OLDHAM ATHLETIC 2, WALSALL 3
Oldham Athletic experienced another frustrating home display as they were beaten by Walsall.
If Latics thought they had turned the corner with the win against Bradford City three days earlier – that was only the second home league victory in nine attempts – they were sadly mistaken.
For some inexplicable reason it is just not happening for Latics at Boundary Park where they have picked only seven points from a possible 30.
However, you had to feel sympathy for head coach Harry Kewell’s side as lady luck was definitely not on their side as they were three times denied by the frame of the goal.
Kewell had, unsurprisingly, named the same side that had beaten Bradford, the first time this season he had done this.
It was a fascinating match of many twists and turns, though the uneventful opening 20 minutes was not an indication of what was in store as neither side carved out a chance.
However, in the 22nd minute, the match came to life as Dylan Fage clumsily brought down Wes McDonald to concede a penalty which Josh Gordon confidently converted.
Darrell Clarke’s side has two chances to double their advantage when Gordon’s goalbound effort was blocked by Cameron Borthwick-Jackson while Elijah Adebayo struck the upright with an angled drive.
Latics had two chances to equalise shortly before half time when Alfie McCalmont, clean through on goal, was denied by goalkeeper Jack Rose and Dylan Bahamboula struck a post with a drive.
The Saddlers started the second half positively as they doubled their lead through a Carl Piergianni own goal.
Goalkeeper Ian Lawlor had the misfortune of punching Cameron Norman’s corner against the unlucky defender as it bounced into the net.
Kewell’s side showed great character to get themselves back into the game as two minutes later they halved the deficit.
Bahamboula provided the assist as he cut back a low cross back for full back Dylan Fage to sweep home.
Latics were level in the 68th minute when Piergianni atoned for his own goal when he headed home Bahamboula’s floated free kick.
Sadly, all the hard work was undone when Walsall regained the lead four minutes later with what turned out to be the decisive goal when Adebayo flicked McDonald’s cross past Lawlor.
Latics’ pursuit of an equaliser was in vain as they didn’t create any meaningful chance as the Saddlers won at Boundary Park for the first time in seven years.
Oldham Athletic: Lawlor, H Clarke, Borthwick-Jackson, Piergianni, Garrity, Grant, Fage, Ntambwe (Keillor-Dunn 61), McAleny (Dearnley 67), Bahamboula, McCalmont (Barnett 85). Subs (not used): Bilboe, Whelan, Diarra, Hamer.
Goals: Fage, 55, Piergianni, 68, for Oldham. Gordon, 23, Piergianni, 53og, Adebayo, 72, for Walsall.