Masked marvel stands tall

Photo: Pictures by ALAN HOWARTH

shoulder to shoulder: Athletic forward Danny Philliskirk goes tries to hold off a Stevenage opponent.

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Athletic 1, Stevenage 0

THIS was never going to be a fixture to whet the appetite of the purist — or indeed the sort of floating fan among the 5,755 who travelled to Liverpool dreaming of an “I was there” moment.

But what was utterly vital was that Athletic should win, to build a gap between the club and the bottom-four. And that was exactly what they managed, thanks to the rarest of beasts, a headed goal from James Wesolowski.

The last time the Australian netted in a league clash was at Preston North End — three years and 58 appearances ago!

His intervention here was by far the brightest moment in a dour encounter against a physically strong Stevenage side intent on winning by sheer force of will.

With Gary Harkins assuming control of the creative responsibilities on his full debut, Athletic moved the ball around from side to side and eventually found Mike Petrasso.

One on one with Boro’s left-back Peter Hartley, the QPR loan-winger whipped-in a cross met by the forehead of masked man Wesolowski, whose run was timed as well as the effort he successfully planted across former Boundary Park goalkeeper Chris Day.

Boro was the better of the sides in the first half. Three minutes after Athletic scored, Filipe Morais — looking like he had a point to prove against his former club - almost netted with a low cross scooped to safety by Mark Oxley.

Jonson Clarke-Harris, given a rough ride by his marker Ashton, sliced wide towards the end of a period in which Johnson was visibly exhorting his men to be cooler in possession.

Matters barely became more relaxed in a second half that also featured a paucity of goalmouth action.

Clarke-Harris made a hash of another, more difficult, attempt with his right foot early on as Athletic emerged at a higher tempo.

Athletic should have doubled their lead shortly before the hour. This was not Danny Philliskirk’s finest day though, and after he was teed-up by the neat footwork of Harkins took a touch too many in the area to create a shooting position and was crowded out.

Kusunga had to be alert to clear a Morais cross which got past Oxley and as the game meandered towards its conclusion, Ben Chorley was given his marching orders for an incident that left Clarke-Harris in a heap on the floor in the 86th minute.

Referee Steven Rushton, excellent throughout, showed the red card on the advice of an assistant, much to the displeasure of Stevenage players.

The introduction of Charlie MacDonald late on, following his return to fitness, provided an illustration of the renewed strength in depth within Athletic’s fully-fit squad.

After the relief of this win, manager Lee Johnson’s dealings in the player market carry less urgency than before.