Bolton scrape past Oldham

Oldham 0 Bolton 1

Oldham’s FA Cup adventure ended at Boundary Park today as Ricardo Vaz Te scored the only goal of the game for Bolton.

The Portuguese striker stooped in the ninth minute to get on the end of Ricardo Gardner’s cross from the left, and goalkeeper Les Pogliacomi could only palm the ball into his own net.

While Brian Talbot’s side attacked with purpose, they rarely tested Jussi Jaaskelainen in goal for the visitors.

Talbot was in the dugout despite being involved in an unsavoury incident on his way to the game where he was attacked in Manchester before the game.

He watched his side put up a brave fight, but they did not have composure in front of goal to add to their Premiership scalp of Manchester City this season.

He and opposing manager Sam Allardyce suffered cup upsets when they were together at West Brom, famously getting knocked out by non-league Woking at The Hawthorns – but Talbot could not inflict another giant-killing on his former colleague.

Together with Oldham’s rich cup pedigree – they beat Bolton on their way to the semi-final in 1994 – the ingredients for a giant-killing were there, although the early goal meant the Coca-Cola League One side were always chasing the game.

The Boundary Park pitch cut up towards the end of the game but, in truth, it suited Bolton’s direct style of play.

However, Oldham did push forward with purpose after the early setback, with John Eyre at the heart of most of their promising attacks.

Five minutes after the opener Eyre had his fierce volley deflected over after he fortuitously received the ball from a ricochet off Fernando Hierro.

The home side were inspired by this half-chance and had a penalty claim when Bruno N’Gotty challenged Neil Kilkenny, although skipper Will Haining survived a handball appeal in his own area in the previous move.

Eyre then had another shot when he got on the end of a corner, but his effort was scooped over the crossbar.

Midway through the half the 30-year-old spread a great ball through to Kevin Betsy and the striker held up the ball before laying it back. Eyre had a clear sight of goal but totally missed his kick.

Bolton were rocked by this fighting comeback, and Khalilou Fadiga escaped a booking in the 24th minute when he grabbed Kilkenny by the shorts, but referee Matt Messias allowed play to continue and did not caution the Senegal international.

Mark Hughes went close with a volley, Danny Hall headed over from close range and Eyre had another effort go wide – and the half-time whistle could not come quick enough for Allardyce’s side.

This was illustrated by Hierro’s booking in the final stages for hauling down Lee Croft.

Vaz Te thought he had another sight of goal in the 49th minute but he was ruled offside as he raced onto Hierro’s pass.

Henrik Pedersen then flashed a volley wide of Pogliacomi’s left post, with the goalkeeper covering his angles if the effort was on target.

Haining, who was having a commanding performance in the heart of Oldham’s defence after passing a late fitness test, almost scored an own goal in the 53rd minute when he sliced Vaz Te’s cross over his ‘keeper but onto the roof of the net.

It was the last contribution he made as he was replaced by Kelvin Lomax soon after.

Pogliacomi then kept his team in the game by blocking Kevin Davies from close range when the striker was found unmarked.

Bolton’s defensive line-up changed too, with Nicky Hunt carried off on a stretcher after a poor tackle by Croft. Anthony Barness was brought on to replace the full-back.

Pedersen then crossed for Vaz Te after 62 minutes but his shot went over the bar from five yards out – but both sides were pressing for the second goal of the match.

Jaaskelainen was finally called into action with 18 minutes left in the match, but Adam Griffin’s shot lacked power and direction.

Eyres had a header deflected over a minute later, then crossed for Bruce who headed over from six yards.

Pogliacomi produced another fine save to deny Fadiga with 15 minutes left, and Davies’ rebound was blocked – but it was Oldham who finished stronger.

Jaaskelainen blocked from close range from Cooper, who was brought on as a substitute, and Bruce volleyed over from close range too – but it remained 1-0.