Latics fall to another loss
Reporter: Matthew Chambers
Date published: 26 December 2014
35-yard wonder-goal sickens Latics
Athletic 1, Crewe 2
AS OVERALL performances go, this was a marked improvement on what went before.
Unlike the games at Yeovil and MK Dons, Athletic imposed themselves on proceedings from start to
finish, pressed hard to force mistakes and created the majority of scoring opportunities.
A goal was scored – George Elokobi's header ending a drought lasting over 350 minutes - and the contest was nearly won against 10-man Crewe.
With the score 1-1 in the 86th minute Joseph Mills, who had earlier smashed a shot against the crossbar, appeared to be clipped in the penalty area by James Baillie.
As the ball was funnelled forward down the right flank at the other end, Crewe's loan forward Nicky Ajose spotted Paul Rachubka off his line and delivered a brilliant chip over the goalkeeper from 35 yards, close to the touchline. It was a moment of true class, the sort of sparkling finish worthy of winning any contest at any level.
But had referee Jeremy Simpson not shunned Athletic's respectable appeal for a penalty, then it is reasonable to argue that a fifth successful spot-kick of the season from Jonathan Forte would have left no way back for Steve Davis's team.
Had Athletic taken three points, instead of none for the third league game running, then ahead of tonight's clash at Barnsley the team would be on the cusp of the play-offs, on as many points as sixth-placed Sheffield United. As it is, Lee Johnson's men are 13th.
Despite the caveats, a nil return after 40 minutes against 10 men from the division's bottom side is a frustrating state of affairs.
Athletic reverted to the diamond shape which had brought success earlier in the campaign and Winchester – in his first start in the league since the Bradford win in October – was a key part of the bright opening. Ibehre flashed a 25-yard drive not far off target and in the 10th minute, Forte shaped a left-footer to the top corner with only a diving intervention from Harry Davis saving the goal.
Crewe improved after switching from 3-5-2 to 4-4-2 midway through the first half and had two unexpected opportunities to open the scoring.
For the first, Ajose's lob was turned over as Rachubka arched his back; then seconds later Davis was left unmarked from a half-cleared corner and saw his goalbound shot cleared off the line by Mills.
Winchester was the architect of the 56th-minute red card for George Ray. His slipped pass was latched on to by Forte, and what looked like minimal contact made the dismissal a formality.
Crewe dug in to defend but rocked as Mills hit the woodwork, Jones also going close and Winchester curling a shot from the edge of the box agonisingly high and wide.
Ajose's penalty was emphatic enough, but after the skipper levelled matters when piling on to Tidser's inswinging corner five minutes later, it looked for the world like Athletic would be the ones to grab a winner.
But in the end, Ajose made all the difference.
