The fat lady has finally sung on the 2002/3 season - and ironically, nobody ever thought that the final fling at the McAlpine would have been this sultry affair. This season had threatened to cook up a season finale to relish, instead this merely became a celebration for visiting fans and a case of que, sera, sera for the relegated hosts. To their credit, the Terriers did this gracefully.
The finale had been heading towards the Latics facing a relegated threatened Huddersfield, with former Oldham manager Mick Wadsworth in charge. Even more interesting was the possibility of the visitors needing points to secure promotion themselves. Instead, the Terriers had already been relegated, Wadsworth was long gone and the Latics had secured a play-off place without the remaining threat of winning 2nd place. Therefore this was a game about pride really - the Terriers wished to keep their heads up and end with a win, while the Latics wanted 3rd spot. And the first half produced an edgy showing from the Latics as Huddersfield looked the more relaxed side.
For their possession though, Huddersfield couldn't make any of it count. The Terriers, cautiously probed without conviction and for the first 25 minutes, chances were non-existent with only the Latics making the odd half chance. Firstly Wiggy's low ball in saw Corazzin step over leaving Carss with a chance to poke in at the far post. The home defence managed a saving tackle and then on 25, Haining sent a clever ball over for Murray to chase, but keeper Phil Senior just got to the ball first.
It seemed that any forward movement from the Latics looked very disjointed and the reason was clear to see. With niggles a worry with the playoffs looming, Dowie rightfully omitted pacey Andrews and constructive Sheridan. That meant both the midfield composure and the fast, dynamic play upfront was lacking. During the 1st half, Eyres looked subdued on the left, whilst too often Low failed to get into the final 3rd. That changed though when the two players came on as substitutes. Low became inspired on the right and the Latics dominated the rest of the game.
However, after the slow start to the game by both sides, the hosts took the lead on 27 with a rasping drive from Danny Schofield. Having been left with time and space to pick his spot, Schofield hit a 30 yard effort which sailed straight into Miskelly's top right corner. Many Latics fans had to question where the youngster was, as he had a clear view all the way. 0-1.
Having leaked at the back, the Latics failed to learn from the mistake. The Latics continued to look to create but at the back, Hall never looked convincing while Hill, making a welcome first comeback since December, was trying to find his feet. The Latics created several half chances, on 30 Carss had his back to goal and could only turn and shoot just wide of the far post. Then a couple of long rangers kept the Terriers on their toes, especially Murray's on 34. Probing for an opening, Wijnhard saw an effort deflect not too far wide and Eyres' headed corner ball, went straight into the keepers hands. Plenty of purpose, little of conviction.
The visitors just couldn't make the keeper work hard and as the defence continued to look uncertain, the Terriers nearly (and should have) doubled their lead on 42. A dreadfully slow defence reacted poorly to Huddersfield's dangerous counter and Martin Smith threaded the ball through for Jon Stead. Haining at full stretch tried to poke the ball out of his path to the keeper, but missed allowing Stead with only Miskelly to beat. His shot left the Latics stopper stranded, but it crashed against the post and away. It was a real let off.
With the Latics breathing a sigh of relief, they retaliated right away. Corazzin nodded down a cross for Murray who from edge of the box hit a powerful effort across keeper Senior for the far corner. The Terriers stopper palmed the ball just wide of the far post.
As the Latics chased the game, Dowie brought Sheridan on at half-time and his arrival gave the Latics an immediate boost. The midfield, which once looked barren, seemed to have a sense of direction now. Mini-Shez conducted the orchestra before him consisting of Low, Murray and Carss. The trio began to link up several times and began to create trouble of a high magnitude.
The first scare Town had to their lead came from some industrious work from Murray and Low. Muzza sprayed the ball into space for Low. He made great inroads into the box, passing 2 and slipping Muzza into space on the right of the box. The hosts defence was all over the place and the Latics stood with 3 unmarked players at the far post - disappointingly Muzza just couldn't pick any of them out.
With the Latics running the show now, it took until 68 for the deserved equaliser to arrive. Low's ball from the right landed at Carss feet and he advanced towards the defence from 30 yards. As space opened up, you knew just what his intentions were. Hitting a screeching shot across the floor, Carss low skimming drive flew past everyone and into the back the net. 1-1.
The ascendancy was with the visitors and with Andrews joining the fray, you could see why Huddersfield were cannon fodder for division 2 this season. Slowly, the sails were ripped off, holes appeared in the stern and the Terriers were more like the Titanic - sinking slowly as the game wore on.
The Latics began to create with ease and on 75, Baudet possibly should have done better when the ball broke loose in the box, but in the chaos he hacked over from 8 yards. And then moments later, another great Low cross found Carss, but with the ball stuck under his foot the Latics midfielder couldn't repeat his earlier goalscoring feat. With his first touch he managed to just push the ball infront of him, but not enough, and from the edge of the box he could only scoop a great chance wide of the left post.
Pushing forward in search of a goal which would cement 3rd place and home advantage in the deciding play-off leg, the Latics then had the ultimate chance on 86. Just as against Port Vale and Cheltenham, those guilt-edge chances were there for the taking, but Andrews agonisingly wasted a glorious effort to win the game. As the defence stood still, dangerous Andrews burst clear of the defence to leave him clear and with only Phil Senior to beat. A lack of experience showed as the youngster blasted for goal, hitting the ball straight at the lunging keeper, when placing it was the correct option. Another glorious miss - another 1-1 draw.
In the end, the Latics had played the first half missing 2 influential players and their arrival in the 2nd period spoke volumes of their importance. But in this tie, finding a winner from 1-0 down was too much. The chances were there, the cutting edge wasn't. Hopefully (and we've had a long month or so to say this) that won't be the case when the play-offs begin.
Awaiting the Latics now is a tie against QPR. No team would be easy now, but the Latics have had the best return from the Loftus Road outfit this season (4pts) and thus, the camp should be high. Dowie will relish it, Murray will be well up for it too and well, it will be the same 2 footballing sides that produced an entertaining 0-0 at Boundary Park in March.
QPR are undoubtedly the form side going into the play-offs - but that won't scare the Latics. In November we became the 1st team to beat them at Loftus Road in 21 attempts (over 12 months!) If we remember that, then we should play without fear. Let the fun begin - and don't bite your nails until 3pm on Saturday. Cause you're gunna need them!!!