Latics Snatch Fortunate Vital Point

There were a few changes for the match today, Wes Wilkinson dropped to the bench as his knee injury has become too bad to last a full 90 minutes. John Eyre moved from the right wing to replace Wilkinson and Jermaine Johnson came back into the starting line up at right wing. Michael Clegg gave way to Danny Hall on the bench.

Oldham started the brighter as Peterborough tried to weather the early pressure. Jermaine Johnson had a shot blocked from a tight angle in the opening minutes. The Latics then squandered a fantastic chance to take the lead as they found a way past a stubborn defence. Paul Murray found himself in the clear but he dragged his shot way from goal but Ernie Cooksey was rushing in with the goal at his mercy but the ball got tangled between his feet and his mishit shot went just wide to the agony of the Oldham fans.

Peterborough made a substitution on 20 minutes as the hobbling Sagi Burton came off to be replaced by Simon Rea.

25 minutes gone and Oldham created another chance, John Eyre crossed a dangerous ball which Jermaine Johnson connected with but his header went flying over the bar.

Peterborough countered with a dangerous through ball that Will Haining did well to clear into touch. A row between Haining and Pogliacomi insued with each other blaming the other which ended with Haining giving Pogliacomi a headbutt, nothing visious but a headbutt all the same. I guess it shows the passion in the players to get the club out of trouble but Haining went too far I feel.

This spurred Oldham on and Dean Holden fired just wide from 20 yards out, a good chance.

Clive Platt then gave Pogliacomi a testing shot to tip over the bar, from the corner Oldham went to pieces and a lack of marking gave substitute Simon Rea all the space he needed to head the ball into the net to give Peterborough the lead.

Minutes later it should have been 2-0 as Callum Willock broke clear of the defence only to fire his shot at Pogliacomi who blocked well and cleared.

The whistle went to a chorus of boo’s yet again. The team had started off brighter but managed to wilter and let Peterborough back into the game.

A change for Oldham at the start of the second half, Scott Vernon replaced Dean Crowe who had a dead leg.

A few half chances came Oldham’s way early on but nothing that troubled Tyler in the Peterborough goal.

Paul Murray had a decent chance on 58 minutes but his tame shot was easily saved. Moments later Scott Vernon had a superb chance to equalise, Adam Griffin sent in a teasing cross that Vernon headed unmarked but he sent the header over the bar.

David Eyres came on with half an hour to go to replace Ernie Cooksey.

Willock had another good chance but he headed over from 8 yards out. Oldham changed players around with John Eyre moving to right wing and Jermaine Johnson up front. Richard Logan came on to replaced Willock who had done well for Peterborough.

Will Haining was forced off with an injury on 69 minutes and Danny Hall came on to replace him

Darren Sheridan was booked following a tussle between him and Guy Branston which ended pretty scrappily. John Eyre had been floored seconds earlier which perhaps angered Sheridan.

Andy Clarke was Peterborough’s last substitution when he replaced David Farrell for the last 15 minutes.

Oldham looked clueless for ideas as the game was slipping away from them. The fans were all starting to leave as the 4^th official showed 4 minutes of injury time to go. David Eyres took a freekick which was headed over by Simon Rea when Tyler looked like he could claim it, Pogliacomi came up for the corner as a last throw of the dice. Sheridan flung the corner in, Pogliacomi almost got his head to his head to it but Tyler managed to get his fists to the ball, Paul Murray head the ball back and Scott Vernon fired the ball into the roof of the net. Cue delirium!

Oldham Team: Pogliacomi, Holden, Griffin, Haining, Owen, Cooksey, Johnson, Sheridan, Murray (c), Crowe, Eyre
Subs: Vernon (46), Eyres (60), Hall (68), Bonner, Wilkinson

Peterborough Team: Tyler, Gill, Branston (c), Arber, Farrell, Platt, Newton, Burton, Williams, Thompson, Willock
Subs: Rea (20), Logan (65), Clarke (75), Kanu, Jenkins

Att: 5,688
Ref: Mr. Prosser
MOM: Dean Holden

The final whistle went shortly after. It was lucky there wasn’t many police about because Oldham stole this point today. It wasn’t a fantastic performance but the point at the end of the season could prove vital. Hopefully this will spur the team on to victory on Monday, with a huge away following expected this could be the chance to get a much needed victory.

Check out Jack Scott's report on jklatics.com http://oldhamathletic.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=939&p=2&stid=8344468