We drank in the pubs around Manchester Victoria station. Some great pubs and some nice pints but it was soon time to jump in a taxi to Oldham.
We finally got a taxi and got into the ground about 5 minutes after kick off. Plenty of empty seats in view, which surprised me as at £2 a ticket expected close to a full house.
The first 45 minutes saw us very defensive and looking to snuff out Oldham rather than play our attcking match. We badly missed Cox and his attacking instincts.
After about 20 minutes we failed to clear and the striker put the ball through Whings legs and past Henderson.
They continued to attack and hit the post/bar and we somehow went in just 1 down.
Second half and it was suddenly all Brighton. Credit due to Wilkins who realised it wasnt working but was able to make changes to alter the pattern of the game.
We looked much much better in defence as Rents switched to right back, Mayo into left back and Whing partnered Butters. Lynch was subbed (injured or tactical?).
Chippy came in at centre midfield and we looked much better, and looked to get forward rather than sit back.
Robinson had the ball in the net, but it was ruled out for offside. I would like to see it again as it was a crowded box so it was hard to tell.
We finally equalised after Rents floated a great free kick to an unmarked Hammond who hooked the ball in superbly giving the keeper no chance.
The 350/400 Albion fans made loads of noise as usual and suddenly we looked like we could go on and get 3 points. Oldham did get back in the game and went closest to the winner. They hit the bar and post in a scrammble, but Gatting nearly won it for us with a super shot, Revell also put one wide and Fraser had a shot blocked, so all in all a fair result.
After the game is was a taxi back to Manchester, a quick meal and then The Saw Doctors and Pogues concert at the MEN arena.
Sunday it was a struggle when the alarm went of at 5.30am for out 6.40am flight back.
Anyway we must have the most valuable Oldham match ticket from Saturday as we bumped into Gordon Banks at Manchester airport on Saturday morning and we had nothing else with us so got him to sign the back of the match ticket, luckily not on the bit you tear off and hand in!! He was a very frinedly bloke, he had the tan of a man who had just come back from somewhere hot!
Henderson - 6 solid match
Whing - 6 beaten for pace too easily in the first half, much better second
Rents - 8 my MOTM, was switched to right back to contain the Oldham threat and once again his free kick set up the goal
Butters - 7 great return to the back 4
Lych - 6 solid match
Mayo - 7 solid start and good second half back at left back
Bowditch - 5 didnt look fit to me
Hammond - 7 never gives up, good match and another great goal
Fraser - 5 drifted in and out the game
Robinson - 5 tough match, not many chances
Revell - 6 came into it as teh game went on
Carpenter (on for Lynch at half time)- 6 looks back to his old self, lets hope he stays fit
Gatting (for Bowditch after about an hour?) - 6 great shot, worked hard
Kuipers, Elphick and John not used
Mark R
