Oldham 0 Town 1

Jan 28 2008 by Dougie Thomson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Beckett strikes again as gritty show rewarded

FA CUP talisman Luke Beckett struck again to fire Town into today’s fifth-round draw.

But it needed a gritty all-round effort to repel Oldham and book a last-16 berth for the first time since 1999 and only the fourth occasion in 40 years.

New signing Robert Page was at the heart of it, attacking every ball fired towards the Town penalty box with gusto, organising the back four and encouraging the team to stay focused for the full 97-and-a-half minutes of action, which wasn’t particularly pretty but always compelling.

The experienced former Welsh international brought out the best in fellow centre-back Nathan Clarke, and there were equally committed displays by midfielders Jon Worthington and Andy Holdsworth.

Goalkeeper Matt Glennon, meanwhile, pulled off a couple of top-class saves to frustrate the home team and keep the 4,581 Town fans in a 12,749 crowd singing.

Beckett was a generous 7/1 with the local bookies to open the scoring, and it took him just eight-and-a-half minutes to oblige.

Oldham, playing with the strong wind behind their backs in the first half, had just had a let-off when Phil Jevons’ back-heel (a carbon-copy of his cheeky attempt at Brighton the week before) was blocked.

The ball was scrambled clear but at the expense of a throw-in, which Clarke hurled into the box for Beckett to glance a header past Mark Crossley.

The 38-year-old might have saved a penalty for Nottingham Forest against Spurs in the 1991 final at Wembley.

But he couldn’t deny Beckett, who has scored in every round of a cup run which has really caught the fans’ imagination.

The goal rewarded a bright start by former Latics hero Andy Ritchie’s men.

But Oldham, bossed by his good mate John Sheridan, were in no mood to roll over.

They had the bulk of the remainder of the half – and a string of chances.

Stand-in striker Deane Smalley had a close-range shot held by Glennon after 16 minutes, JP Kalala was just wide from distance after 21 and Neal Trotman headed narrowly over from Neal Eardley’s touchline free-kick after 28.

Glennon pulled off a fine one-handed save from Smalley’s 29th-minute header, Dutchman Stefan Stam drove the ball only inches too high soon after, and the tricky Chris Taylor had a cross-cum-shot touched onto the roof of the net by Town’s stopper in the 38th minute.

Town must have been relieved to reach the break without being breached, but there was more defending to do after it.

Glennon pulled off another good save from Trotman’s 55th-minute header, although Oldham were penalised for a foul in any case, while Craig Davies drilled a low shot wide after cutting in from the left.

Town’s first second-half move of significance came on 61 minutes when Beckett, Holdsworth and Michael Collins combined to set up Jevons.

The striker was well placed, but elected to pass to Beckett rather than shoot and the chance was gone.

Danny Schofield’s low cross six minutes later just evaded the stretching Beckett, while Town had a 69th-minute penalty appeal for handball turned down.

At the other end, Clarke and Frank Sinclair both made crucial blocks as Town stood firm.

Ref watch

Tyne and Wear whistler Graham Laws missed a nasty tackle by Chris Taylor on Andy Holdsworth in the first half, then turned down concerted Town appeals for a penalty for handball in the second, but had a decent match otherwise.

Taylor was booked for a lesser offence on Collins while Neal Trotman was also cautioned. Rob Page might have been but got away with a talking to.

Player ratings

Matt Glennon

Provided a safe pair of hands, with his 29th-minute save from Deane Smalley’s header a first-class effort.

8/10.

Frank SInclair

The former FA Cup winner used his guile to limit Chris Taylor’s contribution and made some telling blocks.

7/10.

Robbie Williams

Worked hard towards the clean sheet and made some sensible pressure-easing clearances late on.

7/10.

Andy Holdsworth

Seemed to be fouled every other tackle, but remained unruffled and impressed throughout.

8/10.

Nathan Clarke

Had a fine game and looked immediately comfortable playing alongside new signing Rob Page.

8/10.

Rob Page

An impressive debut. Quickly stamped his authority on the game and the team seemed to respond to his calls.

8/10.

Michael Collins

Deployed on the right side of midfield and did his bit both in defence and attack to help Town through.

7/10.

Jon Worthington

The strong-tackling skipper bossed the midfield battle and looked in no mood to let this one slip away.

8/10.

Luke Beckett

Took his goal really well and caused his former club lots of problems. Unaffected by the home fans’ jeers.

7/10.

Phil Jevons

Another industrious display by a clever player who brings a deft touch and ingenuity to Town’s frontline.

7/10.

Danny Schofield

Started sluggishly but used the ball well in the second half, providing some neat passes and crosses.

7/10.

Town substitutions

Malvin Kamara for Jevons 83mins; David Mirfin for Beckett, 90mins. Subs not used: Danny Racchi, James Berrett, Alex Smithies.

Oldham Athletic

Crossley, Eardley, Trotman, Stam, Hazell, Allott, Kalala (Wolfenden, 76mins), McDonald, Taylor, Smalley, Davies. Subs not used: Pogliacomi, Black, Lomax, Alessandra.

Booked: Taylor, Trotman.