Smash And Grab (literally) as Oldham Beat Drop

Coaches left the Broadfield at 7.30 for Crawley Town final away game of what has been consolidating, yet enjoyable debut season in League One. Heading up the M1, and the picturesque M62, the coach was abuzz with that end of the season feeling. A win for the Reds would maintain a late play off surge, while a win for the Latics would prolong their stay in League One for another season.

After arriving at three sided Boundary Park I headed over to McDonalds. There was a distinct lack of home fans in the area despite it being 1.45pm. Walking back to stadium I picked up a rather flimsy match day programme and headed into the away end. Upon entering you are struck by the openness of the ground. The away fans were situated in the newer, Rochdale Road End. This was shared with the more vocal of Latics' supporters. Opposite was the 'Chaddy End', the full home end with a rather strange half painted roof. On one side is the old main stand where the benches are located. Opposite is the unused, derelict space.

View of the 'Chaddy End'

So.....onto the game. Oldham knew just a point would keep them in League One for another season and they came out all guns blazing, yet Crawley's defence held firm to reduce the Manchester outfit to minimal chances. A rather lacklustre first half saw very few attempts on goal, Matt Smiths looping header the only notable chance. Oldham stopper Dean Bouzanis blocked Billy Clarke's close range, near post effort. 

Unused side

During the second half there was still little separating the two sides, until 56 minutes when a moment of brilliance from Matt Smith gave Athletic the lead. Lee Crofts pin point pass allowed Smith to weave his way through the heart of the Crawley back line and narrowly beat Reds' 'keeper Paul Jones, who got a hand to the shot. Latics' fans erupted and cheers of 'We are staying up' bellowed around Boundary Park. With Oldham one up, and staying up, the atmosphere vastly improved. The game, however, was still tight and chances remained few and far between. Robbie Simpson almost doubled the lead before, in the 76th minute, Boundary Park was silenced by Mark Connolly's close range header into an open goal after a neat bit of trickery down the wing from Nicky Adams. The 156 loyal Crawley fans who made the journey were joyous and were quick to sing towards the rowdy opposition fans across the separation. Oldham stepped up and began to put pressure on the Crawley defence. Josh Simpson's late foul just outside the area on Jose Baxter gave Oldham one final shot at victory. Baxter's curling effort found the head of Jean Yves M'voto who bundled the ball in past a helpless Paul Jones. Boundary Park erupted once again, and unsavoury scenes developed as the goal sparked a pitch invasion by the home fans before the final whistle had even sounded. Oldham has grabbed victory two minutes into added time. 

Unfortunately, a fantastic occasion for the Latics was marred by a minority of supporters who attacked the Crawley Town Supporters' Coach. Two windows were shattered as 'missiles' were thrown towards the coach. Thankfully no one injured, but it left the fans to travel home on a horrific journey that saw them arrive back at base at 12.15am on Sunday. Despite the setback, Boundary Park is a classic football ground and one I will be returning to next season. The majority of Oldham fans were very welcoming and a great bunch. It is a shame that a few let them down.