction of water and sports drinks.

“He was violently sick at half-time. I have never seen anything like it. Then he goes and puts in a second-half performance like that. He is a fantastic kid.”

Dickov was every bit as pleased with his other players’ grit on a tough night, as Athletic made a date with Chesterfield, managed by former Athletic boss John Sheridan, in a two-legged area final to be played early next year.

“The main thing in cup games is getting through to the next round,” he added, also taking time to again praise the finishing power and all-round game of 13-goal striker Shefki Kuqi.

“But our work-rate and attitude, without playing as we can do, was first-class.

“You have to give Bradford credit. They made it ever so hard for us and gave it everything they had.

“We had to stand up and be counted and to a man, we did that. We thoroughly deserved it.

“There is a togetherness in this group that can take us forward and it was on show.”

The main sour note was the loss to one-match suspensions of duo Nathan Clarke and James Wesolowski, who both picked up fifth yellow cards of the season.

Captain Furman will return from his own one-match ban to take Wesolowski’s role against Sheffield Wednesday at Boundary Park on Saturday, while Clarke will be replaced by Zander Diamond, whose knee injury is nowhere near as serious as was first feared when he hobbled off the field at Southend.

“We have a tough game against Sheffield Wednesday and we will have to look after the boys and wrap them up in cotton wool,” said Dickov.

“Wednesday will bring a load of fans with them, as Bradford did, and it will be a tough test.

“Our fans played a big role last night as well. I know Bradford brought a lot, but our supporters were fantastic. The biggest thing we are going to have to do now is keep our feet on the ground.”



ANDREA Mancini will stay with Athletic for a second month.

The 19-year-old Italian’s initial one-month loan from Manchester City expired after the FA Cup clash at Southend. The son of City manager Roberto, he arrived at the club with Luca Scapuzzi, who signed for two months.



FORMER Athletic boss Mick Wadsworth has lost his job as Hartlepool manager.

The 61-year-old leaves Victoria Park with the npower League One outfit on a run of seven straight home defeats.

First-team coach Micky Barron will take control for the visit to Brentford on Saturday.

“Following a good start to the season, although the away performances have yielded some results, the last seven home defeats have been of concern and it was felt that a fresh direction was required," said a club statement.