Oldham Town Vs Castleton Gabriel's

Castleton were forced to make several changes to the team that drew 3-3 with Cheadle the previous week. With injuries to Graham Hicks, Matthew Jackson and Dean Watkinson, Castleton would have to quickly adapt to get a result at mid table outfit Oldham Town.

Tenacious midfielder Carl winstanley was brought in at right wing, and Michael ward deputised for Graham Hicks at right back. Matthew Russell was brought in for central midfielder Matthew Jackson. Alan Brannick started his first game of the season at centre back for the injured Dean Watkinson.

Oldham started well and quickly went in search for an early goal. In particular Oldham’s left-winger stirring trouble on the left flank, but Castleton managed to hold back his early advances.
Gabs were lucky not so have gone behind after 10 minutes when an Oldham attacker rattled the cross bar from close range after a mazy run through the Castleton defence.

After a very rugged start and some harsh challenges, Castleton were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Oldham area. Eager to have a go at the Oldham keeper, Brad Barrington took up the responsibility and placed the ball, and from 23 yards he picked his spot and drilled a shot past the bemused Oldham keeper to take a surprising lead.

Clearly shocked by the goal, Oldham went in search of an equaliser. Castleton Playing very deep sat back and welcomed Oldham’s attacks. A few long-range efforts were all Oldham could conjure and Gabs keeper Canning had no trouble in collecting anything that was thrown his way.
Castleton themselves were limited to a few long range efforts and were unable to break the Oldham defence from open play, but had done well to get to the halfway point in front.

Oldham who were playing in front of a frustrated home crowd, seemed to be heading for a loss as all efforts at goal were unfruitful.

Then around the hour mark, a pivotal incident that would change the fortunes of Castleton happened. Central defender Alan Brannick had to be taken off due to injury, and already low on defensive cover, had to push Matthew Russell into centre back, Andrew Pheby was pushed into central midfield, and Christian Evans brought on upfront.

Obviously disrupting the balance of play, Gabs suffered a serious lapse in concentration. After 72 minutes, right-winger James Curley who had tormented the Gabs defence all afternoon, swung in a low cross, which was met by striker Darren Scanlan who slotted past keeper Canning For Oldham first of the afternoon.

8 minutes later, a dubious free kick was awarded to Oldham, and from which defender Steven Shiel headed home to earn Oldham a 2-1 lead.
Oldham now hungry for goals, went in search of more, and were rewarded with only two minutes left in the game, substitute Elstrom Die providing Scanlan with the ball, who from the edge of the area, Fired a neat shot past keeper Canning. The floodgates had well and truly opened.

Things were to get worse for Gabs, after 90 minutes whilst Castleton’s confidence was low, Scanlan slotted home his third from a defensive mix-up, and claim a seventeen minute hat trick, and finally condemn Castleton to an away defeat at Oldham.

Thankfully the final whistle was blown, and having held back Oldham for much of the game, Gabs were the victims of a 4-1 defeat, and considering they conceded 4 goals with 18 minutes left on the clock, they will be kicking themselves, and hoping that confidence will be restored, and injuries healed in time for the weekend cup clash against table toppers New Mills.