Latics slay Liverpool to set up Blues clash at Boundary Park

Sports desk: What could be more of a fairytale for struggling League One club Oldham Athletic than Sunday’s (27 Janu-ary) fourth round FA Cup slaying of seven-time winners Liverpool. It is of course a rhetorical question. The 3-2 win over the Premier League colossus with a history of rampant football success was a euphoric one in an otherwise sour season that has seen the club spiral down the league like Alice in a rabbit-hole. Besides which, for Oldham, who lie in 19th position after seven defeats in eight, it is a fairytale in every way. From the star striker at its centre, Matt Smith, plucked from non-league obscurity just 18 months ago – to the usurping of a side that has not been beaten away from home in the FA Cup by a team two divisions below

them in over half a century (they were defeated at non-league Worcester City in 1959).It didn’t take long for Oldham to scintillate before a sell-out home crowd as Matt Smith headed in Yous-souf M’Changama’s cross during the second minute. But with over 90 minutes still to play (including

stoppage and injury time) the fans would have a gripping wait. Oldham came out battling and undaunted - Robbie Simpson bullying Liverpool centre-backs Sebastian Coates and Martin Skrtel and the players constantly pushing forward. A fierce game ensued, and a vicious challenge by Raheem Sterling on M’Changama has put a question mark over the midfielder’s

health.Despite the home side’s attacking play, Luis Suarez took advantage of the space left behind to run in and the Uruguayan levelled for the visitors on 17 minutes. With a chance for Sterling squandered as it met the safe hands of keeper Dean Bouzanis the game continued to enthral.

Turn to page 30..

Against the run of play and as if adhering to a higher script, it was Matt Smith who again somewhat poetically put the Latics back in front on the cusp of half time, capitalising on a shaky performance by keeper Brad Jones. Returning to a blustery Boundary Park after the break, Oldham contin-ued to dig deep unfazed by the calibre of their opponents in a squad worth millions - the two strikers Sturridge and Suarez with a price tag of £35million combined. Having been accused of showing opponents too much respect in the league this season, the Latics players were resolute in defending their lead, and endured relentless pressure from a strong Liverpool side with Suarez, Daniel Sturridge, Fabio Borini and Raheem Sterling leading the attack.Borini could have drawn level again for Liverpool straight after half time kick-off, but sent the ball over the bar – a miss that was made all the more significant by a neat Reece Wabara back-post header which gave the hosts a two goal buffer after 48 minutes.It wasn’t long before Brendan Rodgers unleashed Steven Gerrard, who made an immediate impact on the game as Liverpool swept forward in the wind and rain creating several chances. Joe Allen’s volley in the 80th minute frazzled nerves and it looked like an embattling and skilful Liverpool might make a comeback culminating in a tense moment as Gerrard rattled the crossbar from long range. But the Latics would not be undone, blocking every shot with any part of the body they could muster until the final whistle blew. A wounded Matt Smith was named man of the match and an under pres-sure boss dedicated the win to the fans. Paul Dickov told BBC Radio 5 live “I am very proud and I am very pleased for the fans as it has been a long time without success for them.“We have not been getting any luck, but the performances have been OK, and we got the bit of luck we needed today.”The Latics face Everton at home next in what could be another great twist in the tale as ex-Everton player Jose Baxter gets the chance to face his old club – and maybe, just maybe met out some delicious revenge.

Published By Probash Bangla | Sylvan House | 2 Sylvan Street | Oldham | OL9 6LX | T: 0161 652 8106, E: news.pbuk@gmail.com | Advert: sales.asianpaper@gmail.com