• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Manchester Football

A website about football in Manchester

You are here: Home / Match Report / Substitute Jonathan Forte’s late leveller earns Oldham Athletic a point at Walsall

Substitute Jonathan Forte’s late leveller earns Oldham Athletic a point at Walsall

August 8, 2015 by Tony Bugby

WALSALL 1, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 1

Substitute Jonathan Forte’s late equaliser was fully merited as Oldham Athletic drew at Walsall in their opening match of the season in Sky Bet League One.

It would have been unjust had Latics, behind for 75 minutes to an early goal from Romaine Sawyers, come away from the Banks’s Stadium empty handed following a dominant second-half display.

And it was a satisfying result for new manager Darren Kelly in his first match in charge.

It was very much the expected starting line up with new loanee Jonathan Burn making his debut in the centre of defence while, surprisingly, teenage striker Rhys Turner was preferred to Forte, last season’s top scorer.

There was a sombre start to proceedings, one minute’s silence in memory of the three Saddlers’ fans who were victims of the recent Tunisian massacre.

And it was not the start Latics wanted when Sawyers shot Walsall ahead after only eight minutes with a well-struck effort from inside the penalty area.

Latics responded positively as Liam Kelly’s volley from 25 yards whistled past the upright while they also had a strong claim for a penalty when Joseph Mills was bundled over in the box.

But Walsall would have ended the half with a two-goal lead had Latics’ keeper Joel Coleman not saved well to deny former Oldham loanee Sam Mantom.

Latics started the second period brightly as Kelly went close again with a chip from 40 yards while Mike Jones forced a decent save from keeper Neil Etheridge who had a brief spell with Oldham last season.

Etheridge also had to push away a 30-yard drive from Mills as Latics pressed for an equaliser.

Kelly threw on Forte and new signing David Dunn mid-half and Danny Philliskirk not long after as they looked for new ways of puncturing the Walsall defence.

All three made an impact on the game with Dunn displaying the silky skills he once performed in the Premier League.

Latics were finally rewarded when Forte equalised with seven minutes left when he ran on to a right-wing cross from Jake Cassidy and Etheridge was finally beaten. It was no more than they deserved for their efforts.

Indeed, Latics might have even pinched victory when Cassidy headed over from 10 yards. Had that gone in, it would have been the perfect finish for the 991 visiting fans.

Filed Under: Match Report, Oldham Athletic Tagged With: Jonathan Forte, Walsall

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Primary Sidebar

Categories

  • Altrincham
  • Ashton United
  • Curzon Ashton
  • Europe
  • FA Cup
  • Hyde United
  • International
  • League Cup
  • Manchester City
  • Manchester City Women
  • Manchester United
  • Manchester United Women
  • Match Report
  • Melbourne City FC
  • Mossley
  • New York City FC
  • Non League
  • North West
  • Oldham Athletic
  • Premier League
  • Salford City
  • Stockport County
  • Stretford Paddock
  • UEFA Champions League
  • Uncategorized

Manchester Football

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

RSS Manchesterfootball Youtube

  • "All the clubs around us made huge investments, we didn't..." - Erik Ten Hag
    manchesterfootball
  • "Same old story Man Utd" - Marco Silva Press Conference following Man Utd 2, Fulham 1 - HD 1080p
    manchesterfootball
  • Old Trafford reacts to Bruno Fernandes winning goal at Old Trafford against Fulham HD 1080p
    manchesterfootball

RSS BBC Football News

  • Premier League 2022-23: Who were on an upward curve and who were sleepwalking? May 29, 2023
    BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty assesses each Premier League club's season - and looks back at his predictions.
  • Premier League predictions: How accurate were BBC Sport pundits? May 29, 2023
    Twenty-three BBC pundits predicted who would win the 2022-23 Premier League title and finish in the top four. How did they get on?
  • Mauricio Pochettino: Chelsea appoint ex-Tottenham boss as new manager May 29, 2023
    Chelsea appoint former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino as their new manager on a two-year deal.
  • Mauricio Pochettino: Chelsea appointment could be defining moment of new era May 29, 2023
    Mauricio Pochettino's appointment could be the defining moment of Chelsea's new era - but the owners cannot afford for it to fail.

Search Manchester Football

Copyright © 2023 · Metro Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in