OLDHAM ATHLETIC 2, DONCASTER ROVERS 1
It would be fair to say a twist of fate contributed greatly to Oldham Athletic’s home victory against Doncaster Rovers in the first rod of the Emirates FA Cup.
Had Carl Winchester not limped off injured early in the game, there may well have been a completely different outcome against the Sky Bet League Two high-flyers.
It was substitute Ryan Flynn who had massive bering on the outcome as he scored the opening goal and also provided the assist for the second from Billy Mckay that clinched victory.
Latics dominated the game and deserved victory, though they had to endure an anxious last few seconds after Liam Mandeville scored a penalty for the Yorkshire side at the death to halve the deficit and cause a little anxiety.
Manager Stephen Robinson made a couple of changes to his side as Ollie Banks came into the side for his first start in over two months while Charles Dunne returned at left back as Jamie Reckford and Flynn stood down.
While Latics dominated the opening period, Doncaster ought to have taken the lead after five minutes. Mandeville got beyond his man on the left, fired the ball across the box but Matty Blair could not convert at the back post.
Latics had a great chance to take the lead after 15 minutes when Ryan McLaiughlin’s cross found Lee Erwin at the far post, but he stabbed the ball wide.
There was a second injury blow before half an hour had been completed when Paul Green was forced off against his former club. Ousmane Fane replaced the midfielder as Latics started to really take a grip on the game going forward.
Latics almost took the lead after 34 minutes when Mckay released Erwin whose shot from 25 yards was saved by Marko Marosi.
With half time approaching, Latics made the breakthrough as Flynn put Robinson’s men ahead. Dunne’s cross into the box found Peter Clarke in the centre who nodded into the path of the onrushing midfielder and he made no mistake from three yards.
Latis doubled their advantage eight minutes into the second half. Flynn broke from midfield, played the ball into the path of Mckay who made no mistake from 12 yards as he cooly slotted home a low shot.
It was almost three on the hour mark as Erwin’s fierce strike was partially saved by the goalkeeper but Mckay could not convert the follow up.
Doncaster could have halved the deficit with 20 minutes left when Matty Blair broke clean through only to shoot wide as keeper Connor Ripley raced from his line to pressure the striker.
Latics could have put the game beyond doubt in the final 10 minutes as Flynn evaded his man, raced through with the goalkeeper but slipped his shot wide of the goal from the edge of the box.
Robinson’s side was put under intense pressure in the final minutes of the game with Doncaster throwing men forward in a bid to get something out of the game.
Four minutes into six minutes of additional time, Rovers won a penalty as Marquis was adjudged to have been held back. Mandeville stepped up to take the penalty and sent Ripley the wrong way to reduce the deficit.
Latics almost added a third goal at the death when McKay charged down a kick from keeper Marosi, but the fall few inches wide of the upright.
Oldham Athletic (4-4-2): Ripley; Dummigan, Clarke, Burgess, Dunne; Winchester (Flynn 9), Green (Fane 28), Banks, McLaughlin, Erwin (Law 77), Mckay. Subs (not used): Kettings, Wilson, Osei, Jahraldo.
Goals: Flynn 45+1, Mckay 53 for Oldham Athletic. Mandeville 90+4 for Doncaster.
Attendance: 2,984.