Latics vs. Exeter City

Sky Bet League Two - Matchday 36

18 March 2022

Latics are set to welcome Exeter City to Boundary Park (3pm KO) which begins a hectic two-week schedule for John Sheridan's outfit.

Oldham will be looking to return to winning ways after they were condemned to a third defeat on the bounce on Tuesday evening in the West Midlands.

Will Sutton netted his first professional goal which sparked belief amongst the 566 travelling supporters, however, Walsall demonstrated immense character as Emmanuel Osadebe and, former Latics loanee, Conor Wilkinson fired Mike Flynn's side into a 2-1 victory at the Banks's Stadium.

Form Guide

The Grecians enter the encounter with an abundance of confidence which has been highlighted by only suffering defeat on one occasion in their last 12 outings in Sky Bet League Two.

Last time out, Matt Taylor's men sealed an impressive three points on home soil against Crawley Town in midweek courtesy of a brace from a familiar face to the Oldham supporters, Timothee Dieng.

Remarkably, the Devon-based outfit confidently overcame Swindon Town with Jevani Brown, Jonathan Grounds and Matt Jay confirming a 3-1 scoreline at St James' Park as they continue their promotion push.

Exeter's only loss in recent weeks arrived against Mansfield Town, and despite battling until the final whistle, the Grecians tasted a 2-1 defeat at the One Call Stadium although they're unbeaten since that fixture.

The Grecians' Last Six:

1. Exeter City 2-1 Crawley Town

2. Exeter City 0-0 Salford City

3. Exeter City 3-1 Swindon Town

4. Mansfield Town 2-1 Exeter City

5. Bristol Rovers 1-1 Exeter City

6. Exeter City 4-3 Harrogate Town

Head-to-Head

Meetings: 34

Latics wins: 11
Exeter City wins: 15
Draws: 8

Earlier in the campaign, Oldham were defeated by Exeter in the South West after Jay and Brown got themselves on the scoresheet for the hosts, Jamie Bowden produced a stunning consolation with minutes to spare in the match, but the lads couldn't snatch a point.

Latics were last victorious over the Grecians in March 2021 as Harry Kewell's side outclassed a stern outfit. Kyle Jameson opened the scoring before Alfie McCalmont perfectly executed his strike into the back of the net from the edge of the area - a goal of the season contender.

On their prior visit to Boundary Park, Matt Taylor witnessed his team play out a goalless draw on a summer's evening as the backline of Oldham displayed a resolute performance in order to pick up a clean sheet.

Key Man

Matty Jay has illustrated his class for numerous years and will be eager to make an impression in Greater Manchester.

Matt Jay.jpg

After learning his trade during loan spells at Weston-super-Mare, Hayes & Yeading United and Truro City, Jay has firmly established himself as a fans favourite amongst the faithful at St James' Park.

The 26-year-old has the ability to unlock defences as well as possessing the quality to find the back of the net which he exemplified throughout the 2020/21 season. Impressively, Jay notched 20 goals in 48 appearances in all competitions as the Grecians narrowly missed out on a play-off place.

Born in Torbay, he's attracted interest from higher up the pyramid, and if decides to progress his career at a higher level, Jay will join a lucrative list of talent, which includes Ollie Watkins, that the fan-owned club has developed and sold on.

In The Dugout

A highly-rated manager, Matt Taylor will bring a promotion-chasing Grecians to Boundary Park.

Matt Taylor - Exeter City.jpg

The 40-year-old spent a lot of time grafting in the non-league circuit as a player before a move to Exeter eventually earned himself the title of an EFL player.

After helping the Grecians to promotion to Sky Bet League Two and featuring for several years in the fourth-tier, he went on to apply his trade at Charlton Athletic, Bradford City, Colchester United, Cheltenham Town and Newport County.

Born in Chorley, Taylor began his coaching career with Exeter as an U23s coach, and then, succeeded Paul Tisdale, a club legend, in the dugout at St James' Park in June 2018 and strived to impact the fortunes of the Devon outfit.

A three-time Manager of the Month winner, the former defender has consistently nurtured young assets at the football club as well as guiding the Grecians to a play-off place in the 2019/20 campaign.

Match Officials

The official in the middle for the game is Sebastian Stockbridge.

Sebastian Stockbridge.jpg

Stockbridge last officiated a Latics game in December 2021 for our 1-3 defeat against Scunthorpe United at Boundary Park. On that day, he handed out two yellow cards and zero red cards.

He's taken charge of 28 games, so far, this campaign, handing out a total of 80 yellow cards and four red cards.

Stockbridge will be assisted by Andrew Aylott and Lisa Rashid, with Daniel Woodward as the Fourth Official.

Sky Bet Odds

Exeter City are the bookmakers' favourites for the match, priced at 19/20.

Latics are 13/5 to pick up the win whilst a draw between the sides is 12/5.

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

How To Follow The Game

Ticket News

04032022 March Ticket Offer

4 March 2022

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

Unfortunately, an iFollow match pass stream isn't available in the UK due to the 3pm blackout from broadcasters.

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

Latics 0-2 Exeter City

19 March 2022

Latics suffered a four defeat on the bounce as an in-form Exeter City outfit secured maximum points at Boundary Park.

After an actionless first-half, Kyle Taylor fired the Devon-based side into the lead in front of the travelling contingent as the Grecians strived to maintain their impressive run of form.

The hosts remained determined to salvage something from the encounter and were handed the perfect opportunity as they won a penalty kick, however, Sam Hart was denied by Cameron Dawson.

Nigel Atangana received a red card for the Grecians late on, but they still managed to extend their advantage courtesy of Jevani Brown in added time.

Following a midweek loss in the West Midlands, Shez opted for three changes to his side for the visit of Exeter City. Jordan Clarke, Tope Obadeyi and Callum Whelan returned the starting XI and endeavoured to make an impact in the Sky Bet League Two fixture.

It was a fairly lacklustre opening 15 minutes with neither side possessing creative flair in promising areas of the pitch as the sun beamed down in Greater Manchester. The only noteworthy moment arrived when Jack Sparkes delivered an inviting set-piece into the penalty box, Kieran Phillips flicked towards goal, but Danny Rogers collected the Huddersfield Town loanee’s attempt with ease.

An encouraging counter-attack provided a glimmer of hope for the ‘boys in blue’, Dylan Fage utilised his abundance of speed and agility to pounce of high backline and the attack-minded full-back raced clean through on goal, however, he dragged his low effort past the far post from a tight angle.

Davis Keillor-Dunn, looking to rekindle his form from throughout February, cleverly crafted an opening for himself on the edge of the area in the 29^th minute of the match. He instinctively spun his marker with a piece of skill before he adjusted his body posture to strike on goal in which he saw their shot-stopper tip over his crossbar.

Just before the interval, Archie Collins supplied a pinpoint corner, and as a result, Pierce Sweeney powerfully steered his header past the far corner with many relieved facial expressions occupying the 18-yard box.

Born in Chorley, Matt Taylor’s half-time team talk worked a treat as the Grecians broke the deadlock immediately after the restart. Jack Caprice floated his cross onto the head of Taylor, and the former AFC Bournemouth prospect expertly flicked past the Latics ‘keeper.

A club with a unique identity and embracing the fan-owned model, Exeter should’ve doubled the visitors’ tally after Sam Stubbs somehow directed his unmarked header from the inside six-yard box over the crossbar – Oldham were massively let off the hook.

The home terraces erupted when the referee pointed to the spot as Caprice was adjusted to produce a high foot on Missilou with 70 minutes on the clock. Hart, a determined and fearless individual, stepped up from 12-yards, but frustratingly witnessed his spot-kick get saved by Dawson which meant that Latics have missed both penalties that they’ve won this campaign.

Although the travellers would’ve been frustrated themselves as they failed to finish the game with 11 men, Atangana clumsily fouled Missilou on the halfway line which give the referee no choice but to send him off.

Matt Jay, an idolised maestro in the final third for the Grecians, made an impact from the bench as he dribbled into the area with intent before he pulled it back to J.Brown, and the attacking-midfielder kept his composure to curl into the top corner to extend his side’s lead in added time.

As the final whistle neared, frustration arose on and off the pitch for Latics as Exeter illustrated immense character to secure all three points with their search for promotion gathering momentum.

Oldham Athletic XI – Rogers (GK), Clarke ©, Hart, Adams, Whelan, Hope (Stobbs 90’), Keillor-Dunn, Fage (Missilou 65’), Hunt, Obadeyi, Sutton.

Unused Subs: Leutwiler (GK), Diarra, Bahamboula, Couto, Vaughan.

Exeter City XI – Dawson (GK), Caprice, Sparkes, Stubbs, Collins, Dieng (Atangana 46’), Phillips (Zanzala 68’), Taylor (Jay 78’), J.Brown, Sweeney ©, Hartridge.

Unused Subs: S.Brown (GK), Key, Coley, Diabate.

Goals: Taylor 52’, J.Brown 96’

Red Card: Atangana 92'

Attendance: 5,111 (452 away)

Referee – Sebastien Stockbridge