Oldham Athletic 0, Carlisle United 0
Dec 29 2008 The Journal
GREG Abbott saw his Carlisle side keep free-scoring Oldham Athletic at bay yesterday as the Cumbrians took their fourth point in 48 hours from a productive festive fixture period.
And afterwards he said nobody should doubt his side’s passion now.
He said: “People have questioned our team spirit. I think those questions have been answered in this game. We have come up against a very good side and we have worked hard, battled for everything and we have deservedly taken a point. It could even have been more than that with the way they went for it.”
United spurned the early openings from a bright start with Danny Graham and Cleveland Taylor missing out on the chance to go one-on-one with Greg Fleming as the Latics stayed strong in defence.
Oldham had a good spell towards half-time with Lee Hughes firing a long-range volley over as they started to find their attacking feet.
An error from Jeff Smith, deep inside his own half just before the break, let Neil Eardley gain some yards and his cross was perfect for the on-rushing Darren Byfield. But the striker lost his balance at the vital moment and his first time shot flew in to the stands.
An all-action second period could have seen the match go either way, particularly in the closing stages as the game opened up with both sides going for the win.
Danny Graham had two half-chances with headers for the visitors, but Cleveland Taylor should have stolen the glory on 88 minutes when he latched on to a Simon Hackney cross.
He had the width of the goal to aim at but he sent the shot from his weaker left foot into the stands.
Oldham captain Sean Gregan was the culprit for the Latics. He rushed a 90th-minute volley, stabbing it millimetres wide of the upright when he had time to place the shot.
Oldham threw everyone forward as the clock ticked down, with Carlisle waiting to pounce on the break. But the clear-cut chance just wouldn’t come as the respective defences stood strong.
Captain Danny Livesey said: “We knew it was going to be tough but confidence was high from the Huddersfield win on Friday.
“We’ve got some good players in this side and I think we’re in a position now to start enjoying our football again.’’
OLDHAM ATHLETIC: Fleming; Eardley, Hazell, Gregan, Lomax, Lee, Allott, Maher, Taylor, Byfield, Hughes. Subs (not used): O’Grady, Smalley, Whitaker, Liddell, Alessandra.
CARLISLE UNITED: Krul; Raven, Livesey, Keogh, Liddle, Taylor, Bridge-Wilkinson, Kavanagh, Jeff Smith, Bridges, Graham. Subs (not used): Williams, Thirlwell, Birchall, Hackney, Dobie.
Attendance: 6,254
Referee: Darren Deadman (Cambridgeshire).
