Joint top of the league and out of the cup

Last updated : 24 August 2005 By Dave Moore

Athletic bounced back in style against Chesterfield and put in a commanding performance to cement their promotion aspiriations. The 4-1 win was achieved in emphatic style and a solid all round display pushed the Latics up to second in the league. It was a win that was needed after a dire performance at Tranmere and it was Guy Branston who lead the charge with an impressive personal performance. Not only was he outstanding in defence but he was a constant thorn in the side for the Spireites with his frequent up field charges and set plays.

Ronnie Moore said,"We have played some tough games, and there are more to come, but for the moment we are enjoying being second in the table. It was great response and the players proved what they can do."

On Tuesday, the Latics bowed out of the League Cup with a 2-0 defeat at Leeds United. The well organised Championship Leeds team posed more of a threat than Chesterfield did and they deservedly took a 2-0 half time lead as the Latics struggled to impose any superiority on the match. The second half performance was much improved although scoring chances were few and far between. As the game concluded it became more inevitable that the Latics were going out, and a steady trickle of Latics supporters started to drift away from Elland Road.

On a night of shocks when Crewe, QPR, Notts Forest and Hull City were all humbled it was not the end of the world for the Latics as Saturday's visit to Colchester has got to be the most important thing on their mind at the moment. So the treble has gone but as the old saying goes, "We can concentrate on promotion now!"