Oldham Athletic V Chester FC | Match Thread #20 | Emirates FA Cup 4th
Our last match was last Saturday as we lost 0-1 at home against Darlington in what was a very close encounter. The first-half was a fairly even affair, as we created some decent openings but could not put the ball in the net when it really mattered. Therefore, nothing could separate either side at half-time. Meanwhile, the second-period was disappointing, because having had roughly half an hour to find a way back into the game, we should have pushed a lot harder for an equaliser. Kaine Felix made it 0-1 to Darlington just after the hour mark, as a Lewis Coulton clearance ricocheted off Felix’s shin - looping into the net. Unfortunately we could not conjure up a response, so we had to settle for our first defeat in nine.
Oldham Athletic are currently enduring their first ever season in non-league, having been relegated from Sky Bet League Two to the Vanarama National League against fellow Manchester-based Salford City in their penultimate game of last season. It is remarkable that a club of Oldham’s stature is languishing in non-league, which is a sign of the times, because you just have to look at clubs such as Southend United, Notts County, Chesterfield, and Scunthorpe United who are also in the fifth tier. The Latics, who were once in the Premier League, have had a bad start to their league campaign as they find themselves in 18th place, which is crazy. A few weeks ago John Sheridan, who is highly regarded amongst the Oldham faithful, stepped down as manager, with him being replaced by David Unsworth shortly after.
We could face three former Seals tomorrow, who are Nathan Sheron, David Okagbue, and John Rooney. Firstly, defensive midfielder Nathan joined us on loan from Fleetwood Town in September 2017, with him making just three appearances for us. Sheron’s brief loan spell ended in October 2017, where he returned to Fleetwood Town. In June of this year he joined Oldham Athletic from Harrogate Town, which is where he has been at ever since. Meanwhile, centre back David signed for us on loan from Stoke City in February of this year, where his stint was even briefer than Sheron’s - making just the one appearance! Okagbue returned to Stoke City in March of this year, while a month ago he signed for Oldham Athletic on loan from Stoke City, which is where he has been at ever since. Lastly, centre midfielder John initially signed for us on loan from Bury FC in November 2013, however due to impressing, his spell at the Deva from Bury FC was made permanent in January 2014. On the whole Rooney was a great player for us, where he scored bags of free-kicks, however he lost my respect when he signed for Wrexham from us in June 2016. In September of this year he signed for Oldham Athletic from Barrow, which is where he has been at ever since.
We have nothing to lose tomorrow, so our players should go out there by playing with pride and no fear. All of the pressure will be on Oldham Athletic, as with it being the FA Cup I am sure the game will be as big for them as it is for us. For once I do, sadly, think we will narrowly lose (mainly due to Oldham being in a higher league), however I would not be overly shocked if we were to get something from Boundary Park. Our ambition is to get back to the National League as I detest the league we are in now while we are too big for the sixth tier, so it should be a good opportunity for our players to compete against National League opposition. Although we have not played against the Lancashire outfit in a competitive match in over 50 years, I have still been to Boundary Park before, which was a groundhop to watch Oldham lose 2-5 against Northampton Town in May 2019. I am absolutely buzzing for this one now, so let’s all enjoy ourselves tomorrow and give our club a good reputation. Up The Seals ????⚪️????⚪️!
???????????????????? - Oldham Athletic (Rooney, Porter) 2-1 Chester FC (Willoughby).
???????????????????????????????????????? - 5,262 (2,024 Chester FC).
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Tyrer
Morgan Burke Williams Coulton
Thomas Weeks Kenyon Stephenson
Hall Willoughby
???????????????????????????? - tickets for this clash are available online to both sets of supporters, and you can purchase yours by clicking on the link below. They are also available to purchase from the Oldham Athletic ticket office, and also over the phone on 0161 785 5150. Meanwhile, you can pay with cash at the turnstile tomorrow. This is the link for our supporters to buy a ticket, as there is a separate link for home supporters ⬇️:
www.oldhamathletic.co.uk/tickets/oldham-athletic-away/?ftredirect=1
Also, you can pay at the turnstile tomorrow, with the prices being as follows ⬇️:
Adults - £12.00.
Concessions (65-year-olds and over plus Students), and 8-21-year-olds - £5.00.
Under-7’s - free.
???????????????? ???????????????????????? - away travel courtesy of the Hipkiss Express will be going tomorrow as usual, and you can travel to Oldham Athletic tomorrow for £15.00. Coaches depart the Deva Stadium at 12:00 with payment by cash only, however bookings are no longer being taken as all seven coaches are sold out.
???????????????????????????????????????? - The Boundary Bulletin matchday programme will be available to purchase for £2.00 around the ground. You can also order a printed copy for £2.00 online by clicking on the link below ⬇️:
www.curtis-sport.com/online-store/Oldham-Athletic-v-Chester-15-10-22-p500576382
COYS!