After Dundee's League Cup exit l decided to go down and see Oldham Athletic play Swindon Town. It was a 12:30 kick-off so we had to leave home on the Airport bus to Edinburgh at 03:30 in the morning. We arrived on time and got another bus in to the centre to catch the 06:13 train to Manchester Piccadilly.
It was a quick journey down and my good friend Malc and Sue got on at Lancaster as they live in Morecambe now.
We got the 182 bus to Oldham and the bus stops 5 minutes from Boundary Park, we had a couple of refreshments in the bar under the Joe Royle stand.
Oldham Athletic 1, Swindon Town 2, League Two, Boundary Park, 16-August-25
On 34 minutes Latics responded to the second goal well and began to create chances. From Ryan Woods’ freekick from the right side, Joe Quigley rose but couldn’t keep his header down.
Then ten minutes before the break, Latics pulled one back. Tom Conlon’s freekick was met by Joe Quigley, whose header was too much for a stretching Connor Ripley.
The goal rallied Latics, with the hosts pressing for a leveller. Moments later, Conlon’s ball over the top set Jame Robson through and the wing-back was shoved to the floor, but referee Greg Rollason waved play on.
Mike Fondop then came close, connecting with a header, but the former Latics ‘keeper Ripley got down to hold.
With five minutes before the break, Princewill Ehibhatiomhan threatened for the Robins, flicking the ball over Donervon Daniels and finding space, but his effort was straight into the arms of Hudson.
Second half and latics were much better and had a few attacks which was better to watch. The introduction of Kieron Morris on the hour-mark saw Mellon’s side switch back to a back four, as Latics went about equalising.
Last week’s goalscorer Josh Hawkes came on to try and make an impact as the hosts tried to force a leveller. The Oldham number 21 whipped a cross into the area on the 72nd minute mark, which Ripley couldn’t keep hold of. However, nobody in Latics blue was there to pounce.
With five minutes to go, Swindon had the chance to put the game to bed. Billy Bodin went down the right and put a cross into the area with Smith sliding in to connect with. From yards out, the Swindon frontman’s shot blazed over the bar.
Latics thought they had the equaliser with one minute remaining. Ripley struggled to get something on Wood’s cross form the left and the ball dropped to Quigley inside the box. His effort was blocked on the line by a defender, with the referee waving away protests for a penalty.
But time ran out and likely Swindon were just the better side, they played ok in the second half. But will need to get that first win the league to really start the season.
Oldham Athletic: Hudson; Sutton (Morris 61’), Daniels, Monthe; Ogle, Conlon ©, Woods, Robson; Hannant (Hawkes 69’); Fondop (Harratt 84’), Quigley. Unused Subs: Donaghy (GK), Drummond, Olson, Hammond.
Referee: Greg Rollason
Attendance: 6,955
After the game we went back to Bar 1895 before our bus back to Piccadilly for our train to Lancaster. Things went quick and were back to Morecambe at 18:30 for a meal and a few drinks. Walked about done the Eric Morcambe statue.
After this Andrew and myself headed back to Malc's house on where we were staying the night. We got relaxed and had a few beers as we shared memories on when we first met in 1987 when Dundee and Oldham played in the Isle of Man Football Tourament.
Next day we went to Lancaster where we had a walk about and had a beer in the Merchants 1688 which has a long history. Then after this we had a look at Lancaster Castle and Malc told us about the Pendle Witches which go back to 1612 when the trial happened.
After being found guilty they would go on a waggon where they were taken down to The Golden Lion for their last drink before being hung in the gallows.
Another famous local legend is that of the teetotal man who, after being condemned to death for his crimes, had refused his final drink at the Golden Lion. The story goes that had he stopped and taken his right to a last drink, he would have been in the Golden Lion when his pardon arrived by courier. As it was he had already been hanged by the time his pardon arrived…………Who says drinking is bad for you?
After that we had a quick pint and sat outside waiting on our train home. It was a fine way to end our trip, and thanks to Malc and Sue for looking after us so well.
