Bradford City vs. Latics

Sky Bet League Two - Matchday Two

13 August 2021

Latics play their second game of the Sky Bet League Two season when they travel to Yorkshire to take on Bradford City this weekend (Saturday 14 August - 3pm KO).

Despite defeat in the campaign opener at the hands of Newport County, Keith Curle’s men come into this game on a high following the penalty shootout success against Tranmere Rovers in the Carabao Cup Round One.

A spirited comeback featuring goals from Dylan Bahamboula and an own goal saw Oldham come from two behind to force the shooutout.

Form Guide

The Bantams picked up a point in their opening League Two game of the season, drawing 0-0 with Exeter City at St James’ Park.

Unlike Latics, they were unable to secure their place in the hat for the Second round of the league cup as they lost 2-1 to Sky Bet Championship side Nottingham Forest.

Bradford will be hoping that their end of 2020/21 season form will not continue. They didn’t win any of their last seven league games, losing six of them.

Head-to-Head

Meetings: 116

Latics wins: 48
Bradford wins: 34
Draws: 34

Scored - 174
Conceded - 143

The two sides met four times last campaign, with Latics very much having the better of the exchanges, taking the unbeaten run to five between the two teams since the 3-0 defeat in August 2019.

The last time they met they couldn’t be separated as it headed for a stalemate but Latics won each of the previous three.

In the EFL Trophy, a Daivis Keilor-Dunn goal followed by a late Alfie McCalmont brace saw Oldham take the points in a 3-1 win.

Just over two weeks later, Latics knocked the Bantams out of the FA Cup, successfully overturning a one goal deficit to claim a 2-1 win courtesy of great long range efforts from Conor McAleny and Danny Rowe.

At Boundary Park, Latics eased to a 3-1 win in the league, with a superb solo goal from the tricky Bahamboula being the main talking point.

Watch Out For

Abo Eisa has recently joined the ranks at Valley Parade.

Abo Eisa.jpeg

The pacey winger arrived from Scunthorpe United. Latics fans may remember Eisa from his sterling performance in the Iron’s win at Boundary Park last term and Curle and co will be looking to avoid a repeat.

Pacey and direct, Eisa has a skillset that is capable of causing defences all kind of trouble.

He made his debut from the bench in the 2-1 loss to Forest and he could well be in line for his first start for the visit of Oldham.

Eisa began his career with Uxbridge and then went on to Wealdstone before making the step up to the Football League with Shrewsbury Town.

He played 14 times for the Shrews, scoring one goal and gained league two experience with a loan spell at Colchester United.

An impressive 18 goals in 76 games for Scunthorpe was his best spell and the Bantams had some competition to secure his services on a two-year-deal.

A Foot In Both Camps

A name that both sets of fans will remember well is Danny Rowe.

Current Chesterfield striker Rowe spent time at both clubs last season, making the move from Boundary Park to Valley Parade in the winter transfer window.

Rowe managed 11 in 32 for Latics whilst also posting stats of 5 in 18 for Latics’ opponents.

Towards the back end of last season, Rowe was again on the move as he dropped back into the Vanarama National League with Chesterfield.

In The Dugout

Derek Adams is the man in the dugout for the hosts.

Derek Adams.jpg

Adams joined Bradford this summer, leaving Morecambe.

Whilst with the Shrimps, Adams impressively led the club into the third tier of English football via the playoffs and City fans will be hoping that he can replicate that achievement with them.

The other clubs that the 46-year-old has managed are Ross County and Plymouth Argyle.

Match Officials

The man in the middle is Stephen Martin.

Stephen Martin.jpg

His last fixture in charge of Latics arrived in August 2016 as we won 1-0 away at Bury and handed out three yellow cards.

He took charge of 30 games last campaign, handing out a total of 68 yellow cards and three red cards.

He will be assisted by Natalie Aspinall and Matthew McGarth, with David Avent as the Fourth Official.

Sky Bet Odds

Bradford have been made odds on favourites to claim all three points, with the bookmakers pricing them up at 4/5.

Meanwhile Latics are better value at 3/1 whilst the draw is 13/5.

Please gamble responsibly by clicking here. For more information visit: www.begambleaware.org

How To Follow The Game

Live commentary is only available on iFollow Latics with Roy Butterworth and Michael Brown who will be talking you through the match.

For more information, visit the iFollow Latics page by clicking here.

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

Match Reports

Bradford City 2-1 Latics

14 August 2021

Latics suffered heartbreak in the last minute of the match after they nearly secured a dramatic point in West Yorkshire.

Lee Angol gave the hosts the lead with a half-volley from outside the area during the first-half at the Utilita Energy Stadium. Dylan Bahamboula created insane limbs in the away end after the flamboyant attacker netted a well-deserved equaliser in added time.

However, the Bantams won a last minute penalty which Angol just about managed to slot past an injured Danny Rogers which secured their first win over Latics since August 2019.

Once again, Head Coach Keith Curle was absent for the fierce encounter after contracting Covid-19 with Colin West and Alan Sheehan occupying the touchline. They named four changes to the side with Jamie Hopcutt being handed his debut.

First of all, the Utilita Energy Stadium was absolutely rocking ahead of kick-off with both sets of supporters showing their appreciation to their team, a sight much missed in the football community.

The hosts had the first opportunity of the game after they won a free-kick on the left-hand side, Callum Cooke delivered onto the head of Angol, however, the former Leyton Orient man couldn’t steer his header on target to the frustration of the Bradford dugout.

Latics responded with a chance of their own when Nicky Adams’ corner was cleared into the path of Callum Whelan on the edge of the box, but the midfielder’s goal-bound strike was frustratingly blocked by a defender before being eventually cleared.

Derek Adams’ side should’ve taken the lead as a corner found an onrushing Gareth Evans and he fiercely headed from inside the six-yard box, however, the Latics ‘keeper gratefully watched it sail over the crossbar.

In the 32^nd minute, the Bantams fans erupted as Angol netted his first goal for the club. The ball fell nicely to him, just outside the area, and he sweetly struck on the half-volley before it went through Rogers and hitting the back of the net. Notably, the goalkeeper picked up a knock which restricted his performance.

Oldham nearly responded instantly when Davis Keillor-Dunn latched onto a loose ball in a dangerous area with the attack-minded individual managing to spin and flick at goal, however, former Latics loanee Richard O’Donnell denied him at point-blank range.

Early into the second-half, Carl Piergianni rose highest from a corner before powerfully heading towards the far post, but a defender managed to clear the ball off the line as momentum began to build.

The Citizens manufactured a slick counter-attack on their opposition which saw substitute Charles Verman drive with intent towards the Latics goal before having the vision to slot Angol through on the right-hand side, however, the forward couldn’t add to his tally as he smashed way over the crossbar from inside the area.

Following that, the visitors had an attack which caused the Paraders endless problems before eventually it fell to Keillor-Dunn and he managed to turn his marker before he curled an effort just past the post.

In the 92^nd minute, Latics found a much-deserved equaliser as Hallam Hope made a great run inside the box before he laid it to Bahamboula and the fans favourite impressively curled his effort into the far corner creating carnage in the away end.

However, disaster struck for Oldham when Keillor-Dunn failed to clear the danger which resulted in Andy Cook dribbling at Piergianni and the club captain clumsily tripped the target man in the box with the referee pointing to the spot. Angol stepped up and slotted his penalty in the right-hand bottom corner past the injured Rogers.

Bradford City XI – O’Donnell (GK), Ridehalgh, O’Connor, Canavan ©, Cooke, Cook, Gilliead, Evans (Vernam 51’), Watt, Angol, Cousin-Dawson.

Subs: Hornby (GK), Foulds, Kelleher, Staunton, Crankshaw, Lavery.

Goals: Angol 32’, 98’

Oldham Athletic XI – Rogers (GK), Clarke (Blyth 89’), Hart, Cisse, Piergianni ©, Adams (Dearnley 76’), Whelan, Keillor-Dunn, Stobbs, Bahamboula, Hopcutt (Hope 53’).

Subs: Danielewicz (GK), Fage, Jameson, Diarra.

Goals: Bahamboula 92’

Attendance: 17,264 (1,119 away)

Referee – Stephen Martin

Ticket News

Bradford City (A) Tickets & Travel

11 August 2021

150 tickets remain for this weekend’s fixture (Saturday 14 August - 3pm KO) at the Utilita Energy Stadium against Bradford City from the initial allocation.

Oldham Athletic would like to apologise for the delay in the sale of these tickets and the resulting frustration and confusion that has been caused. This is alongside a new ticketing system which has also had its unforeseen problems that the club is still working through.

Originally the club requested for 1,000 tickets, which was on the assumption a further allocation would be made available if needed alongside the pay-on-the-day facility.

Latics have received an initial allocation of 1,000 tickets for the Midland Road Stand, with an extra 200 now being added by the hosts. Unfortunately the South Stand, at this moment in time, is not going to be opened and pay-on-the-day is not in operation, meaning the total number of tickets available this week is 1,200.

After priority was given to Season Card holders on Tuesday, tickets are now on general sale both at the Ticket Office and online by clicking here. The remaining tickets need to be sold before any additional tickets are made available, if at all.

The prices are as follows:

Adults (24-65)	£20
Seniors (65+)	£18
Young Person (17-23)	£18
Youth (12-16)	£10
Junior (11 & Under)	£5
Family Ticket (x2 Adults & x2 Juniors (11 & Under))	£45

Coach travel is sold out with a departure time of 1pm from Boundary Park.

For fans who have booked online, tickets will not be posted directly due to the tight timescales but can be collected from the Ticket Office the day after purchase and at the opponents ground on the day of the game from the players entrance where a steward will be situated.

The opening hours of the Ticket Office for the remainder of this week are as follows:

Thursday 12 August	10am till 6pm
Friday 13 August	10am till 6pm

Match tickets and coach travel will go off sale online and in-person at 3pm on Friday 13 August.

For ambulant, wheelchair and disabled supporters tickets will have to be purchased from the Ticket Office if possible. For more information and any assistance, please email supporter.services@oldhamathletic.co.uk