Latics vs. Wolves U21

22 September 2020

Latics kick-off their new EFL Trophy campaign tonight as they welcome Wolves’ under-21 side to Boundary Park (7:45pm KO).

Harry Kewell’s men will be hoping they can get back to winning ways after another disappointing defeat, this time at the hands of Stevenage at the weekend.

Wolves’ development side are undefeated in their Premier League 2, Division Two season so far, beating Burnley and drawing with Leeds United.

As well as in their pre-season friendlies, which included draws against EFL sides Coventry City, Walsall and Crewe Alexandra.

Last season, Wolves made it out of their group before falling to a 3-0 defeat to Salford City in the knockout stages who later made it to the final of the competition that is still to be played.

Please note, for this fixture they are classed as U21 so will feature U18s for those players who represent the U23’s domestically but are too old for this competition.

Group So Far

This is the first game of the competition for both Latics and Wolves after international call-ups for the visitors earlier in the month but there has been action in Northern Group F already.

Doncaster Rovers and Bradford City played out a goalless draw before Rovers took the bonus point by winning the penalty shootout 4-1.

Head-to-Head

This will be the first time that Latics have come up against the development side of Wolverhampton Wanderers, but the clubs have met on 47 occasions with Oldham winning 19 of them.

The last time saw Wolves run out 3-0 winners at Boundary Park in League One. Oldham’s last win against Wolves came in 2013 when they recored a 2-1 victory at Molineux in an FA Cup replay.

Danny Phillishirk and Adam Rooney scored on that day to earn a Second Round tie with Mansfield.

Watch Out For

Theodor Corbeanu has scored in both of Wolves U23 league games this season.

The 18-year old can play in a variety of attacking roles but has most commonly has been utilised as a striker.

Corbeanu was born in Canada but is also eligible for Romania who he has represented at both under-16 and under-17 level.

In The Dugout

James Collins is the man in charge of the young Wolves side.

Collins was announced as the Head Coach of the development side in December 2019, replacing Rob Edwards.

His appointment at Molineux brought an end to his 32-year association with Crewe Alexandra.

On the game at Boundary Park, he told the Wolves official website:

"I saw them against Carlisle, a game that they won, and I thought they were a good footballing team. Harry Kewell makes sure they play football in the right way.

"But they also play in that league where people run in channels, people dip in and out down the sides and round the back, and test you in a physical way, but I do think they play good football, and it will be an entertaining spectacle."

Match Officials

Referee - Graham Salisbury
Assistant Referee 1 - Stephen Wade
Assistant Referee 2 - Richard Woodward
Fourth Official - Scott Simpson

Graham Salisbury.jpg

The EFL referee tonight Salisbury has taken charge of three games so far this season brandishing four yellows across his EFL Cup, League One and Two fixtures.

His last game involving Latics was back on New Year’s Day when Scunthorpe came to Boundary Park in a 2-0 win for the Iron.

Sky Bet Odds

Latics are favourites to make a winning start to their EFL Trophy campaign at 21/20.

Whilst Wolves are priced at 15/8 whilst the draw is 5/2.

Please gamble responsibly, for more information visit: www.begambleaware.org.

How To Follow The Game

Because the game is classed as behind-closed-doors, supporters can tune into a live match stream with commentary available for all subscribers on iFollow Latics, as Roy Butterworth and Mike Leyland talk you through the action.

Wolves supporters can also create an account by clicking here, scrolling down to 'Match Passes' and paying the £10 fee to access the stream.

Alternatively, supporters can also follow the game with live updates on the club's official Twitter account: @OfficialOAFC.

Oldham Athletic would like to make it clear that all fixtures are still strictly-behind-closed doors with spectators not being allowed entry.

Extensive guidelines are in place for the safety of officials and players whilst the events are taking place.

It is important you do not travel or attempt to visit Boundary Park on the day, especially with the new local restrictions in place.

Match Reports

Latics 4-0 Wolves U21s

22 September 2020

Danny Rowe, Bobby Grant and Conor McAleny got themselves on the scoresheet as Latics secure victory against Wolves U21s in the EFL Trophy.

The opening 15 minutes of the affair failed to offer any noteworthy opportunities with the only eye-catching attack seeing visiting full-back Hugo Bueno race down the left flank before floating a cross into the box, but his delivery just went past the onrushing attacker.

Following this, the Wanderers have a couple of half-chances on the Latics goal. The first saw Austin Samuels snatch at a loose ball inside the penalty area and he blasted over the crossbar before Ian Lawlor produced a fine save with his legs from Luke Cundle’s fierce strike from range.

Harry Kewell’s side began to grow into the clash and on his first full game for Oldham, Jordan Barnett, delivered on the head of Dylan Fage at the back post but the winger couldn’t direct his header on target from yards out.

In the 42nd minute, Latics’ pressure got its rewards as the hosts took the lead when Rowe played a one-two with Barnett inside the penalty area before the forward dropped his shoulder misleading the defender and blasted low and hard past the goalkeeper at his near post.

After half-time, the boys in blue fashioned a chance with a great piece of football which nearly saw them doubled their lead. It started with Tom Hamer spraying a long pass down the line to Fage and the attacker dribbled at his marker before skilfully chopping inside and he laid the ball to second-year scholar Ben Hough, who whipped an effort just past the post on his Oldham Athletic debut.

Substitute McAleny looked lively after his introduction and came close to scoring as he intercepted a loose pass from a Wolves defender and drove towards goal with intent. After creating space from himself to shoot, he dragged his effort wide of Joe Young’s goalpost.

Oldham doubled their lead with minutes left on the clock as Davis Keillor-Dunn switched the play to Grant on the right, and he dribbled inside and confidently smashed an effort from 25-yards into the corner, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance.

McAleny got in on the act just three minutes later as he powerfully struck at goal which stung the hands of Young, but it was too hot to handle, and he parried into the back of the net.

In added time, McAleny sealed Latics’ first win the EFL Trophy since August 2019 as Grant whipped a perfectly weighted cross towards the striker, it flicked off his shoulder and looped over the goalkeeper to wrap up the victory.

Oldham Athletic XI – Lawlor (GK), Jombati, Piergianni ©, Whelan (Garrity 46’), Rowe, Grant, Fage (Keillor-Dunn 77’), Barnett, Badan (McAleny 61’), Hough, Hamer.

Subs – Chapman (GK), De Silva, Luamba, Sutton.

Goals: Rowe 42’, Grant 85’, McAleny 88’, 91’.

Wolves U21s XI – Young (GK), Estrada, Marques, Lonwijk, Burno, Cundle, Otasowie (Wan 61’), Scott (Matheson 82’), Campbell (Carty 64’), Samuels, Corbeanu.

Subs – Smith (GK), Mayounga, Matheson, Tipton, He, Carty.

Referee – Graham Salisbury