Manchester Football

A website about football in Manchester

You are here: Home / Archives for Tony Bugby

Tony Bugby

Seeing double as Oldham Athletic win at Crewe Alexandra

by

CREWE ALEXANDRA 0, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 2

Oldham Athletic proved lightning can strike twice in their Sky Bet League two victory at Crewe Alexandra.

It was the same scoreline and the same scorers – captain Peter Clarke and Chris O’Grady – in the same sequence from the Emirates FA Cup, second-round victory at Maidstone United.

And manager Frankie Bunn fielded exactly the same starting line-up as Latics extended their unbeaten run to seven league and cup games and moved within five points of the play-off places.

It is this continuity which is proving important as Bunn continues to make minimal changes, though his squad is still ravaged through injury.

Crewe had the first scoring chance when Latics gave the ball away in midfield as Callum Ainley forced a good save from goalkeeper Daniel Iversen with his feet.

Latics’ first effort came through Mohamed Maouche as he tested Ben Garratt in the Crewe goal with a free kick.

It was a wet and windy afternoon in Cheshire with the game really struggling to get into any flow until Clarke stepped up to give Oldham the lead.

Clarke picked up the ball on the halfway line as he drove it forward and unleashed an effort from more than 30 yards out into the top corner.

It’s probably no exaggeration that it’s more than likely the best goal he’s scored in his career and certainly not what you expect from a central defender.

However, Latics almost squandered that lead as Shaun Miller ran in behind the defence, but once again Iversen saved well.

Crewe were starting to get a foothold in the game as they workeda move down the left before Charlie Kirk forced another great stop from Iversen.

Bunn’s side doubled its lead in the 40th minute whenO’Grady picked the ball up on the edge of the box and he hit a curling left-footed effort on the turn into the bottom corner.

Gevaro Nepomuceno then bent an effort over the bar as Latics went into half time in total control.

Latics began the second half as they ended the first as Christopher Missilou attacked a corner, but once again Garratt saved.

Sam Surridge headed over from another corner before he was denied by Garratt with an effort from the right-hand side of the penalty area.

Crewe made a triple substitution and it was one of those substitutes, Owen Dale who forced another brilliant stop from Iversen as the ball broke to him in Latics’ box.

Latics were comfortably defending the lead and they could have had a third when Johan Branger-Engone played Surridge in, but once again Garratt denied the striker.

Oldham Athletic (4-4-2): Iversen, Dummigan,Clarke, Edmundson, Hunt; Lang, Maouche, Missilou (Lyden 90), Nepomuceno (Branger-Engone 90); Surridge, O’Grady. Subs (not used): Coke, Graham, Hamer, Norman, McFarlane.

Attendance 4,168 (1,027 visitors).

Manchester United’s green shoots of recovery with big win against Fulham

by

MAN UNITED 4, FULHAM 1

Manchester United posted their biggest Premier League victory for 13 months against newly-promoted Fulham, further evidence of recent green shoots of recovery.

After the spirited showing in the 2-2 draw in midweek against Arsenal, also at Old Trafford, United were far too strong for the bottom-of-the-table Cottagers.

There has been an energy in the last two games that was conspicuous by its absence earlier in the campaign.

Goals from Ashley Young, Juan Mata, Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford earned the points that lifted the Reds from eighth to sixth place.

It was the first time United had scored four goals in a game since the FA cup tie against Yeovil last season.

Indeed, United carved out 20 goal attempts with 11 on target, evidence that they have found the cutting edge that eluded them in earlier games.

Reds’ manager Jose Mourinho was pleased with his side’s showing, saying:  “The first half was good at every level.

“It was a good result and there were good individual performances and for Rashford and Lukaku, who have had no goals for some time, it was good for them.”

Mourinho praised new Fulham manager Cluadio Ranieri for changing the game at half time to nullify them.

He added fatigue also told, especially with hard working midfield pair Nemanja Matic and Ander Herrera.

“It was only natural the intensity was down as you cannot run like they did for two games coming so quickly together,” he said.

United made four changes from the side that drew 2-2 against Arsenal in a hugely entertaining game to make it a remarkable 50 for the season in Premier League games.

Eric Bailly and Anthony Martial were enforced through injury while Marcos Rojo was on the bench and Matteo Darmian not included in the matchday 18.

There were call ups for Phil Jones and Young at the back, Juan Mata in the middle and Romelu Lukaku up front.

There was still no place in the starting line up for Paul Pogba who was again on the bench.

Luke Shaw was injured in the pre-match warm up so his place on the bench went to Andrea Pereira.

After an uneventful opening, United took a 13th minute lead with their first chance of the game.

Overlapping left-back Young cut in from the left past Denis Odoi and fired high into the far top corner of the net, a fabulous individual goal, his first of the season and first at Old Trafford since May 2016.

United doubled their advantage in the 28th minute through Mata’s fourth goal of the season.

Lukaku and Rashford linked on the left and the latter squared a pass to Mata as the Spaniard swept home a shot from 18 yards low to the left of keeper Sergio Rico.

The lively Rashford could have made it 3-0 when his 35-yard piledriver free kick was well kept out by Rico.

A third goal soon arrived following another fabulous move.

Jesse Lingard split open the Fulham defence with a sumptuous pass to release Mata on the left and his low cross was easily converted by Lukaku, his sixth of the season. It was Mata’s 50th assist in the Premier League.

And Lukaku had a chance to add a fourth goal shortly before the break, but Rico save well low to his left.

United began the second half on the front foot as Rashford and Lukaku twice went close to increasing the lead further.

Mourinho made their first change just short of the hour when Chris Smalling made way for Rojo.

United ought to have had a fourth goal after a poor clearance from Rica to Lukaku who released Mata who in turn set up Herrera who shot narrowly wide.

Fulham got on to the scoresheet midway through the second period after Herrera conceded a penalty for a trip on half-time substitute Aboubakar Kamara who slotted home the spot kick.

If Fulham thought a comeback was on the cards, it was quickly cut short as they were reduced to 10 men one minute later when Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa was sent off for a foul on Rashford, his second yellow card.

United made a second change with 17 minutes left when Jesse Lingard was replaced by Fred.

The Reds almost restored a three-goal lead when Rashford forced a diving save from Rico who moments later denied Lukaku.

But it was soon 4-1 as Rashford scored a superb solo effort,cutting in from the left before shooting low inside Rico’s near post, only his third goal of the season.

It was Rashford’s last action as he was immediately replaced by Scott McTominay as the game petered out in the latter stages.

Manchester United rediscover ‘happiness’ after twice battling from behind to hold in-form Arsenal

by

MAN UNITED 2, ARSENAL 2

Manchester United produced the desire that Jose Mourinho had questioned as they twice came from behind to gain a spirited point against Arsenal at Old Trafford.

A much-improved performance, though, failed to produce victory as the Reds remained eighth in the table and eight points adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea as they are now without a win in four Premier League games.

But it was a display that lifted spirits as United extended their unbeaten record to 12 home Premier League games since 2006 against the Gunners who stretched their unbeaten run to 20 games in all competitions.

In what was an enthralling and error-strewn game, United could conceivably have scored all four goals as Arsenal’s strikes could well go down as David De Gea and Marcos Rojo own goals.

Embed from Getty Images

United’s manager could not fault his side’s display, explaining: “I am frustrated by the result, frustrated by our mistakes and more quality was needed, but I am happy with the spirit.

“We scored all four goals in a 2-2 draw, but shot ourselves through missed chances and defensive mistakes, but it was a fantastic performance, but we are punished every time we make a mistake.

“I am not happy with the result, but we needed happiness on the pitch.

“We played a team at the top of their moment and everything is going well for them.

“They are a team on a high against a team with so many problems and which shoots ourselves.”

Mourinho was delighted with his patched-up defence explaining he had “a lot of people in very difficult circumstances”.

He was referring to Eric Bailly and Rojo whose campaigns have been blighted by injury while Diogo Dalot and Matteo Darmian have seen little action.

And he believed in summer signing Dalot he has a player who can be United’s right back for the next 10 years.

Paul Pogba, Romelu Lukaku, Marouane Fellaini and Juan Mata, nearly £250mm of signings, found themselves on the bench as Mourinho made seven changes from the side that started at Southampton on Saturday.

David De Gea, Nemanja Matic, Ander Herrera and Marcus Rashford were the only survivors.

There was a completely new back five of Eric Bailly, Chris Smalling, Marcos Rojo, Diogo Dalot and Matteo Darmian.

Arsenal made only one change from Sunday’s derby win against Tottenham as Aaron Ramsey was preferred to Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

It was strange as this was the first time in 82 games since 1986 that neither Sir Alex Ferguson or Arsene Wenger were in charge of the two clubs.

United’s new-look side made a bright start with Rashford and Anthony Martial both shooting straight at keeper Bernd Leno as Gunners’ fans chanted they wanted Mourinho to stay.

But it was largely a case of the teams cancelling out one another as they both played 3-4-3 systems.

Arsenal made the breakthrough in the 26th minute after an uncharacteristic error from De Gea who allowed Mustafi’s downward header from Lucas Torreira’s corner to slip through his hands.

Herrera cleared the ball, but goalline technology ruled it crossed the line.

United were level five minutes later through Martial who was fouled 25 yards from goal.

Rojo’s excellent free kick, directed over the defensive wall, was well pushed out by Leno.

Herrera, however, was quick as a flash on to the loose ball that he cut back for Martial to fire home.

Arsenal were forced into a defensive reshuffle when Stalybridge’s Rob Holding was taken over on a stretcher with what looked a painful knee injury. He was replaced by Stephan Lichtsteiner.

The Gunners were forced to make a second change at the restart as Ramsey, who picked up a knock late in the opening period was replaced by Mkhitaryan.

Rojo forced Leno to turn his 30-yard drive over the crossbar as United looked to go ahead for the first time.

United’s first change just after the hour was enforced as Martial limped off to be replaced by Lukaku.

Arsenal’s third and final changes mid-half saw the introduction of £52m substitute Alexandre Lacazette.

And Lacazette was instrumental in Arsenal regaining the lead in the 68th minute as he seized on a poor pass from Rojo before taking a return pass from Mkhitaryan and firing past De Gea, though replays suggested it may have been Rojo who turned the ball past De Gea who was again left floundering.

United made it 2-2 straight from the restart in three passes as Darmian pumped a long ball upfield over Lukaku as Lingard ran through to score.

Arsenal twice came close to regaining the lead when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was twice denied by super saves from De Gea.

United made their last two changes when Rojo and Lingard made way for Pogba and Fellaini.

Arsenal were denied a last-minute winner when United old-boy Mkhitaryan had a goal ruled out for offside.

De Gea made a fine stop to keep out Torreira’s effort but Mkhitaryan had strayed offside as he found the net from what looked an impossible angle.

Aaron is Sandbach United’s knight in shining armour

by

STOCKPORT TOWN 1, SANDBACH UNITED 2

Aaron Knight produced two pieces of brilliance to help Sandbach United triumph at Stockport Town in Hallmark Security League, first division south.

The former Bolton Wanderers’ professional was imperious as Sandbach came from behind to claim the points.

It didn’t start well for United after Callum Nolan fired Town ahead in the third minute after they carelessly gave away the ball in midfield.

Nolan and Gavin Salmon also had chances to give Town a larger half-time lead than 1-0.

But Matty Pearson and Jordan Davies failed to convert clear-cut chances for United in the opening period.

Right-back Pearson had another great chance early in the second half before they equalised just short of the hour.

Knight made a slalom run almost half the length of the field before his shot was well parried by keeper Andrew Stinca before Davies slotted home the loose ball.

Town would have regained the lead but for a great save from United’s Ryan Moss to deflect Liam Mottram’s shot on to the crossbar.

Davies headed against the bar as United almost went in front before they finally sealed the points in the 79th minute.

Knight delivered a perfect cross from the left for Davies to bag his second goal of the game with a neat finish.

Oldham Athletic have eyes on big boys after Emirates FA Cup win at non-league Maidstone United

by

MAIDSTONE UNITED 0, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 2

Oldham Athletic safely negotiated a second non-league hurdle following their Emirates FA Cup victory at non-league Maidstone United.

Goals from captain Peter Clarke and Chris O’Grady booked their passage to the third round for the first time since 2013/14 season and hopefully a lucrative tie.

Winning in Kent was not without its rewards, though, as Latics earned a prize cheque for £54,000 and also extended their unbeaten run to six league and cup games.

And in was far less stressful than in the first-round at Hampton and Richmond where two late goals prevented Latics from becoming victims of a giantkilling act after they had trailed for most of the match.

Latics were forced to make changes from the home draw against Lincoln City with Dan Gardner injured and Ishmael Miller suspended while left-back Andy Taylor refused to play on the 4G pitch for fear of injury.

Manager Frankie Bunn recalled Cameron Dummigan at right-back and switched Rob Hunt to left back to cover for Taylor while Mohamed Maouche replaced Gardner in the middle.

Callum Lang switched from striker wide left to replace Johan Branger-Engone while O’Grady came in for Miller up top.

Indeed, Latics were so short of players they had three trainees and a total of five teenagers on the bench with Giles Coke and Branger-Engone the only two seniors.

After an uninspiring start, Latics went ahead in the 17th minute through the first chance of the game.

Gevaro Nepomuceno fired a free kick into the box and George Edmundson turned the ball into the path of fellow central defender Clarke to stab home.

Surridge was then denied from a brilliant save from Grant Smith who tipped his effort onto the bar.

It was a wet and windy afternoon in Kent as referee Tom Young handed out five yellow cards in the first half.

Maidstone, currently in the National League relegation places, created their first chance on the stroke of half time as former Latics’ striker Jake Cassidy got the better of Edmundson to find Elliot Romain, but his effort was fired straight at Daniel Iversen.

Latics started the second half positively as Maouche curled an effort into Smith’s hands before Surridge hit the post from a corner.

Romain then forced a great save from Iversen, as the Maidstone man found space in the box before the Danish U21 goalkeeper produced a smart stop with his feet.

O’Grady sealed Latics’ victory six minutes from the end as he sold Will De Havilland with a fantastic turn before cutting in from the left and scoring from a tight angle to make it 2-0.

Maidstone hit the bar at the end through Ollie Muldoon, but it was one of the rare moments when they were troubled with Bunn dreaming of a tie at Manchester City where he was once on the coaching staff.

Oldham Athletic (4-4-2): Iversen; Dummigan, Clarke, Edmundson, Hunt; Lang, Maouche, Missilou, Nepomuceno; O’Grady, Surridge. Subs (not used): Coke, Graham, Branger-Engone, Hamer, McFarlane, Norman, Williams.

Attendance 3,516 (426 visitors).