Mellor Thirds 11-1 AFC Oldham Seconds
Match report provided by Third Team Manager Adam Axford:
After two 6-0 wins we were have started to build the momentum which we need to move up the League table and try and challenge for one of the top spots.
With players back from injury and holidays etc we had a squad starting to resemble that of a few months ago, minus keeper Benn McGregor who was called up to the Second team in the absence of their regular number 1. Jack Kuehl took on the gloves for the first half.
Having been held to a 3-3 draw earlier in the season we went in to the game knowing we may be in for a tough game, although Oldham arrived with no subs and their manager filling in at RB which did not bode well for our Orange visitors.
We started the game well, causing Oldham problems down both flanks, Fred Keyte causing the left back issues from the first whistle down the right hand side. It wasn't until the 18th minute we finally got the reward for our efforts, Fred Keyte linking up with Jack Barraclough who's shot hit the post, Rick Nuttall got a toe on the rebound which ended up back at Barraclough's feet who was able to smash the ball home from 5/6 yards for 1-0. Just a minute later another attack led to a corner, Fred Keyte delivered a dangerous ball in which Chris Barlow gladly nodded home for 2-0.
On 32 minutes Fred Keyte turned from provider into scorer to make it 3-0, linking up with Rick Nuttall who provided his second assist of the game.
Nick Entwistle got in on the action with his first of the game to make it 4-0 on 38 minutes, Chris Barlow with the assist.
Just a minute later Barlow grabbed his second after a great run from midfield by Nick Broadway who jinked past 3/4 Oldham players and laid Barlow in for the finish.
Five minutes before half time Oldham grabbed a goal back, a corned whipped in from the left was headed home.
At half time Jack Kuehl came out of net and swapped with fellow centre back Lewis Hanlon. Pat Rodgers continued his come back from injury and replaced Jack Barraclough at half time.
Five minutes into the half another great run into the box by Fred Keyte made it 6-1. The winger beating his man and firing a shot a goal, the keeper saved with his feet but the ball cannoned in off a defender for an Own Goal. Just two minutes later it was 7-1, Fred Keyte this time claiming the goal, assisted by Nick Broadway.
With 30 minutes to go Manager Adam Axford came on to replace Chris Barlow. A few minutes later Axford played the ball into the channel to Rick Nuttall who squared to Nick Entwistle to grab his 2nd of the game to make it 8-1.
A few minutes later Axford grabbed a goal, Nick Entwistle downed in the box but the ball fell to Adam who slotted home past the keeper for 9-1.
With 20 minutes to go Rick Axford replaced Rick Nuttall.
It was 10-1 with 10 minutes on the clock, Rick Axford providing the assist for Fred Keyte to complete his hattrick.
In the final minute of the Jack Barraclough tricked his way into the box and fired a shot which the defender blocked with his arm, the ref pointed to the spot. Nick Entwistle stepped up to slot into the bottom right hand corner and complete his hattrick.
The game finished 11-1, it was a complete demolition of an Oldham team which were out of sorts and clearly struggling for player, having signed three on to complete their bare eleven.
Nethertheless it was a good strong performance and a much needed +10 boost of our goal difference which was becoming a concern if we want to challenge higher up the table. The win takes us up to 5th although a couple of teams have games in hand. We still have Home and Away games against 3 of the top 4 teams so I'm hopeful if we can play the way we have been doing the past three games we can really make a claim for the top few positions. Another two home games coming up, firstly Moston who we beat 1-8 away from home in October and then local rivals Signol who we drew with in both games last season.
Up the Thirds!
