Oldham Boro

Ground 19

Match 20

FA Vase

Ground Whitebank stadium

Capacity 1,000

Oldham Boro 3-2 Wigan Robin Park

Distance Travelled 38 miles

Admission £5

Programme £2

Attendance  55

Arrived at 7.05 pm  parking on the small club car park opposite the turnstile entrance , met and chatted to the club secretary from WRP , a freindly chap . On entering the ground i purchased two programmes leaving one available . Only ten programmes were printed and sold out easily although poor quality laser copies . At least it was something but the price was steep at £1.50 . I purchased the obligatory raffle ticket that is part and parcel of the game now, especially at this level . The ground had three small seated stands , one on either side and one behind the goal , an array of portable cabins and a snacks hut . It needs an overhaul and is more like a building site in parts , finances are obviously tight . I had to use the chemical toilet , needs must i'm afraid . There is a TV tower near the half way line , subbuteo style , inbetween the dugouts . .
One side of the gound was illuminated sparsley by floodlights and in the seated stand was the Boro manager Mr Mills . He introduced himself and was very relaxed taking an interest , passing on his opinions regarding tonights tie . I mentioned both teams had started well in the league and he said it would have been more appetising for both clubs to face opposition from a higher level . We both anticipated an exciting game tonight .

Seated Stand

The rest of the floodlights illuminated the night sky as the teams emerged from the canopy entrance in the familiar Champions League style , side by side . I sensed the ground didn't seem quite lit up enough and i could hear WRP players complainig about not being seeing the ball properly and losing it in the dark night air . The referee shrugged his shoulders as if to point out , its the same for both teams . WRP seemed uneasy with this predicament but scored first , McNally netting after 11 minutes , pouncing on a rebound off the upright while Boro were appealing for offside . Boro were unlucky to go behind , passing the ball  briskly unaffected by going a goal down . After 18 minutes Andy Smith equalised with a blistering free kick from outside the penalty box . On 31 minutes Shannon made it 2-1 with a cross come-shot  looping over the keeper who lost flight of the ball . Boro were sharper , winning the second ball and in the 43rd minute Smith netted to make it 3-1 to Boro and grab a brace for himself . Half-time 3-1 to Boro and a fair reflection of the play .
WRP stepped up a gear in the second half and kept pushing forward at every opportunity . Eventually the pressure produced dividends when Mcnally looped a header into the corner grabbing his and WRP's second reducing the deficit to 3-2 . WRP pushed for the equaliser but were leaving gaping gaps at the back which Boro failed to capitalise on . The referee seemed to be adding plenty of injury time and the last few minutes were nail biting for both sets of supporters . Boro managed to hang on and formed a circle at the final whistle for a well deserved team hug.

Final Score Oldham Boro 3-2 Wigan Robin Park . Great game

More Photos

Oldham boro 23rd september photos 2011