Latics vs. Crawley Town

Sky Bet League Two - Matchday 45

6 May 2022

Latics conclude their Sky Bet League Two season as they welcome Crawley Town to Boundary Park on Saturday (3pm KO).

In the final away outing of the campaign, Latics came off second best and fell to a 2-0 loss to Tranmere Rovers.

Form Guide

Crawley come into this fixture on a mixed run of form.

They had been on a great run but they have struggled a bit more in their previous three outings.

They have lost each of the last three and have failed to trouble the scoreboard in all of them.

However, prior to this they had won an impressive five games from six, keeping three clean sheets in the process.

The Reds currently sit in a comfortable 12^th position in the league table and will be looking to end the season on a high in order to maintain their place in the top half.

The Red Devils’ last six:

Crawley Town 0-2 Leyton Orient
Sutton United 3-0 Crawley Town
Mansfield Town 2-0 Crawley Town
Crawley Town 1-0 Walsall
Newport County 1-2 Crawley Town
Crawley Town 1-0 Barrow

Head-to-Head

Meetings: 13

Latics wins: 6
Crawley wins: 4
Draws: 3

Latics are unbeaten in their previous two meetings with Crawley.

When the two sides met earlier on in this season, it was a 2-2 draw at the People’s Pension Stadium.

Hallam Hope had given Latics a lead, but this was short lived as the hosts levelled the scoring less than two minutes later.

And just three minutes later, they had the lead meaning Oldham needed a 70^th minute equaliser courtesy of Christopher Missilou to earn a point from the game.

Oldham’s last win over Town came at the back end of last season. A brace from Conor McAleny and other strikes from Cameron Borthwick-Jackson and Dylan Bahamboula saw Latics run out 4-1 winners away from home.

Watch Out For

Ashley Nadesan is a name Latics fans may remember from the last time that the two clubs met.

Ashley Nadesan.jpg

In the 2-2 draw that was played out earlier on in the campaign, the 27-year-old bagged a brace and he will be looking to do more of the same when his side travel North to Boundary Park.

He was also on target in one of Crawley’s most recent league wins, netting the opener in the impressive 2-1 away win at Newport County as well as providing the assist for Ludwig Francillette to put his side 2-0 up in Wales.

The forward will is currently on nine goals for the season and will be hoping to reach double figures in the final game of the season.

Nadesan started his career with Horley Town and his first break into the professional game came with Fleetwood Town.

In between departing Fleetwood and joining current club Crawley, the Redhill born striker had two loan spells with Carlisle United.

To date, Nadesan has played 118 times for the Red Devils, scoring 24 times in the process as well as providing 15 assists.

In The Dugout

Lewis Young is the man in the dugout for the visitors.

Lewis Young.jpg

Standing in as temporary boss due to the suspension of manager John Yems, Young has taken charge of three games to date and his side have failed to pick up a point or score a goal in that time.

The 32-year-old is well known to the Crawley fans as he spent six years there as a player, making over 200 appearances for the club during that time.

Match Officials

Referee: Anthony Backhouse
Assistants: Hristo Karaivanov & Richard Wigglesworth
Fourth Official: Marvyn Amphlett

Sky Bet Odds

Latics have been made slight favourites to win the final game of the season and are priced at 6/4.

The Red Devils are at 13/8 whilst the draw is 23/10.

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

How To Follow The Game

Live commentary is available on iFollow Latics with 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 3-3 Crawley Town

7 May 2022

On the final day of the 2021/22 campaign, Latics were held to a meaningless draw on home turf by Crawley Town as a sombre mood graced the terraces after relegation was confirmed in the weeks prior.

In a game that signifies the end of a torrid season, the ‘boys in blue’ played out a draw with six goals being scored in the process.

Goals from Jack Stobbs and Davis Keillor-Dunn meant Oldham were two-nil up, but George Francomb and James Tilley made sure that the scoreline was even at the break.

Once again, the hosts were ahead when Jordan Clarke’s spectacular strike found the top corner, however, Aramide Oteh clinched an equaliser for the visitors.

With nothing to play for, Shez strived to restore a glimmer of pride on the pitch as well as provide an opportunity for numerous young players to showcase their potential. As a result, five changes occupied the starting XI with Harry Vaughan and Benny Couto named in the team.

An early opportunity arose for the Red Devils, Jake Hessenthaler contrived a surging run into the area, and then, he received possession before the midfielder drilled his strike straight at the shot-stopper.

In the 26^th minute, Vaughan embodied the ability that he possesses when the youngster had the vision and quality to pick out an unmarked Stobbs towards the right-hand side, and he remained cool to slot past Glenn Morris.

Following that, Latics doubled their advantage in the contest as Keillor-Dunn found himself one-on-one with the ‘keeper which resulted in his low effort being parried into the far corner.

Although, the hosts were dealt a blow when Danny Rogers clumsily lost possession inside his own six-yard box which allowed Francomb to tap into an empty goal to the goalkeeper’s despair and frustration.

Just before the interval, the Reds were level in the encounter as Ashley Nadesan sprinted down the left-wing before finding Tilley at the back post with his low cross, and the wideman managed to smash past Rogers.

After the restart, Francomb displayed a mouth-watering backheel which found Isaac Hutchinson on the edge of the penalty box, however, his powerful effort sailed over the crossbar.

With sixty minutes on the clock, Clarke produced a moment of brilliance to restore his team’s lead in Greater Manchester. The right-back received the ball around 25-yards away from goal and he fiercely drilled his strike into the top corner which left the goalkeeper with no chance.

Oteh, fresh off the bench, levelled the scoreline with one of his first touches following a scramble inside the box, it landed perfectly for the striker, and he flicked over the line from close range.

Latics were nearly celebrating again as Junior Luamba raced one-on-one with Morris, however, the young attacker could only steer his effort wide of the target.

As the final whistle sounded, a sense of relief became prominent around Boundary Park with a truly disappointing season finally coming to an end. Although, Shez exemplified his love for the club as he made the effort to show his appreciation to our supporters that have illustrated their loyalty on a consistent basis.

Oldham Athletic XI – Rogers (GK), Clarke, Piergianni ©, Whelan, Hope, Keillor-Dunn (Adams 73’), Jameson, Stobbs (Modi 66’), Missilou, Couto, Vaughan (Luamba 55’).

Unused Subs: Leutwiler (GK), Hunt, Hopcutt, Sutton.

Goals: Stobbs 26’, Keillor-Dunn 28’, Clarke 60’

Crawley Town XI – Morris (GK), Davies (Oteh 64’), Francomb ©, Craig, Nichols, Nadesan, Tilley (Kastrati 87’), Francillette, Ferry, Hessenthaler, Hutchinson.

Unused Subs: Seymour (GK), Gallacher.

Goals: Francomb 39’, Tilley 44’, Oteh 68’

Attendance: 4,591 (133 away)

Referee – Anthony Backhouse