Salford City vs. Latics

Sky Bet League Two - Matchday 19

26 November 2021

Selim Benachour begins his interim period in charge of Latics on the road against local outfit Salford City in front of a sold out away end on Saturday (3pm KO).

Last time out, Latics suffered a frustarting defeat at the hands of promotion-chasing Northampton Town on Tuesday evening.

After a defensive blunder, Jon Guthrie opened the scoring for the Cobblers before Kion Etete, impressive throughout, doubled his side's lead as displayed intelligent movement inside the box.

In the second interval, Carl Piergianni led by example as he fired past their 'keeper to half the deficit and spark belief into his teammates, but it wasn't enough as Keith Curle subsequently departed the club.

Form Guide

The Ammies, tipped for promotion to Sky Bet League One, currently occupy 16^thplace in the division, however, they enter our encounter on a three-game unbeaten run in the league and are unbeaten during November in all competitions going into the last game of the month.

In their latest fixture, Gary Bowyer's side secured a point in a dramatic fashion as Brandon Thomas-Asante netted in the 95^thminute against Bristol Rovers on home turf.

Interestingly, Matty Willock and Ashley Hunter were both shown red cards during the match, but Willock's has been overturned, so it's just Hunter that will be unavailable for selection.

Prior to the game, Salford picked up a noteworthy win on their travels in North Yorkshire as they comfortably defeated Harrogate Town.

Their clash against fellow strugglers Scunthorpe United finished all square in Keith Hill's first game in charge of the Iron.

Salford City 1-1 Bristol Rovers
Harrogate Town 0-2 Salford City
Scunthorpe United 1-1 Salford City
Dagenham & Redbridge 0-1 Salford City (Emirates FA Cup)
Salford City 1-2 Exeter City
Forest Green Rovers 3-1 Salford City

Head-to-Head

Meetings: Five

Salford City wins: Two
Latics wins: Two
Draws: One

Scored - Five
Conceded - Eight

Latics have already beaten the Ammies in the Papa John's Trophy this season courtesy of Piergianni's fierce header in front of the Chaddy End to confirm a 1-0 scoreline. Benny Couto made his debut in the blue of Oldham on that occasion.

In terms of last league meeting, the boys in blue were also victorious at Boundary Park in January 2021.

A dominent first-half display by Richie Wellens' outfit rounded off by Ian Henderson's strike seperated the sides at the break, however, Dylan Bahamboula managed to equalise after the interval before Davis Keillor-Dunn thundered a long-range effort into the corner in the 92^ndminute.

Familiar Faces

Latics supporters will fondly remember the excellence of Conor McAleny.

Conor McAleny.jpg

The 29-year-old, known for cutting inside from the left-hand side, enjoyed a productive individual spell at the club for the whole of the 2020/21 campaign.

McAleny impressively found the back of the net on 21 occasions for Oldham with Bahamboula flourishing on the other flank.

Prior to Latics, McAleny began his career on the blue half of Merseyside with Everton before spending time out on loan from Goodison Park.

His most productive period arrived at Oxford United as McAleny remarkably netted ten goals in 18 appearances for the U's in the third-tier of English football.

Oldham fans will also remember Matty Lund, Jason Lowe and Theo Vassell representing the club during different eras. Our former goalkeeper coach, Carlo Nash, will be on the touchline alongside Bowyer as well.

In The Dugout

Gary Bowyer is currently in charge of the Ammies.

Gary Bowyer - Two.jpg

The Manchester-born gaffer has been in post since March 2021 after the unexpected departure of Richie Wellens.

Following a brief playing-career, Bowyer began his career in the dugout at Blackburn Rovers with two spells as caretaker before being given the job permanently.

Bowyer produced an incredible promotion to Sky Bet League One against all odds during his tenure at Blackpool which lasted just over two years.

Although, he had an unsuccessful time at Bradford City prior to his time at Salford, but relished in his opportunity to develop young talent at Derby County as he operated in a coach role for their U23's.

Ground

Peninsula Stadium (Moor Lane)

Salford City - Moor Lane.jpg

Capacity: 5,108

Record Attendance: 4,518 (vs. Leeds United, Carabao Cup, August 2019)

Opened: 1978

Match Officials

The official in the middle for the game is Paul Howard.

Paul Howard.jpg

Howard last officiated a Latics game in October 2020 as we produced a stunning comeback away at Colchester United. A brace by McAleny helped Latics to a 3-3 draw with Bahamboula making his debut for the club. On that day, he handed out four yellow cards and zero red cards..

He's taken charge of 15 games, so far, this campaign, handing out a total of 45 yellow cards and three red cards.

Howard will be assisted by Robert Atkin and Stephen Wade, with Carl Boyeson as the Fourth Official.

Sky Bet Odds

Salford are favourites going into the game at 7/10 with Latics priced at 7/2 for the three points.

A draw between the two sides can be found at 11/4.

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

How To Follow The Game

Ticket News

12112021 Salford City Ticket News

25 November 2021

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

Salford City 2-0 Latics

27 November 2021

Selim Benachour began his interim tenure of Latics with a frustrating defeat in a local affair on a freezing cold afternoon at the Peninsula Stadium.

After a fairly balanced first-half, Matty Lund gave the hosts the lead just before the half-time break with a header from close range against his former club.

Jack Stobbs illustrated determination and perseverance as he dribbled inside from the left-wing, but his powerful strike smashed the crossbar before Brandon Thomas-Asante fired the Ammies second to secure three points.

After a hectic week at the club, Benachour was named as the interim Head Coach following the departure of Keith Curle. Our Youth Team Manager was faced with the challenge of travelling to Salford for a fierce fixture in front of a sold-out away end.

The former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder opted to change the rigid 3-5-2 system to a 4-2-3-1 as well as bringing the creative flair of Dylan Bahamboula and Jamie Hopcutt back into to the side on either flank.

Latics started the encounter on the front foot and displayed attacking intent within the first minute. Zak Dearnley produced great work down the right-hand side whilst battling with Ashley Eastham before he picked out Davis Keillor-Dunn, but the creative midfielder sliced his effort wide of the target.

Dearnley, a former Manchester United player, continued to ask questions of the Ammies backline and registered his first shot on goal in the 28^th minute. The forward swiftly turned his marker on the edge of the box, and then, fired an attempt on target, however, Tom King stood strong to catch the ball.

Just before the interval, Gary Bowyer’s outfit had their first noteworthy attempt of the match. Josh Morris received possession around 25-yards from goal and fiercely struck goalwards which resulted in Jayson Leutwiler tipping his effort onto the post.

In the 45^th minute, the hosts were ahead courtesy of former Latic, Lund. Morris’ deflected cross from a wide set-piece found the box-to-box midfielder unmarked inside the six-yard area and he coolly steered his header into the far corner.

After the restart, Bahamboula tried to impact the game with his trademark trickery as he glided past Ibou Touray and raced into the area, however, Jordan Turnbull executed a tackle perfectly to prevent him from shooting on goal.

Following that, Jason Lowe went in search of a second for his side when he volleyed from the edge of the box, but it went wide of the target. Then, Lund’s low deflected effort slowly missed the near post.

After being introduced from the bench, Stobbs had an instant involvement in the match which nearly got his team level. The substitute cut inside from the left-wing before his thunderous curled effort cannoned off King’s crossbar.

However, Salford extended their lead in the 78^th minute through the lively Thomas-Asante. Turnbull flicked a long throw into the path of the attacker and blasted past the ‘keeper before jubilantly reeling away in joy.

In added time, the well-known Conor McAleny managed to clear Jamie Bowden’s low effort off the line to the relief of the Salford defenders, and it ensured that the Ammies would pick-up their second-ever victory against Oldham on home turf.

Salford City XI – King (GK), Love, Touray, Lowe, Eastham ©, Lund, Elliott (McAleny 70’), Morris, Turnbull, Shephard, Thomas-Asante.

Unused Subs: Jeacock (GK), Wright, Oteh, Smith, Dackers, Vassell.

Goals: Lund 45’, Asante-Thomas 78’

Oldham Athletic XI – Leutwiler (GK), Fage (Adams 84’), McGahey, Piergianni ©, Hart, Bahamboula, Bowden, Whelan, Hopcutt (Hope 56’), Keillor-Dunn, Dearnley (Stobbs 76’).

Unused Subs: Southerington (GK), Clarke, Vaughan, Bettache.

Attendance: 3,242 (1,347 away)

Referee – Paul Howard

Ticket News

Salford City (A) Tickets & Travel

25 November 2021

Ticket and travel information for the upcoming local away fixture at Moor Lane against Salford City (Saturday 27 November - 3pm KO).

Tickets are now sold out with the club receiving the full allocation of 1,100 standing tickets and 216 seated for the match which is also all-ticket with no pay on the day.

To be added to a waiting list, please email supporter.services@oldhamathletic.co.uk and you will be notified if any tickets are returned. The sale of any available tickets will finish completely the day before the game on Friday 26 November at 4pm.

Season Card Priority

Tickets went on sale to Season Card holders from Monday 15 November at 10am online and in-person from Tuesday 16 November at 10am with priority going off and general sale starting the week after on Monday 22 November at 10am.

Away supporters will be housed in the East Stand terrace and North Stand Block 'H' seats with entry through Turnstile 'A' situated at the east end of the ground on Nevile Road.

The pricing of tickets in both standing and seated areas purchased in advance are as follows:

Adults	£15
Seniors (60+)	£10
Concessions (16-21)	£10
Under 16's	£5
Under 5's*	Free

*Ticket only required for a reserved seat (charged at £5).

Any pre-purchased tickets that have not been collected can be obtained on the matchday at the Away Turnstile from 1:30pm.

The Ticket Office at Boundary Park will also be open for extended hours (9am-6pm) on Thursday 25th and Friday 26th to help facilitate collections.

Coach Travel

Official coach travel is still available for supporters for the short journey at the following prices. A 49-seater has been arranged but is dependent on sales with a departure time of 1:15pm from Boundary Park.