MATCH REPORT: Oldham Athletic 0-0 Forest Green Rovers

Oldham were forced to return focus to the league following the cup upset at Craven Cottage last weekend, as they hosted high-flying Forest Green Rovers at Boundary Park.

Forest Green started the game in a lively fashion and almost immediately took the lead. Mills played an excellent ball to Williams who hit a looped shot onto the bar, before Campbell came onto the follow up, only to have his attempt cleared off the line by Edmundson. Rovers kept up the pressure as Oldham sat back, soaking the pressure. Perhaps the home side were keen to preserve energy with only 6 substitutes named, 2 of which were youth players.

Another prime opportunity went begging in the 16th minute, as George Williams was teed up by Campbell. As the Oldham defence parted like the Red Sea, it seemed easier for Williams to score – he sent it straight into the arms of Iversen. Three minutes later the whole stadium was left bewildered that the visitors hadn’t scored. Brown was released down the right side of goal and curled the ball past Iversen coolly only for it to bounce off the left post, then the right post and scrambled away.

At the other end, Nepomuceno almost gave the Latics and entirely undeserved lead when the tricky winger beat Shephard before he hit a cross that looked destined for the top left corner of the goal. McGinley made a smart save that ensured Callum Lang couldn’t get onto the rebound.

Forest Green maintained the pressure throughout the first half, creating several chances. The final 15 minutes of the half, however, saw Oldham press forward a bit more as the home fans got behind their team – chances fell for Maouche and O’Grady but they just couldn’t find the net. The sides walked in level at half time.

Oldham brought on Rob Hunt on for Chris O’Grady at half time, moving Nepomuceno into midfield and Callum Lang as the centre forward. This provided more energy to the Latics attack. In the 50th minute, Branger forced a smart save from Montgomery when he hit a fierce shot from the edge of the penalty area.

The game was certainly more balanced in the second half, with neither side truly in control and it looked as though the game would fizzle out for a draw. Clear chances were at somewhat of a premium – neither side looked too much like they were about to take the lead. Oldham almost got a late winner in the 86th minute, when Nepomuceno hit a good shot from the edge of the area, but Montgomery saved well. Baxter really should have sealed a win for the home side but managed to sky his close-range effort in the 91st minute.

The match finished goalless and the home fans went home content with a good point, meanwhile the visitors must be wondering how they managed to avoid scoring. An unlucky day for the Green Devils. Pete Wild remains unbeaten as Oldham’s interim manager.

FULL TIME: Oldham Athletic 0-0 Forest Green Rovers

Attendance: 4194 (160 Away)

Oldham Athletic: Iversen, Hamer, Clarke ©, Edmundson, Nepomuceno, Lang, Sylla, Missilou, Branger-Engone (Baxter 71’), Maouche, O’Grady (Hunt 45’)

Forest Green Rovers: Montgomery, Sheppard, James ©, Rawson, Winchester, Brown, Williams (McCoulsky 61’), Campbell (Doidge 61’), Gunning, McGinley, Mills

words Chris Stringer, Oldham Athletic correspondent