Race for Second is On

Latics came from behind for the first time this season to win thanks to a Luke Beckett hatrick.

The game started brightly with both teams going close, but it was Blackpool who went ahead just before half time when Keith Southern pounced on a deflection to blast the ball into the ack of the net. However Oldhams reply was swift, as Blackpool failed to deal with a dangerous ball from Chris Taylor and Luke Beckett was there to pounce.

Ten minutes into the second half Beckett made it 2-1 as he scored from close range after Paul Warne crossed low. Blackpool went for an equaliser and came close but were denied once by the crossbar and by a superb save from Lee Grant.

Beckett put the game beyond doubt in the final minutes and completed his hatrick when he sent the keeper the wrong way from the spot after a handball in the area.

Player Ratings

Lee Grant
Good game from Grant. Could do nothing about the goal, but produced a fine stop late on.

Terrel Forbes
Got up very well for headers but still looks very uncomfortable on the ball. Steady game nevertheless.

Guy Branston
Todays makeshift captain did very well, won plenty of headers, never stopped shouting, solid as a rock.

Will Haining
Not his best game this season but most definately not a bad game (was a bonus that he played full stop). Had a few lapses in the air but looked fairly solid.

Chris Taylor
If it wasnt for Beckett scoring a hatrick this lad would have got man of the match. Blackpool could not handle him full stop.

Mark Hughes
Not Hughseys best game, got caught in posession a few times losing the ball as a result but gave his usual 110 percent.

Richard Butcher
A quiet game from Butcher, did cover alot of ground and did alot of running but I still wish he’d have a few more shots on goal and run at players a bit more.

Ritchie Wellens
Rose to the occasion against his former club, pulled the strings in midfield and found a man with every pass. Was substituted for Danny Hall who did well, and who I would like to see play in midfield more often.

Paul Edwards
Again did well, ran at players alot and more often than not beat his man, but the final ball was lacking today.

Paul Warne
Good game today from Warney, set up one goal and worked well with Beckett, providing him with lots of flick ons, and chased every lost cause.

Luke Beckett
Beckett is back in business. Scored three, could have had more. Always in the right place at the right time.

Manager Rating
Ronnie Moore got it spot on today was nice to see a good mix of players on the bench too which we have been recently lacking.

Opponent Rating
I must say blackpool are looking a much better team than they were under Colin Hendry. Played some nice football and passed it about well. If they play to their potential they should have no problem at all avoiding the drop.

Opponent Man of the Match
Keigan Parker has to be the fastest player ive seen in this division along with Nathan Tyson. Was always a threat against our big three central defenders. John Murphy did well whilst he was on, won everything in the air.

Summary
Results went latics way again with Swansea and Brentford losing and Huddersfield, Barnsley and Colchester all drawing their games. After today Oldham are only three points behind second placed Huddersfield, so automatic promotion is most definately on. COME ON OLDHAM!!!