City 0 Oldham 0
Apr 13, 2024 20:40:10 GMT
Post by Rijs on Apr 13, 2024 20:40:10 GMT
A fair result as there was nothing much to choose between the two teams overall. Athletic had the better of the first half (certainly much more possession) but the second was even. Both keepers made two very good saves; both teams missed chances; both defended pretty solidly on the whole. So it ended goalless, with the Latics striking the post being the closest we came to a goal. There didn't seem to be as much difference between the two teams as the table indicated, and City were without the injured Josh Parker whom they clearly missed up front. But it was great to see Zac returning for the last twenty minutes, and he made a visible difference.
At the back, Burley (my player of the season) and Phillips played strongly to deny the Lancastrians many chances. Ashby put in another good shift and Lewis Coyle also impressed with his workrate. So did Harvey Greenslade - lots of energy, but he missed with two or three decent chances.
City's main deficiency was the lack of speed and forward impetus in their build-up, a problem we have noted on here before. On several occasions, they made a quick break forward and Oldham looked anxious as they hurried back, only for the Hoops to stop at the edge of the box and pass backwards. Result - the visitors got more men behind the ball and the initiative was lost. We were also not getting to the byline often enough. At this level, you don't get many goals if you don't attack with speed. But Oldham had a similar problem, which may be one reason why their promotion push has died.
Overall City will be more satisfied than their visitors today, but will be ruing a few missed opportunities.
At the back, Burley (my player of the season) and Phillips played strongly to deny the Lancastrians many chances. Ashby put in another good shift and Lewis Coyle also impressed with his workrate. So did Harvey Greenslade - lots of energy, but he missed with two or three decent chances.
City's main deficiency was the lack of speed and forward impetus in their build-up, a problem we have noted on here before. On several occasions, they made a quick break forward and Oldham looked anxious as they hurried back, only for the Hoops to stop at the edge of the box and pass backwards. Result - the visitors got more men behind the ball and the initiative was lost. We were also not getting to the byline often enough. At this level, you don't get many goals if you don't attack with speed. But Oldham had a similar problem, which may be one reason why their promotion push has died.
Overall City will be more satisfied than their visitors today, but will be ruing a few missed opportunities.