CARLISLE UNITED 3, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 2
Richie Bennett provided another fairytale story in the Emirates FA Cup by helping to knock out Oldham Athletic, the team he once played for and which he still supports.
The 26-year-old striker, who scored twice in Carlisle United’s 3-2 giantkilling act, admitted his family were divided at Brunton Park on Saturday, November 4.
Richie, who still lives in Derker, said: “My uncle, John Bennett was at the game and he is a massive Latics’ fan. He told me he would be happy for me to score a hat-trick as long as we lost 4-3.
“He goes to nearly every game and, when Latics were in the Premier League, my dad Simon went regularly with him to Boundary Park.
“I have a lot of friends who are also Latics’ fans. They were happy for me, but gutted about the result. It was a day of mixed emotions.”
Richie, who had done his homework by going to watch Latics play Bury, admitted it was special to play in front of his whole family while it was the first game his girlfriend Naomi had ever watched.
It was also a dream because Richie was still playing non-league football until four months ago for Barrow.
And he admitted his move to Carlisle had not been easy as it took 15 appearances for him to break his scoring duck.
But that ended with a goal in a 2-2 draw at Chesterfield followed by a brace against Latics in the next match.
Richie admitted: “It has been tough as I missed most of pre-season with Carlisle so been playing catch up in terms of fitness and gelling with the team.
“I was a bit behind the others, but the lads have helped me massively as I had been struggling as goals wouldn’t come.
“I have had chances that I would have put in had circumstances been different, and it has been tough mentally. Luckily I have had the support of the manager (Keith Curle), staff and players.
“They say the first goal is the hardest and the toughest challenge and I was more relaxed after finally getting it.”
Latics, 3-0 down after an hour, mounted a spirited fightback, but it was too little, too late as their hopes of a lucrative cup run ended at the first hurdle.
Manager Richie Wellens was boosted with the return of goalkeeper Johny Placide, but Jack Byrne was not given permission to play so missed the game.
Latics stared the game brightly and created a number of chances in the opening 20 minutes of the game as Queensy Menig volleyed wide from 12 yards, Dan Gardner hit the crossbar while Craig Davies was denied by a good save from keeper Jack Bonham.
Against the run of play, Carlisle United took the lead. Danny Grainger’s corner was nodded across the face of goal by Clint and Bennett was at the back post to head home.
Placide saved a header from Grainger on the hour hour mark before Latics went close on two occasions.
Eoin Doyle did excellently to win the ball inside the penalty area and he picked out Green on the edge of the box but his shot was deflected over the crossbar.
From the resulting corner, Green’s ball in found the head of captain Peter Clarke and he came within a whisker of levelling, but his effort went inches past the post.
Green picked out Menig in the penalty area, he took a touch and shot but Gary Liddle blocked to deny the winger.
Latics would rue those missed chances as the home side extended their lead after 36 minutes.
The ball fell to Hallum Hope 18 yards out and he found the top corner to put the home side in control.
Latics started the second half well and Gardner fired inches wide after 53 minutes from 25 yards.
Gardner turned provider minutes later as he picked out the run of Davies but the striker’s shot was blocked.
Carlisle looked to have put the game beyond doubt on the hour mark as Bennett notched his second of the game and Carlisle’s third when he converted a cross from Reggie Lambe.
Latics reacted well and put up a spirited fight.
They pulled a goal back after 64 minutes through the head of Clarke. He powered a header past the goalkeeper following a cross from Dummigan.
Latics continued to attack as substitute Ryan Flynn dragged a shot inches wide after 69 minutes before they pulled another goal back.
A corner into the box found Aaron Amadi-Holloway whose first shot was saved but he followed up the rebound to pull another one back.
Latics had to be wary of the counter attack as Grainger saw his effort tipped over the bar by Placide but Latics continued to fight until the final minute to get the equaliser.
Their best chance during that spell was after 85 minutes as Clarke found space inside the penalty area, but elected to try and take the goalkeeper on instead of striking and the keeper saved.
Oldham Athletic (4-4-2): Placide; Dummigan, Clarke, Bryan, Hunt (Nepomuceno 70); Green (Flynn 66), Fane, Gardner, Menig (Holloway 62); Doyle, Davies. Subs (not used): Ruddy, Wilson, Gerrard, Omrani.
Goals: Bennett (22,60), Hope (36) for Carlisle. Clarke (64), Holloway (71) for Oldham.
Attendance: 3,900 (798 visitors)