Oldham Athletic 2 Brighton 0

I have been very critical of the Latics of late. The main reason for this is that I feared our defence, one that has been as leaky as a wet paper bag all season, would undo the 2nd Divisions top-scorers work and see the blues miss out on at least a play-off spot. That same defence proved that on its day, it will never be breached. If that can be continued, the future of our season could admittedly look better than I had once pictured.

We played superbly down in Swindon and looked well-oiled against Wycombe at
home this season (our two best performances.) Even at Port Vale, a game we
should never have lost, the Latics played very well - but in each of the 3 cases only in midfield and attack. Never as a whole side, from goalkeeper to the forwards, has the blues looked so solid throughout. Never has the defence looked so comfortable when the opposition has threatened. But that isn't to say Brighton offered nothing, as a unit led supremely by Baudet, the back four looked solid and composed. In essence, they for once looked like they knew what they were doing!

Moving on to that man Baudet, the French star was inspirational. Not for a
long time has a Latics defender played so intelligently, committed and almost effortlessly as he did. Nipping in front of attackers to steal balls from their toes, cutting out passes, winning every ball in the air and commanding like a veteran, Baudet never faltered and that visibly aided the whole back four unit. This was the area of concern, but if we can defend like we did against Brighton till the end of the season, our potential will become reality.

The main shock to open this game was the omission of one, Bobby Zamora. The 25 goal hit-man was, according to Brighton "shattered" after a long run in
the side for the former Bristol Rovers man. Ironically, after his red card in this one, he will get a nice 3 game rest at the end of February which could prove the Seagulls more costly that it did in this game. The omission was made with their home tie against Reading in mind, however such complacency might prove expensive.


It wasn't until the 44th minute before Brighton managed to hit the target and eventually after Zamora's arrival the visitors came alive and made the Latics work hard for the points. In contrast though, despite there being a shortage of goalmouth incidents, the hosts had the better of the exchanges and one superbly worked goal separated the sides by half time. Latics fans did well to make the atmosphere a lively and exciting one and within the first 10 minutes the Latics had shown their intention to push forward and create.

It wasn't until the 21st minute though before the opener was almost forced,
as Paul Murray saw his effort blocked. However, on the half hour mark the
possession and invention worked wonders. Forcing a corner, one of eight in
the first half, David Eyres floated a ball to unmarked Appleby (pictured) on the edge of the box. In almost text box fashion, the Latics midfielder drilled a
beautiful volley through the box and into the back of the net. 1-0.

The goal made no difference to the tone of the game and the Latics continued
in the same vein. However, the only real error from the defence throughout
the whole 90 minutes almost proved costly on 41. Defender Pethick sent
Rogers clear with a neat through-ball and with the defence pushing up too
late, Rachubka was left exposed. The on-loan scummer, closed Rogers' angle
forcing any effort to be for the far corner, but Rogers snatched at the ball
and sent it past the far post.

Immediately after the miss, John Sheridan limped off and in some ways it was
good to see Duxbury come on as the midfield would need more steel in the
game, the older it got. But there was little more to note before the end of
the first half and the Latics left the field to good applause. The opening to the 2nd half saw Brighton come out the livelier. Despite not creating much, the Seagulls held more of the ball and looked a lot more dangerous than they had previously.


That danger turned into fear on 56, as that man Zamora entered the field. And within seconds, Watson supplied the ball into the Latics six-yard box and the Brighton hot-shot pulled free at the back post. Fortunately for the hosts, Zamora's glanced header was too thick, sending a looped header over Rachubka and onto the crossbar.

The Latics tried to regain control, but Brighton were now making it difficult. Worryingly, every Latics challenge was seemingly flying off into the possession of another Brighton player and with possession being hard to come by, frustration started to creep into the game. However, the midfield quartet in Eyres, Murray, Appleby and Duxbury all played their part, whilst Armstrong and Corazzin linked up well on the left. Corazzin especially, looked excellent playing that holding role and it needed the change of Smart on, for the in-effective David Reeves.

Humorously, Peter Taylor commenting on the Zamora red card to come,
indicated there had been many things going on throughout the game. Yes,
Peter there was, like Corazzin being pulled back in the area on 62 and for
the whole 90 minutes, blatant handballs from the visitors. However, Zamora
was now becoming an increasing threat.

On 75, Corazzin's shot on the edge of the box broke kindly for Albion. Hart
sent Zamora away. With almost a fear of expectation, Baudet, Beherall and
Armstrong all naively flocked across to the threat allowing Hart to steam on
past the defence to receive the through ball. Rachubka came off his line early and with Baudet racing across to cover the far corner, Hart had just Rachubka's bottom left corner to aim for. The Latics keeper stopped, anticipated well, and made the save.

With Latics fans wondering if it wasn't to be, a 2nd goal was now in desperate need. With 9 minutes to go, a ball forward was again handled, this time by Watson, on the edge of the box. Baudet hovered over the ball, but it was Eyres who would, without doubt, be stepping up for this one. An air of anticipation hung around the Chaddy End. Eyres stepped forward and struck the sweetest of shots for the top corner. Still rising as it hit the back of the net, the ball flew in like a bullet from a gun. The Chaddy End surged forward as the home support went wild. 2-0.

As Brighton tried desperately to not give up the ghost, Zamora found himself
cut off by Chris Armstrong from chasing a ball (apparently an illegal move in Peter Taylor's books). Out of petulance, Zamora proceeded to use his fantastic striking foot to stick up our defenders rear-end. Fans in the George Hill paddock, who had a brilliant view of the incident, went wild and the referee had no hesitation in reaching for the red card.

That ended a sad day for Brighton fans, but for the first time in a long
time - this was our day. After winning with such confidence, the Latics gave
a performance worthy of promotion and put that embarrassing away-day against the visitors to rest, for good. How did we feel travelling back from
Brighton after that mauling in the south? Ask any Brighton fan who made the
opposite trip on Saturday tea-time. It was their turn to face that feeling whilst Latics fans danced the night away. Can we make it? I'll predict that one after we meet Bristol City and Tranmere. By then, belief might be through the roof. On this evidence - anything could be possible! Come on you blues.