Oldham Report

By: Matty Newton
Date: 20/07/2008

GRIMSBY Town lost their second pre-season game yesterday as they entertained Oldham Athletic at Blundell Park.

Town lined up with a strong line up, with Barnes in goal, a back four of Newey, Hope, Bennett, and Stockdale, a midfield of Hegarty, Hunt, Bolland and Till, with North and Butler up front.

Oldham started off the more lively of the two sides and took the lead in the 6th minute, through non other then John Paul Kalala, with a trademark volley from outside the box in front on the Pontoon, after slack marking left Kalala free to strike sweetly past Barnes.

In the 16th minute the first sub was made with Bennett going off with a suspected injury, and Fenton coming on to a good reception from the 650 Town faithful.

Oldham again pressed and could have doubled their lead but for good work from Barnes, denying Craig Davis.

Town then controlled the majority of the first half and kept the ball for long periods, with Till having the best chance working well with North on the right and running on to fire a shot straight at the goalkeeper.

New signing Richard Hope then equalized with a downward header from just inside the box from a good corner from Till on the right.

Town finished the first half brightly and on top.

Two more changes were made at half time, with Jarman and Llewellyn coming on for North and Hegarty.

The second half never really got going for either side until Andy Taylor was introduced along with Clarke, with Hunt and Butler making way.

Taylor's pace beat the Latics defence but his shot couldn't manage to beat the Oldham 'keeper.

Newey came off for Bird as the defence now looked very disjointed.

Grant Normington replaced Stockdale and goalscorer Hope was replaced by a triallist, who I have to say didn't look very good.

Taylor again had a good chance with the game coming into the last 10 minutes, but again he was denied by Crossley.

Bolland had to go off with and a knock and with all the subs being used Town had to play the remaining minutes with 10 men.

Oldham had the last laugh as they scored late on with an easy tap-in by Dean Smalley after the disjointed defence left him unmarked and left sub goalkeeper Montgomery helpless to stop the close range strike.

The Mariners defence looked strong in the first half, but became unsettled in the second half as Buckley rung the changes. The midfield needs some work and possibly another new body in the centre who can command the field and attack. The strikeforce I'm sure will come good and Taylor looks very sharp.

Next up is Winterton on Monday Night

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