Latics vs. Barrow AFC

Sky Bet League Two - Matchday Six

3 September 2021

Latics welcome Barrow to Boundary Park on Saturday as they look to continue an improved run of form (3pm KO).

Last time out, a Carl Piergianni's goal was enough to ensure Oldham started off their Papa John Trophy campaign in the right manner as they defeated the skipper’s former employers Salford City.

Keith Curle’s men claimed a dramatic 2-1 win at Sutton United in their last league outing and the game before that they beat higher league opposition to book their place in the third round of the Carabao Cup.

Form Guide

Club News

02092021 Barrow Matchday Programme

2 September 2021

Similar to Latics, Barrow have won one of their opening five league matches.

That came in their second league outing as they had too much for newly promoted Hartlepool United.

Elsewhere they have picked up points against Bristol Rovers and Exeter City, whilst suffering defeat against Stevenage and Harrogate Town.

Away from Sky Bet League Two, the Bluebirds overcame Scunthorpe United in the first round of the Carabao Cup, but their journey came to an end when they lost 6-0 to Premier League side Aston Villa at the next stage.

They drew with Accrington Stanley in their opening Papa John Trophy game but missed out on securing the bonus point, losing on penalties.

Head-to-Head

Meetings: 52

Latics wins: 22
Barrow wins: 25
Draws: 5

Scored - 82
Conceded - 88

Both sides won one of the two games when they faced off against each other in League Two last campaign, with Barrow looking to add to their record of scoring on their last 8 visits to Boundary Park.

A seven goal thriller at Holker Street saw Latics come out on top and claim a 4-3 win.

Coming from one-nil down, goals from Ben Garrity and Conor McAleny as well as a Danny Rowe brace gave Oldham the win.

At the back end of the season, a late Scott Quigley goal was enough to ensure Barrow left Boundary Park with all three points.

Watch Out For

Summer recruit Offrande Zanzala has enjoyed a fruitful start to life at Holker Street.

Offrande Zanzala.jpg

The Congo born striker has scored two goals in the four league matches that he has played for his new club, one of them coming in their 3-2 win over Hartlepool.

Coming through the ranks at Derby County, the 23-year-old spent time out on loan at Stevenage and Chester in the early stages of his career.

He then went to Accrington Stanley where his loan performances where enough to convince the club to make the deal permanent.

In total, he bagged 15 goals for Stanley in his 66 appearances for the club.

Last season, Zanzala departed the Wham stadium to join Crewe Alexandra but he found opportunities hard to come by and finished the season with Carlisle United following a January move.

June 2021 saw the forward sign on the dotted line to a two-year deal with Barrow.

Familiar Face

Current Barrow player Connor Brown used to turn out for Latics.

Connor Brown.jpg

The defender made 98 appearances for Oldham in total between 2012 and 2016.

The Sheffield-born player began his career with Sheffield United but he struggled to get a chance and was sent out on loan to Eastwood Town and Hinckley United before his permanent transfer to Boundary Park.

After departing Oldham, the 29-year old turned out for Guiseley and York City before he joined Barrow.

In The Dugout

Mark Cooper is the man in the dugout for the visitors.

Mark Cooper.jpg

Cooper was appointed boss at Barrow in late May 2021, following a short spell unemployed following his departure from Forest Green Rovers.

He was manager at Forest Green when they clinched their historic promotion to the football league.

The 52-year-old has also been in charge at Tamworth, Kettering Town, Peterborough United, Darlington, AFC Telford, Swindon Town and Notts County.

Match Officials

The man in the middle tonight is Carl Boyeson.

Carl Boyeson.jpg

His last fixture in charge of Latics arrived in April 2021 as we beat 3-0 against Harrogate Town at the EnviroVent Stadium and he handed out zero red cards as well as zero yellow cards.

He took charge of 29 games last campaign, handing out a total of 98 yellow cards and two red cards.

Oldham will be assisted by Lewis Raper and Paul Stonier, with Oliver Bickle the Fourth Official.

Sky Bet Odds

The bookmakers are predicting this one to be a close game with both sides currently priced at 8/5.

11/5 is available for the draw.

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

How To Follow The Game

Fixture News

02092021 Barrow Match Pass

2 September 2021

Live match action on iFollow is available for £10 due to the international break, with Roy Butterworth and Michael Brown on commentary.

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 0-3 Barrow AFC

4 September 2021

Latics were condemned to a defeat against Barrow on another frustrating afternoon at Boundary Park.

Ex-Latic Ollie Banks give the visitors the lead with a powerful strike from 25-yards before Barrow grabbed two goals in five minutes after half-time with Offrande Zanzala and Joe Grayson getting their name on the scoresheet.

After three wins in a week, Keith Curle constructed three changes for the clash against Barrow with the Head Coach handing starts to Alan Sheehan, Hallam Hope and Junior Luamba.

Mark Cooper’s men started the encounter on the front foot with attacking intent from the offset and they should’ve taken the lead when Josh Gordon received the ball inside the penalty area before turning and curling an effort just past the far post which left Jayson Leutwiler grounded.

Latics applied pressure of their own as Nicky Adams raced down the right-hand side before driving into the box and picking out Luamba in a promising position, however, the youngster failed to make contact with his strike to the frustration of the Boundary Park faithful.

In the 15^th minute, the Cumbrian-based outfit found themselves ahead courtesy of their skipper Ollie Banks. The deep-lying playmaker, who has developed a rivalry with Latics fans, impressively fired a powerful strike into the bottom corner from around 25-yards out before reeling away in celebration in front of the Oldham supporters.

The hosts tried to get themselves level as Dylan Fage managed to pick out Jamie Bowden with a cross and the Tottenham Hotspur loanee forcefully headed towards the top corner, however, Paul Farman produced excellent reflexes to deny him.

Just before the break, Sheehan curled a free-kick over the wall which looked bound for the top corner, but the Barrow ‘keeper, once again, superbly denied the player/coach.

The Bluebirds doubled their advantage in the 53^rd minute as Zanzala dribbled into the box and skipped past a few defenders inside the box before he kept his composure to slot into the far corner.

Just minutes later, Barrow made it three after Grayson delivered a free-kick from out wide into the area and the defender’s set-piece managed to go past everyone before finding its way into the back of the net.

Later on, Faysal Bettache tried his luck from the edge of the box, but the opposition goalkeeper managed to manufacture a great low save as he pushed it around the past.

Following that, substitute Raphael Diarra dragged a low strike wide of the target as Barrow secured the three points.

Oldham Athletic XI – Leutwiler (GK), Piergianni ©, Adams, Whelan (Keillor-Dunn 46’), Hope, Fage, Jameson, Bowden, Bettache, Luamba (Vaughan 73’), Sheehan (Diarra 58’).

Subs: Danielewicz (GK), Dearnley, Da Silva, Couto.

Barrow AFC XI – Farman (GK), Brough, Taylor, Zanzala (Kay 83’), Gordon, Jones, Gotts (White 78’), Grayson, Hutton, Banks ©, Stevens (Arthur 92’).

Subs: Lillis (GK), Moloney (GK).

Goals: Banks 15’, Zanzala 53’, Grayson 58’

Attendance: 4,232 (474 away)

Referee – Carl Boyeson