Latics vs. Sutton United

Sky Bet League Two - Matchday 37

21 March 2022

Latics welcome Sutton United in a rescheduled fixture for their first competitive meeting at Boundary Park tomorrow evening (7:45pm KO).

John Sheridan's outfit enter the clash in horrid form after Exeter City compounded the 'boys in blue' to their fourth straight defeat in Sky Bet League Two.

Goals from Kyle Taylor and Jevani Brown secured the victory for the Grecians despite Nigel Atangana's red card in added time after a reckless tackle on Christopher Missilou.

Form Guide

Last time out, Sutton were held to a point on home turf by Tranmere Rovers, afellow promotion-chasing side, after Ben Goodliffe opened the scoring in the first-half, Sunderland loanee Josh Hawkes netted an equaliser to the frustration of the hosts.

The U's were left disappointed as they tasted back-to-back league defeats which were inflicted by Swindon Town and Walsall with the long journeys catching up on Matt Gray's men.

A few weeks ago, the Amber and Chocolates made national headlines with their remarkable upset against Wigan Athletic which sealed their place in the Papa John's Trophy final at Wembley.

Their last win in the league occurred when they comfortably overcame an out of form Rochdale at Gander Green Lane.

The U's Last Six:

Sutton United 1-1 Tranmere Rovers
Swindon Town 2-1 Sutton United
Walsall 1-0 Sutton United
Wigan Athletic 1-1 Sutton United (6-7 on penalties) - Papa John's Trophy
Sutton United 3-0 Rochdale
Sutton United 4-1 Scunthorpe United

Head-to-Head

Meetings: 1

Sutton United 1-2 Latics (Saturday 28 August 2021)

Earlier in the campaign, the sides met each other for the first time ever with Latics historically earning their first three points of the season whilst in South London.

In the 62^nd minute, David Ajiboye found the back of the net which dampened the spirits amongst the vocal and sold-out away end.

However, the visitors showcased an immense amount of character to produce a remarkable comeback during Gander Green Lane's first taste of hosting an EFL fixture.

Carl Piergianni led by example as the skipper guided his header past former Latics shot-stopper, Dean Bouzanis, and then, Junior Luamba smashed in his first professional goal in the 96^th minute to rescue the win.

Watch Out For

Enzio Boldewijn has been massively influential on the pitch for the U's, so far, this campaign.

Enzio Boldewijn - Two.jpg

Born in the Netherlands, Boldewijn began his career in his homeland with stints at Utrecht, Den Bosch and Almere City before making the move to England in May 2014.

The 29-year-old established himself as a fans favourite at Crawley Town whilst receiving a host of interest from teams higher up the pyramid.

A skilful wideman, Boldewijn scored 16 goals in 100 appearances for the West Sussex-based outfit, and then, Notts County swooped in for the services of the Dutchman on an undisclosed fee.

He enjoyed a three-year spell at the Meadow Lane and illustrated his class and ability in the Vanarama National League.

In The Dugout

Matt Gray has earned legendary status amongst the Sutton fans for his work on the touchline at the club.

Matt Gray.jpg

Gray had spells at Tottenham Hotspur, Cardiff City, Barnet, Hayes and Havant & Waterlooville before hanging his boots due to a variety of injuries at aged 25.

The 40-year-old has developed a host of vital coaching attributes whilst occupying assistant roles at Eastleigh, Aldershot Town and Crawley which stood him in good stead upon his tenure at the Amber and Chocolates.

A calm and collective character, Gray initially started his time in the hot seat on an interim basis before being rewarded with a permanent contract in May 2019.

Since then, he's remarkably led the club to promotion as champions to the EFL and was awarded the National League Manager of the Year for the 2020/21 campaign.

Match Officials

The official in the middle for the game is Marc Edwards.

Marc Edwards Referee.jpg

Edwards last officiated a Latics game in February 2020 for our 1-1 draw against Forest Green Rovers at Boundary Park. On that day, he handed out two yellow cards and zero red cards.

He's taken charge of 22 games, so far, this campaign, handing out a total of 71 yellow cards and two red cards.

Edwards will be assisted by Steven Rushton and David Avent, with Paul Marsden as the Fourth Official.

Sky Bet Odds

Sutton are currently 11/10 favourites to win this fixture.

Oldham are 9/4 to refind their form and take a vital step in the right direction to survival.

12/5 is the price on offer for the game to end level.

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

How To Follow The Game

Fixture News

21032022 iFollow Match Pass Sutton United Home

21 March 2022

Live match action on the £10 'match pass' is available on iFollow Latics in the UK and overseas for supporters who can't attend in person, with Roy Butterworth and Michael Brown talking you through the match action.

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 1-3 Sutton United

22 March 2022

Latics were unable to put an end to a winless run as Sutton United exemplified a resolute nature in their first game at Boundary Park.

A brace from Ricky Korboa and Harry Beautyman’s spot-kick sealed the victory for the U's on a mild evening in Greater Manchester.

Will Sutton, an impressive youngster, provided Latics will a glimmer of hope with ten minutes to spare, but it wasn’t enough to prevent a fifth defeat on the bounce.

With another disappointing defeat at the weekend, Shez named three changes to his team selection as the Amber and Chocolates arrived up north. Benny Couto, Jack Stobbs and Dylan Bahamboula were in the side as a result of Carl Piergianni (suspension), Sam Hart (suspension), Christopher Missilou (absent) and Harrison McGahey (injury) being unavailable.

The ‘boys in blue’ began the encounter with attacking intent and it was highlighted when Nicky Adams typically delivered a pinpoint cross onto the head of Hallam Hope, the attacker towered above his marker, but directed his header over familiar face, Dean Bouzanis’ crossbar.

Although, frustration arrived in the 20^th minute as the U’s took the lead courtesy of a bizarre scenario. As the ball rolled around the six-yard box, Couto frantically tried to avert the danger, however, his clearance cannoned off Korboa and into the back of Danny Rogers’ net.

Couto, a highly-rated talent, looked to atone for his error and exemplified his quality as Omar Bugiel produced an excellent looped pass to send David Ajiboye clean through on goal, however, the young left-back sprinted back in order to block the effort.

Matt Gray’s side could’ve extended their advantage in first-half added time as Bugiel cleverly steered his header towards Ben Goodliffe inside the six-yard box, he ambitiously tried an overhead-kick which skimmed the top of the crossbar.

After the restart, Sutton raced out of the block and snatched another goal which dampened spirits in the terraces. Korboa, lively through the game, found himself one-on-one with Rogers, the forward remained composed before he slotted his strike into the left-hand bottom corner.

With Shez barking orders from the touchline, Latics endeavoured to make something of the match and Hope nearly had embraced the rewards when his effort from the edge of the area had the ‘keeper panicked as the ball cannoned off the crossbar.

The visitors secured all three points when David Ajiboye, who netted against Latics in the reverse fixture, dribbled into the area and won a penalty-kick after being brought down by Tope Obadeyi. A former Latics trialist in 2016, Beautyman stepped up and tucked his spot-kick into the bottom corner.

W.Sutton has been a bright spark in tough few weeks for Oldham and he gave his teammates a bit of belief in the 81^st minute. The central-defender climbed highest from Stobbs’ cross, and then, coolly guided his header past Bouzanis.

In search of a remarkable promotion to the third-tier, Sutton remained organised across the field as they managed to hold on to a titanic victory in the second-ever encounter between the two teams.

Oldham Athletic XI – Rogers (GK), Couto, Clarke ©, Adams (Obadeyi 67’), W.Sutton, Hope, Whelan, Stobbs, Hunt (Vaughan 67’), Bahamboula, Keillor-Dunn.

Unused Subs: Leutwiler (GK), Diarra, Hopcutt, Da Silva, Turner.

Goals: W.Sutton 81’

Sutton United XI – Bouzanis (GK), Wyatt, Rowe, Goodliffe, Ajiboye, Davis © (Beautyman 60’), Bugiel (Dundas 81’), Lovatt, Korboa, Boldewijn, Bennett (Kouassi 88’).

Unused Subs: Nelson (GK), House (GK), Kouassi.

Goals: Korboa 20’, 49’, Beautyman 77’

Attendance: 4,624 (62 away)

Referee – Marc Edwards