OLDHAM ATHLETIC 0, WALSALL 0
Oldham Athletic lack of firepower was again evident as they were held to a goalless draw in their opening home league game in Sky Bet League One.
They have managed only four goals in eight games – five friendlies and three competitive matches – and their strikers have yet to muster a goal between them.
If there is any consolation for Latics, beaten 3-0 at Millwall on the opening day of the season, it is they at least registered their first point of the season after a pretty tepid affair.
Lee Erwin, the striker on a season-long loan from Leeds United, headed against a post in the last quarter of the game.
While Latics pressed for much of the game, they made little inroads against a well organised Saddlers’ defence.
Manager Steve Robinson made two changes to his starting 11 from Tuesday night’s EFL Cup win against Wigan Athletic as Billy Mckay and Jamie Reckord returned to the starting 11 at the expense of Brian Wilson and youngster Kallum Mantack.
It was not until five minutes before the break that there was a clear-cut opening when Mckay, on the edge of the box, shot over.
Walsall had a great chances to take the lead early in the second half when Franck Moussa shot narrowly wide and Latics’ keeper Connor Ripley pulled off a fine save to deny striker Simeon Jackson.
After Moussa struck inches wide on 51 minutes, Ripley pulled off a fine save to deny Jackson from inside the box after the striker created space for himself.
Ripley again had to be alert to turn a shot from substitute Andreas Makris round the post for a corner.
Robinson brought on Ryan McLaughlin in place of Klok. That move seemed to inspire Latics as they took control of the game and could have scored the opening goal.
Erwin crossed for Mckay but the striker’s header was saved by former Latics’ loanee Neil Etheridge.
Latics continued to put pressure on his goal and they almost took the lead with only 20 minutes remaining.
Ryan Flynn created an opening for himself forcing a smart save from Etheridge, but Erwin on the follow up headed against the post.
That would be Latics’ best chance of the game as the game petered out into a somewhat tame goalless draw.
Latics (4-4-2): Ripley; Law, Clarke, Burgess, Reckord; Klok (McLaughlin 63), Fane (Banks 70), Green, Flynn; Erwin (Osei 83), Mckay. Subs (not used): Kettings, Croft, Edmundson, Woodland.
Attendance: 3,914.