A roller-coaster of emotions

Charlie MacDonald: a roller-coaster of a week

Charlie MacDonald

The Latics striker writes every week for Chron Sport

IF Carlsberg did football matches, the game at Boundary Park last Saturday afternoon would be perfect for one of its famous TV ads.

Three goals down at half-time and with 300 supporters leaving at half-time, who would have predicted the result?

Never in my career have I been involved in such a pulsating 90 minutes of football - nor such a contrast of emotions.

It was such a strange feeling sitting in the dressing room at the interval, with everyone blaming each other for the situation we found ourselves in. Many comments were thrown round the room, but Connor Brown stood out for me: “If they can score three, then why can’t we?” he said.

We were like a team possessed in the second half; we produced football with an intensity and purpose I have never before witnessed in my playing days. The victory is up there with my best achievements in football.

The game that followed, against Wolves, brought us back to reality. We were beaten by a more powerful and clinical team - a side that boasts a player whose annual wage is more than Athletic’s entire budget.

I make no excuses, though. Wolves are in this division for a reason and ultimately its 11 v 11, but sometimes you have to hold your hands up and admit you have been beaten by a better team.