Latics’ late winner in opening-day spectacular

WHAT A STUNNER: Cristian Montano completes a fantastic run with a deft finish which leaves Chris Day on the turf.

2 More Image(s) In Gallery

Stevenage 3, Athletic 4

ATHLETIC fans are in for a thrill-a-minute season if Saturday's opening-day classic at Stevenage is anything to go by.

Lee Johnson's new-look charges emerged victorious in a breathtaking clash that had almost everything: memorable goals, penalties, comebacks and 12 yellow cards.

The only thing missing was a red card - though referee Darren Sheldrake was pretty much spot-on with the vast majority of his decisions. He got it right for Athletic's two penalties, both taken by Jose Baxter.

Athletic's other goals, from James Tarkowski and Cristian Montano, were both quality strikes.

They enhanced an Athletic display which featured resilience in abundance, craft and an eye for goal

Athletic fielded an exciting team to get the manager's new dawn underway. Five debutants started in the Hertfordshire sunshine: Mark Oxley in goal, Korey Smith on parade in the middle as captain and James Dayton, who shrugged off injury on the right.

The remaining two debutants were the most eye-catching for the travelling faithful: Adam Rooney and Charlie MacDonald led from the front as Athletic fans licked their lips at the prospect of the new strike partnership.

The first-half was entertaining as both sides had a spring in their step. Rooney almost scored with fewer than 10 seconds on the clock as he met Dayton's cross - but could only glance his header a couple of feet wide.

The first of Stevenage's bookings came barely a minute later when Lee Hills clattered into Rooney. After a similar, ugly challenge on Montano five minutes later, he was taken off after only 13 minutes.

Darius Charles, who started the game up front and would later score the opener, was now in Hills' left-back slot and Oldham was gaining the upper hand.

Tarkowski had the ball in the Stevenage net in the 37th minute, but the goal was ruled out. To rub salt in that wound, Stevenage swept into the lead a minute before the interval.

A long ball into the box met Tounkara, whose initial shot struck the base of a post before the rebound was drilled home by the predatory Charles.

It was a disastrous concession and Athletic hadn’t deserved it — but a stirring second-half response would see the 735 travelling supporters rejoicing in style at the end.

Five minutes after the restart Tarkowski bagged a cracker: Baxter floated in a free-kick from the right and Tarkowski was perfectly placed, 12 yards from goal, to volley a shot across Day and into the opposite corner.

Two more goals in a thrilling four-minute spell appeared to finish off Stevenage. Athletic went in front in the 66th minute when Baxter tapped in a rebound after his initial spot-kick had been saved.

Minutes later it was 3-1, thanks to magic from Montano. Intercepting a poorly-hit corner-kick, he charged on a near full length run before dinking a cheeky shot over Day to send the travelling fans wild.

It looked all over with 15 minutes to go, but Tansey followed up after Oxley had parried a Tounkara shot, then Morais incredibly made it 3-3 with seven minutes left

To be pegged back so late was rough on Athletic, but this new team has a never-say-die attitude and with four minutes left, MacDonald scooped up a shot which struck Charles' arm for another penalty.

Baxter buried Athletic's winner past Day with a superbly-guided shot into the corner.