Latics pay the penalty

Photo: Alan Howarth

ROBBIE Simpson is sent tumbling under a Stevenage challenge.

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Athletic 0, Stevenage 1
Dickov’s men short on ideas and points

OUT-FOUGHT, out-thought and booed off, this was one for Athletic to file away in the 'forgettable' folder.

Paul Dickov's static Latics quickly need to learn from their mistakes.

A first round cup exit and one point from three league games isn’t a crisis – but is enough to justify genuine concerns.

The hosts looked afraid of making a mistake from the first whistle - and positively terrified once the fans started to get on their backs.

Stevenage, for whom left-winger Lucas Akins netted from the penalty spot with 36 minutes on the clock, are a well-drilled physical presence who got their tactics spot-on, and unfortunately for Athletic, quicker and more clinical sides lie in wait.

Lee Croft ran his socks off down the right flank but hit brick walls all afternoon. Left-sided counterpart Cristian Montano showed neat touches and made several intelligent runs off-the-ball, but still needs match fitness.

And with Youssouf Mchangama drawn into midfield scraps which were supposed to be Dean Furman and Winchester's battleground, Simpson cut a frustrated and isolated figure.

Maybe if Jean-Yves Mvoto's point-blank header from Cliff Byrne's cross after seven minutes had flown into the net rather than the hands of goalkeeper Chris Day, it would have been a different contest. Latics didn’t create a clearer chance.

The only goal of the game was Athletic personified. James Tarkowski's routine header back to goalkeeper Alex Cisak was too soft, and when lone striker Marcus Haber nipped in, he was felled by Cisak for a stonewall penalty. The big Aussie was a bit lucky to avoid a card from referee Michael Naylor.

Akins slotted home the spot-kick.

Even a draw here would have papered over the cracks.

Athletic have work to do. Perhaps three successive away matches are a blessing, because on the evidence of this performance the players are consumed by the Boundary Park fear factor.


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