Oldham Athletic
v Wrexham

Tuesday 10 August 2004 @ 15:00

THE VENUE
Address: Boundary Park, Furtherwood Road, Oldham, Lancashire, OL1 2PA.
Telephone Number: 0870 753 2000 Fax Number: 0161 627 5915
Web: www.oldhamathletic.co.uk E-mail Address: info@oldhamathletic.co.uk
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TRAVEL GUIDE
Directions from Wrexham: Head towards Chester on the A483 and join the A55 eastbound heading onto the M53. At junction 11 of the M53 branch left to pick up the M56 eastbound towards Manchester. At junction 9 of the M56 branch left and keep in left hand lanes to join the M6 northbound and after passing junction 21 take left hand lanes to branch left at junction 21A to join the M62 towards Manchester. At junction 12 of the M62 take left hand lanes to pick up the M60 ring road following signs for West Yorkshire. At junction 15 take right hand lanes to continue of the M60 and at junction 18 continue forward to rejoin the M62. Leave the M62 at junction 20 turning right at the roundabout for the A627(M) towards Oldham. At the junction with the A663 leave at the slip road and at the roundabout take the first exit onto the A663. Straight on at the traffic lights and remember to keep your speed to 40 mph as there is a speed camera on this road. Take your first right into Hilbre Avenue and Boundary park will be ahead of you. Distance = 67 miles; time = 1 hour 15 minutes.

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Car Parking: There is a huge car park at the ground and only costs £2.00.
By Train: Out of the three stations Oldham Mumps is a none starter as it is 45 minutes from the ground. If you are travelling via Manchester then Oldham Wernerth is the best bet but if you are travelling from Liverpool, Lancashire or Yorkshire then head to Mills Hills. If travelling to Manchester then you will end up at Piccadilly and you will then have to catch a Metrolink to Victoria to continue your journey from here. From Wernerth it is a 15 minute walk to the ground. Exit the station turning right into Featherstall Road South passing through one set of lights, a small roundabout with a Tescos until you reach the large roundabout where you turn left into Chadderton Way. Cross Chadderton Way using the subway and by the B&Q warehouse turn right and the ground is ahead of you, although you have to walk down the side of the ground to get to the away end. Trains do run from Manchester Victoria to Rochdale via Mills Hills but check that the service actually stops at the station. The plus side of Mills Hills other than being closer to the ground is that it passes two decent pubs en-route. On leaving the station head towards the traffic lights where you will pass the Rose of Lancaster on Burnley Lane. At the set of lights with by the school turn left and keep going until you reach the second pub called the Chadderton Park Inn. The ground is now in view and at the roundabout head in the direction of the ground and this leads you into the away end.
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Away Travel Club: Coaches leave the Racecourse at 17:30 and cost £8.00 per person. To book call in at the club shop or by phone on 01978 366388. Please note a booking fee is applicable with credit card orders.
By Bus: From Manchester catch the 181, 182 and 24 services to Bury and from Oldham catch the 408 bus or the 409 from the opposite direction.
Places to Drink: The nearest pub is on the corner of the ground called the The Clayton Arms. It serves Lees beers and food but as it is only small it does get crowded as kick off approaches. For other pubs you want to look on Rochdale Road by turning left by the newsagents at the top of Sheepfoot Lane. 100 yards down here you will find the Old Grey Mare and further down on the right is The White Hart. If you turn right at the end of the road you will find the Queens. If you are heading from Mills Hills station then you pass the Rose of Lancaster and the Chadderton Park Inn.
Places to Eat: Food is good inside the ground and you must try one of the Pukka Pies at £1.50 a throw. Nearby the new retail park includes a KFC, McDonalds, Burger King and Pizza Hut.
Cash Machines: The nearest cash machine is a Nat West at the Royal Oldham Hospital on Rochdale Road and is under half a mile away.
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TICKET AND GROUND INFO
General: On every occasion I have visited Oldham in the past it has been freezing due to the swirling wind as the ground is situated on top of an hill. With the match in August there should not be the same porblem this year but that does depend on the forecast. Wrap up warm as the ground is at the top of an hill and the swirling wind does get around the wind shields on the away stand. The stand offers a decent view of the pitch and the facilities are also good. The stand is sometimes shared with home supporters.
Ticket Office: 0870 753 2000
Seats: Rochdale Road End - Adults £18.00, OAPs/Under 16s £9.00
Standing: None - all seated.
Disabled Facilities: 23 dedicated parking spaces at the large car park at the ground and it is level access to the stadium from here. There are 12 spaces in the away end at the back of the Rochdale Road Stand with helpers sitting alongside. There are 2 adapted toilets in the stand although the catering facilities are not dedicated but steward assistance is available. There are 3 visual spaces for away fans in the main stand with commentary providing by local hospital radio. Entrance is £18 for the disabled but the helper is admitted for free. The DSA contact is Judith Lane and she can be contacted on 0161 624 4972 or judithlane@oldhamathletic.co.uk.
Programme and Fanzines: Official programme costs £2.00
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PRE MATCH ANALYSIS
CURRENT FORM - THE LAST FIVE GAMES

Oldham Athletic

 Wrexham
Opposition Competition Score Opposition Competition Score
Luton Town (a) League 1 1-2 Swindon (h) League 1 2-1
Overall Overall
W D L F A GD W D L F A GD
0 0 1 1 2 -1 1 0 0 2 1 +1
THE SEASON SO FAR - LEAGUE RECORD
Oldham Athletic Wrexham
Pld W D L F A GD Pts Pos Pld W D L F A GD Pts Pos
1 0 0 1 2 1 -1 0 18 1 1 0 0 2 1 +1 3 8
THE DANGER MEN - TOP GOAL SCORERS
Oldham Athletic Wrexham
Player League Cup Total Player League Cup Total
Will Haining 1 0 1 Chris Armstrong 1 0 1
        Dennis Lawrence 1 0 1

THE HARD MEN - WORST DISCIPLINE
Oldham Athletic Wrexham
Player Yellow Card Red Card Player Yellow Card Red Card
      Darren Ferguson 1 0
      Andrew Holt 1 0

HEAD TO HEAD
Competition Oldham Draw Wrexham Total
League 22 20 22 64
FA Cup 1 0 2 3
League Cup 0 0 0 0
Other 0 0 0 0
Overall 23 20 24 66
Overall as a % 35% 29% 36% 100%

RECENT MEETINGS
Home Team Score Away Team Date Competition Link
Oldham Athletic 1-1 Wrexham 20-Apr-04 Division 2 Review
Wrexham 4-0 Oldham Athletic 21-Oct-03 Division 2 Review
Oldham Athletic 3-1 Wrexham 19-Jan-02 Division 2 Review
Wrexham 3-3 Oldham Athletic 11-Aug-01 Division 2 Review
Oldham Athletic 5-1 Wrexham 10-Feb-01 Division 2 Review
Wrexham 3-1 Oldham Athletic 09-Sep-00 Division 2 Review
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MATCH PREVIEW

THE OPPOSITION
Brian TalbotLatics manager Brian Talbot made the correct decision last season by jumping the sinking ship of Rushden & Diamonds to skipper Oldham in the post Ian Dowie era. Since taking up the hot seat in March 2004 Talbot has not had the best of starts with only four wins in the 13 games he has been in charge of but he did ensure Oldham remained in Division two come the end of last season.

Oldham were rather quiet in the transfer market during the summer with only two new players added to the squad. Centre back Mark Arber joined on a free transfer from fellow League 1 team Peterborough and Talbot returned to his former club to sign prolific striker Rodney jack from Rushden and Diamonds on a free transfer. Both players have featured in all pre season games and are likely to be an integral part of the side.

Oldham started the season with a 2-1 defeat at Luton on the weekend despite William Haining opening the scoring for the Latics in the tenth minute but they could not build on the lead with Luton scoring in either half to secure all three points. Manager Brian Talbot was also unimpressed and especially during the 25 minutes following the restart. He explained to  the Oldham Official Web Site: "We were inviting trouble- the ball kept coming at us and we didn't clear our lines; we didn't win enough 2nd balls and eventually something had to give and they scored."
 
THE MATCH

Wrexham Team News: Following the 2-1 win over Swindon Denis Smith is unlikely to make dramatic changes to the team although Chris Armstrong may be pushing Hector Sam for his place in the starting line up after the former Spurs' striker scored what proved to be the winner after replacing Sam. Elsewhere Andy Dibble will continue in goal with a familiar back three of Steve Roberts, Brian Carey and Dennis Lawrence. Jim Whitley will be on the right with Andrew Holt on the left wing with a midfield three comprising of Danny Williams, Alex Smith and Darren Ferguson acting as the support man. Up front Chris Llewellyn will be partnered by either Hector Sam or Chris Armstrong. Wrexham's only injury concern is Craig Morgan with a stomach bug with Matt Crowell and Carlos Edwards already ruled out.

Wrexham Squad (17): Dibble, Whitley, Roberts, Carey, Lawrence, Holt, Smith, Ferguson, Williams, Sam, Armstrong, Pejic, Baker, Bennett, Spender, Llewellyn, Jones.

Oldham Team News: Like Wrexham, Oldham have no injury worries from the opening day of the season and may include striker Clive Wijnhard who rejoined the club today (Tuesday) on trial providing they receive international clearance from the Dutch FA. Midfielder Matthew Appleby could return to the starting line up for the first time since march as he has now recovered from a hip and thigh injury.

Oldham Squad (18): Pogliacomi, Holden, Griffin, Haining, Arber, Bonner, Jack, Eyre, Vernon, Johnson, Eyres, Treacy, Appleby, Boshell, Cooksey, Beharall, Tierney, Barlow.

Officials: The match referee is Phil Prosser of West Yorkshire and he is assisted by David Storrie and Mark Hayward who are also from West Yorkshire. Last season Phil Prosser refereed 34 games and issued 123 yellow cards at an average of 3.62 per game and sent off 16 players. He officiated the match between hull and Bournemouth on the opening day of the season booking three players and sending Bournemouth's Neil Young off. he also awarded two penalties to the home side Hull, one of these a very controversial decision when he adjudge the defender deliberately handled the ball even though it was fired at him from close range. We have been warned!

Weather: During the day temperatures are expected to reach 26 degrees Celsius and with the sunny conditions temperatures are not expected to drop below 16 degrees Celsius at night. There will be a 3 mph north westerly wind and a relative humidity of 52%.
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