Chatham_Owl

Wednesday 13th August 2003 - Training First Team & Reserve Team (Shooting AM, Shadow Play LUNCH) Goalkeeping (Crosses AM, Pig in the Middle LUNCH)

Both Michael Sisson's and Leon Bell's trials end today and they leave the club, I'm still unsure about them and would like them to come back for another month in the reserves.

Chris Latchem thinks that Kevin Gibbens isn't good enough to be signed for Oldham.

In other transfer news, Plymouth sign Mark Perry on a free transfer and Nottingham Forest buy Lee Peacock from Bristol City for £140k.

Carling Cup 1st Round Match
Oldham Athletic Vs. Lincoln City
Boundary Park
19:45

Oldham Athletic
1. Leslie Pogliacomi
2. Dean Holden
3. Matthew Wicks
4. Will Haining (c)
7. Matt O'Halloran
8. John Eyre
11. David Eyres
14. Michael Clegg
18. Scott Vernon
20. Anthony Shandran
Subs
13. Michael RObertson
6. Billy Gibson
9. Chris Killen
16. Sean O'Hanlon
17. Darren Sheridan

Lincoln City
20. Darren Horrigan
4. Ben Futcher
5. Paul Morgan (c)
6. Ben Sedgemore
7. Paul Smith
8. Richard Butcher
15. Simon Weaver
21. Scott Willis
27. Gary Fletcher
30. Francis Green
37. Charlie Trout
Subs
31. Gareth Jones
3. Paul Mayo
9. Simon Yeo
10. Dene Cropper
26. Richard Liburd

Final Score: Oldham Athletic 1 Eyre pen (90+2) Lincoln City 0
Att: 3,623
Ref: Mr.M.Ryan
MOM: John Eyre

Oldham Evening Chronicle: Injury Time Penalty Puts Oldham Through

The Latics are through to the second round of the Carling Cup after an injury time penalty was converted by John Eyre. he game looked like it was going to extra-time but Oldham managed to escape more punishment, O'Hanlon, Gibson and Killen were rested for this game and Wicks, Cooksey and Shandran took their places in the team. Oldham were in attacking mood but the attack seemed ineffective and couldn't get shots on goal. After the break McAlister ordered them to attack more, they did but again it looked unlikely that Oldham would take the lead. Killen and Gibson were brought on to spark something, O'Halloran and Shandran gave way. As the game went on Lincoln came into it more and near the end maybe should have been a head, good goalkeeping by Pogliacomi kept the scores level. Deep into injury time Cooksey got the ball and ran into the box where he was tripped and the referee gave the penalty. Relief was all to see when Eyre tooked his penalty into the bottom corner, Lincoln players fell to the floor. Oldham are through but only just, a chance for a big pay day at a Premiership club is possible.

Manager's Comments: I'm glad we won this banana skin match. All our efforts didn't seem to produce much up front. On the balance of play we should have won and we did so I'm thankful for that. Great to see John (Eyre) tuck that one home. Just glad we have won this and we can concentrate on the next game. Lincoln did well to their credit, didn't make it easy for us.

Oldham are through to the second round of the Carling Cup and are awarded £20k for getting there.

Chatham_Owl

Thursday 14th August 2003 - Training First Team & Reserve Team (Tactical Training AM, Training Match LUNCH) Goalkeeping (Agility (GK) AM, Training Match LUNCH)

I arrive to bad news following the cup match, Dean Holden had gone into training this morning and he has injured his Neck too, he will be out for 2 weeks.

Four trialists leave the club today, Phil Salt, Howard Forinton, Bryan Small and Nicky Hill. Hopefully Phil Salt will be back as I've offered him a contract.

James Wills has been scouting Michael Houghton of Halesowen Town for the past few weeks and believes he will go on to become an excellent player.

Chatham_Owl

Friday 15th August 2003 -Training First Team & Reserve Team (Agility AM, Set Pieces (defensive) LUNCH) Goalkeeping (Pig in the Middle AM, Overloading (defensive) LUNCH)

Five trialists leave the club today, atthew Ghent, Darren Bloor, Scott Jones, Duncan Spedding and Paul Dempsey. I ask that Ghent, Jones and Dempsey all come back for another month to see if they can get into my squad.

Italian side Ancona try to sign my keeper Les Pogliacomi for £28k I reject their offer, he's not for sale.

Mark Wilson's move to Stockport is cancelled as Stockport already have 4 players on loan at the club, he stays at Middlesbrough. Chesterfield defender Alan O'Hare will be out for 2 months after tearing his groin muscle in training, the Chesterfield fans are said to be questioning thier luck and hope they can still stay together. Brigton make another signing. Steve Evans of Brentford joins the club for a fee of £50k.

Ron Millward gives me two reports, one for the Under-19's which I pass onto Andy Ritchie. The other one is about Bristol City.

He says Danny Wilson likes to play a patient 4-4-2 formation. They are clear favourites for the game being at home and tipped to win the league. Their team is first-rate and that their attack is strong.

Their key players are Mickey Bell he left winger, captain Tommy Docherty and veteran midfielder Brian Tinnion.

In their last game they beat Crewe Alexandra in the Carling Cup 2-0 away. Their cause was helped with the sending off of Steve Jones, but Bristol fully deserved their victory, they are unbeaten in all competitions so far.

Oldham Squad (16 Players): Pogliacomi, Robertson, Clegg, Wicks, Haining, Hall, O'Hanlon, D.Sheridan, Gibson, Cooksey, Eyre, O'Halloran, Eyres, Killen, Shandran, Vernon

Bookies Odds: Bristol City 4-5 Fav Draw 2-1 Oldham Win 3-1

Chatham_Owl

Saturday 16th August 2003 - Training (Rest)

Early morning we set off to Bristol for the match, the Carling Cup 2nd Round draw is being drawn live on Soccer AM. Dean Holden phones me up to let me know who we've got.
DH: Hi the draw has been made Ian.

IM: Hi Pele, who have we got? Wouldn't mind a Premiership side away.

DH: Sorry to disappoint you but it's an away tie at Hull City.

IM: Ah balls, not what I wanted, tricky place to go but we can win there. When is the game?

DH: 23rd September at 19:45

IM: Ok, how's the neck? Improving?

DH: Yeah it is, ahould be training next week Simon said.

IM: Excellent I'll speak to you later.

Another 5 players officially leave the club today. Jonathan Perry, Jonathan Paul Mills, Ian Lawson, Des Lyttle and Tom Phillips all leave, but offer Perry, Mills and Lawson to come back for another month to prove themselves.

Under-19's Match
Oldham Athletic Vs. Manchester City
Boundary Park

Oldham Athletic
Grange, Lever, Eardley, Winn (c), Mee, Hampson, J.Taylor, Jacobs, Barlow, Walker, Wolfenden
Subs: Treacey, Armstrong, Lomax, C.Taylor, Hall

Manchester City
M.Taylor, Skelton, Bermingham (c), Onuoha, Oswell, Whyte, Tandy, Murphy, D'Laryea, Wright-Phillips, Proffitt
Subs: Davis, Sharp, Webster, Stone, McDermott

Final Score: Oldham Athletic 0 Manchester City 2
Att: 138
MOM: Anthony Mee

Oldham Evening Chronicle: Oldham Youth fought bravely against an excellent City youth team, they had a few chances to take the lead but a moment of madness from Eardley was himself sent off and possibly see him in further trouble after elbowing. Oldham's chance had gone and City pilled on the pressure in the second half and eventually won 2-0.

Sean Eardley got sent off in the match and is suspended for one game starting (16/08/03) after throwing out an elbow. He could face further sanctions as he has to attend a disciplinary commitree on (23/08/03) to decide whether to extend his ban. I decide along with Ritchie not to appeal against the ban. I'll give Sean a warning about his future conduct.

Nationwide League Division Two Match
Bristol City Vs. Oldham Athletic
Ashton Gate
15:00

Bristol City
1. Steve Phillips
3. Mickey Bell
4. Tommy DOcherty (c)
6. Matt Hill
7. Luke Wilkshire
8. Joe Burnell
10. Lee Miller
11. Brian Tinnion
18. Christian Roberts
19. Danny Coles
25. Clayton Fortune
Subs
14. Mike Stowell
12. Aaron Brown
15. Robin Hulbert
22. Marvin Brown
27. Leroy Lita

Oldham Athletic
1. Leslie Poglaicomi
3. Michael Wicks
4. Will Haining (c)
6. Billy Gibson
7. Matt O'Halloran
8. John Eyre
9. Chris Killen
11. David Eyres
14. Michael Clegg
16. Sean O'Hanlon
18. Scott Vernon
Subs
13. Michael Robertson
17. Darren Sheridan
19. Ernie Cooksey
20. Anthony Shandran
21. Danny Hall

Final Score: Bristol City 1 Miller (63) Oldham Athletic 2 Killen (11), Eyres (89)
Att: 8,897
Ref: Mr.P.Joslin
MOM: Matthew Wicks

Oldham Evening Chronicle: Eyresy Magic as Oldham Make It 2 Out Of 2

A famous victory today as Oldham beat the favourites for the title 2-1. Oldham started off brightly and fully deserved their lead, Vernon turned his man, got to the byline and crossed to an unmarked Killen to head home. Oldham continued to attack and cause City lots of problems and went into the half time break full of confidence. After the break Oldham sat back a little and tried to go on the counter attack, this was working until a mad moment from Pogliacomi, he came miles out of his box only to see Lee Miller get to it first and score a silly goal. Bristol had been let back into the game. After that it was all Bristol and it looked likely that they would go on to win but Pogliacomi and some stubborn defending kept the scores level. It was coming to the end of the game, Oldham won a freekick outside the box. David Eyres stepped up and curled a beauty into the net, Bristol looked stunned, Oldham went delierious. There was still a job to be done though as Bristol searched for the equaliser, Oldham were forced to defend and defend they did, Bristol nearly equalised with the last kick but Pogliacomi grabbed the ball and the 3 points. Oldham celebrated with their fans like they had won the FA Cup, Eyresy was the hero and the fans let him know about it. Oldham now lie in 6th, next up are 2nd place Chesterfield on wednesday.

Manager's Comments: I'm absolutely over the moon about this result, talk about fighting spirit, my team showed loads today. We attacked with purpose, and made it count. We were going along nicely until a mixup midway through the second half and we got punished, can't blame anyone much though as they played so well and any mistakes were quickly made up for. Then near the end you get a free kick near goal, you want Eyresy to take it, he was showing signs of tiredness and I was thinking of taking him off, I'm glad I didn't what a goal! The defending at the end was a little nervy and we nearly let them back in but we held out, a terrific performance.

After the game a scout from Bologna comes upto me, he says his club are prepared to offer £22k for Les Pogliacomi's services. I tell him that he is not for sale, he is too valuable to the club.

Brentford sign industrious midfielder Chris Holland from huddersfield Town for £12k.
Grimsby Town loan former Grimsby player John Oster for 3 months.

Chatham_Owl

Thank you Djcat, got a bit more to add to this soon, just having a little break. Keep on reading.

Umney

hi chatham_owl. so far ur story looks great and a lot of detail in it. Damon Robson is a great player and i strongly sdvise u to try and get him. he starred as my right sided midfielder making runs inside and scoring a dozen or more goals as i won promotion with Cambridge United.

LeytonOrient212

Very detailed, keep up the good work

Chatham_Owl

Cheers Umney and LeytonOrient212 for the comments, keep on reading, I'm making it detailed so you can feel like you know what's going on at the club as I manage it more.

Sunday 17th August 2003 - Training (Rest)

Michael Sisson agrees to rejoin the club on a 4 week trial ending on (14/09/03).

Sean Eardley feels that my warning over his dismissal in his last match was harsh and is now unhappy at the club but would like to stay.

Matt Carbon leaves the club after his trial period expires.

Chesterfield loan Craig James of Sunderland to cover for Alan O'Hare's injury.

Chatham_Owl

Monday 18th August 2003 - Training First Team & Reserve Team (Pig in the Middle AM, Cross Country LUNCH, 5 a-side (small pitch) PM) Goalkeeping (Handling AM, Crosses LUNCH, 5 a-side (small pitch) PM)

I put some players on the transfer list and some players available for loan.

Transfer Listed:
Matty Appleby
John Sheridan
Danny Boshell

Loan Listed:
Michael Robertson
Danny Hall
Anthony Shandran
Anthony McStea
Marc Tierney
Danny Forde
Adam Griffin
Carlos Roca
Craig Fleming
Chris Grange
Charles Treacey
Paul Armstrong
Chris Lever
Kelvin Lomax
Ashley Winn
Sean Eardley
Anthony Mee
Jason Taylor
Kyle Jacobs
Matthew Barlow
Chris Hall
Matthew Wolfenden
Rob Walker

James Wills informs me of John Mead, a central defender from Northwich Victoria. He isn't much good though.

Both Ipswich Town and Bradford City try to take Mark Wilson on loan from Middlesbrough.

Chatham_Owl

Tuesday 19th August 2003 - Training: First Team & Reserve Team (Technique AM, Closing-Down Session LUNCH, Weight Training PM) Goalkeeping (Technique AM, Distribution LUNCH, Weight Training PM)

James Wills believes that young Kingstonian right-winger Liam Collins will develop into a decent player. He noted that he was impressed with how Liam handles the pressure of first team football.

Damon Robson rejects his final offer of a contract and he leaves the club today, I offer him another months trial contract.

UWIC Inter Cardiff offer Scott Jones a contract. Burton Albion and Boston United offer a contract to Jonathan Paul Mills.

Blackpool join in the race to loan Mark Wilson.

Ron Millward files his report on Chesterfield

Chesterfield manager Roy McFarland prefers his sides to play a patient 4-4-2 formation. He thinks their team is expectional and their attack is strong and quick.

Their star players are Steve Blatherwick, Mark Hudson and Chris Brandon. Lloyd Dyer and Alan O'Hare are out with injury and Stuart Howson will have a fitness test before tomorrows game.

In their last match they comprehensively beat title favourites Brighton & Hove Albion 4-0 with Brandon and Folan both scoring 2. They are unbeaten in all competitions so far this season, they score plenty and are dangerous from crosses but they have also conceided a fair few as well.

Oldham Squad (16 Players): Pogliacomi, Robertson, Clegg, Wicks, Haining, Hall, O'Hanlon, D.Sheridan, Gibson, Cooksey, Eyre, O'Halloran, Eyres, Killen, Shandran, Vernon

Bookies Odds: Oldham Win 6-4 Draw 2-1 Chesterfield Win 13-8

Reserve Match
Oldham Athletic Vs. Preston North End
Boundary Park

Oldham Athletic
Treacey, McStea, Lomax, Whelan, Tierney, Boshell, Griffin, Sisson, Forde, C.Taylor, Fleming
Subs: Grange, Armstrong, Cassidy, C.Hall, J.Sheridan

Preston North End
Lonergan, Armstrong, Elebert, Kempson, Cartwright (c), Carvill, Clampitt, Curwen, Brown, Langmead, Kitchen
Subs: Neal, Burgess, Robson, Barrett, Jackson

Final Socre: Oldham Athletic 1 Preston North End 0
Att: 293
MOM: Charles Treacey

Oldham Evening Chronicle: A hard fought victory was eventually won with a goal from Craig Fleming, it looked offside but the flag stayed down and Fleming finished excellently, Preston were a difficult side creating chances themselves but Treacey was superb in goal.