Saturday 5th December 2009
Youth Alliance League Game

OAFC- 1
(EAVES)
ROCHDALE - 3

Latics had the chance to gain an early revenge for the FA Youth Cup defeat to Rochdale when the sides met at Chapel Road on Saturday, however due to illness and injury several players were asked to play out of position, as Latics boss Tony Philliskirk struggled to find a balanced line-up.

The game began at a decent pace on a pitch that, considering the amount of rain throughout the week, was in excellent condition.

As Latics shaded the opening exchanges, but were forced into yet another change when the experienced Djeny Bembo-Leta came off after 20 minutes, to be replaced by Under 16 striker Jack Laird.

Despite the change Latics remained the more threatening side, but neither side was able to generate clear openings, going in to the break at 0-0.

The second followed much the same pattern as the first, until in the 55th minute Rochdale scored the opener.

A free-kick was whipped in from a wide position, and evaded everyone to find its way into the net at the back post.

Latics 0-1 Rochdale

Latics responded well but were forced into yet more changes on 65 minutes, when two more schoolboy players were brought on to replace two injured senior players.

Latics continued to probe for an equaliser, before being dealt a hammer blow on 75 minutes. Centre-half Laquan Esdaile-Biney went in bravely for a 50/50 challenge, but couldn't continue after the robust tackle left both players on the ground.

As Esdaile-Biney, who's featured several times for the Latics reserves, sat watching in frustration Rochdale scored their second, when a hopeful long-ball led freed a forward racing through, to score after 80 minutes.

It was a bitter blow for Latics, who'd not had time to re-organise to playing with 10 men, who by this stage were almost unrecognisably different from a full strength team.

Latics 0-2 Rochdale

Philliskirk must have been looking for a black cat just a minute later, when Under 16 Sam Fitzgerald, who had put in a Man of the Match performance for Athletic, was unable to continue following a horror tackle.

It was a bitter blow for Fitzgerald, making his debut for the Youth team, and with Athletic now down to just nine men, many of whom, like Fitzgerald, were inexperience at Youth level, Rochdale capitalised for their third of the game.

Latics 0-3 Rochdale

Latics, to their credit, continued to push forward and were finally rewarded for their gallant performance, in the face of ridiculous difficulty, when Tom Eaves scored a consolation with only injury time left to play.

Latics 1-3 Rochdale

It was a difficult game for Athletic before a ball was kicked, but with all things considered Philliskirk and assistant Mick Priest can feel proud of the character shown by their young and seriously depleted side.

Latics' youngsters are next in action on Saturday, when they face Morecambe at Chapel Road, kick off 11am.