Post-Match Thread and Ratings Oldham FC 3-2 Southend Utd

[EastGreenNutter]

Hello

Oldham fan in peace.

Have enjoyed posting and reading this forum over the last few weeks.

A few points.

Your fan base is amazing. I know we always have good support, but today to see 2 huge, noisy and passionate supporters packing a Wembley made it a real occasion.

As for the game…..I have never been as mentally exhausted after a game of football ever. My heart rate was at 136 bpm in the last 5 minutes.

Also before the game I said that it was close to call, but felt that if we played to our best we would win. I think we didn’t play as well as I’d hoped - but that was more due to how you played I think, and you nullified the threat that we’d used so well in the previous 2 games.

The first goal knocked us - and I didn’t feel in the game for next 20 minutes, but then we didn’t play get more control and as stated we missed some good opportunities (and how Fondop missed that one near the end of the half I will never know).

Second half we got the penalty and I thought that would spur us on, but from our POV it felt like you were the better team for the rest of the half - even though we did have two good opportunities to score.

The early goal in ET seemed to floor us…team looked out of gas, our supporters were deflated and flat. Couldn’t see how we would get back in the game….and then 2 minutes of football that was out of the blue changed everything.

We are delighted to have won it, but I cannot hand on heart say it was well deserved. It was a close, tight game, and probably a draw and the penalty lottery would have been a fair outcome.

However after 34 years of waiting, I will be selfish and say I don’t care, and the memory of today - sharing it with my wife, my 7yo son and 80 year old Dad will be cherished forever.

The posts on here have been heartfelt, honest, and generous to Oldham - and I genuinely wish you success next season. There is not another team in the NL that deserves promotion more next season.

I will leave you to your angst and disappointment.

Yours in sport

All the best for next season mate, your fans were amazing today, I think you deserved it
to be honest, you played to your strengths and in the end it out done us, fair play.
CONGRATULATIONS!!
TILL WE MEET AGAIN.

 

[amsemp]

Just got in. Really hard one to take that. It’s the hope that killed you. Such a rollercoaster of emotions to the point it almost felt cruel. From being ten minutes away from being back in the league, to having it all ripped away in two minutes. It was always going to be pretty impossible to come back from that. Our heads dropped, the fans were shellshocked, Oldham had all the momentum and theirs fans took it up a gear. Pretty even game all things considered and if we were going to lose in the final, I’m glad it’s Oldham who went up. Proper club who deserve to be in the EFL.

So proud of our boys though. They absolutely ran through walls today. Sad to see some of them so devastated at full time as they gave it their absolute all. I think we were all prepared to write this season off a few months back given how hampered it’s been, so it’s a hell of an achievement we were even there. It hurts badly right now, but seriously proud of this club and the fans.

 

[bazzashrimper]

I thought we played well. First half Oldham were the better team, the rest of the game it was us. But even when we were on top, Oldham seemed to get the better chances. At 2-1 I never felt for a second that Oldham were going to score, until that hopeful ball and some great play by norcross.

A special mention today to Taylor, Noor and Ralph who were all brilliant. Coker did great when he came on, and Walker played well too.

Congratulations to Oldham. On to Truro

 

[Ted]

It really is the hope that kills you.

8 minutes from the Football league. Would’ve been easier to get smashed 3-0. Such a cruel way to lose, some how we should never have been in it with the chances Oldham had, a missed red card and penalty.

However, we controlled the game in many ways, got two goals, had sitters of our own and despite me saying all along I never thought we’d get through the playoffs, ten minutes from time I finally thought to myself, what if!

Some over excitement from our end, over commitment and some direct play from Oldham then wallop. Optimism killed.

We actually looked comfortable particularly with Yoganathan off the pitch. Some great displays from Husin and Taylor. But we came up short. Possibly the most gutted I’ve been from a game as it was finally there for the taking.

No idea how the team will look next year. I expect there 2 or 3 players which will get snapped up by my Football league clubs , whilst York and Carlisle go big on players.

Tough to take, bloody painful being a Southend fan.

Well done Oldham, proper club.

 

[fbm]

It's a very sad evening, one I genuinely didn't think we'd be having. I thought today belonged to us.

As for the criticism of GSM, he played the ball over the top to Kendall for the opener. He kept the ball numerous times under pressure. He made a few errors but it was FAR from his worst game for us.

What did Hayes do wrong? Kicking was fine, made a sharp save low down in the second half, not at fault for their goals... genuinely puzzled.

And so the same evening as we lose the play off final... the "Maher Out" tribe is back. Look, everyone is entitled to their opinion and you're absolutely entitled to yours, but tonight is not the time. If you're winding people up then stop, it's cruel after that result, and if you're genuine, then read the room a bit?

 

[Lincoln Shrimp]

Unfortunately I couldn't attend today but watched from a bar alongside an Oldham fan in Skiathos this afternoon.

Before the game i, like a lot of fans thought that after everything the players, management team and supporters had been through in the last few years, victory was written in the stars. Despite our early goal I knew Oldham would peg us back back and we'd need to manufacture another key moment to grab a goal to edge us ahead once more. We bossed the opening 15 minutes of extra time and when Leon nodded us ahead I thought we were on our way to League Two. Football can be a cruel mistress though and somehow two lapses in concentration in three minutes put paid to our dream of a return to the EFL.

The Oldham supporter I watched the game with was a lovely lad and I couldn't help but feel his emotion as he hugged his 20 month old son at the end with tears in his eyes. He admitted to me that he thought they were down and out at 2-1 and could see no way back.
He was castagating their keeper after his parry allowed Leon to nod home our second and was fiercely critical of Fondop for his inability to finish when one on one with Hayes.

Personally, I didn't think there was much in the game at all. They may have created a couple more clearer cut chances than us, but I felt we had more more general control of the game in the 90 minutes barring the first 20 minutes of the second half.
We were the side looking to force things in extra time and as Ive said above, once Leon headed us ahead I could sense a dream ending to an emotionally draining season.

Out of nowhere Oldham grabbed two goals, and all of a sudden the players and us fans were on our knees. I bloody hate football sometimes, but it's the rare, joyous moments that keep you coming back for more.

I think what worries me now is that after coming so close to regaining our EFL status, with just one automatic promotion place up for grabs again next season, it's a huge huge ask for the players to pick themselves up off the floor next season and grab top spot.

Feeling devastated tonight, but proud of the club, the players and our supporters for their immense effort which so nearly saw us complete a fairytale ending.

 

[hlane17]

Won't comment on the game. We simply have to win the lot next season, **** doing the playoff lottery again.

 

[Crowstone Crevette]

Cmon COSU give us our overpriced season tickets prices for next season!!!

@Shrimper4lifeCBS

I think you'll find there is an option NOT to buy!

 

[Blue Blood]

Can't believe that when I was clapping our players off of the pitch someone pinched my match programme from under my seat. Talk about 2 upsets in one day. I hope our fan whoever pinched it goes to sleep tonight and never wakes up. My mate got 2 for his sons so he gave me one of his. Your a top bloke Lee. Who steels from there own? COYBs

 

[Somerset Ex-TTB]

Do me a favour most of the season has been tripe!!!

Someone ban this cretin please.

 

[fbm]

Hello

Oldham fan in peace.

Have enjoyed posting and reading this forum over the last few weeks.

A few points.

Your fan base is amazing. I know we always have good support, but today to see 2 huge, noisy and passionate supporters packing a Wembley made it a real occasion.

As for the game…..I have never been as mentally exhausted after a game of football ever. My heart rate was at 136 bpm in the last 5 minutes.

Also before the game I said that it was close to call, but felt that if we played to our best we would win. I think we didn’t play as well as I’d hoped - but that was more due to how you played I think, and you nullified the threat that we’d used so well in the previous 2 games.

The first goal knocked us - and I didn’t feel in the game for next 20 minutes, but then we didn’t play get more control and as stated we missed some good opportunities (and how Fondop missed that one near the end of the half I will never know).

Second half we got the penalty and I thought that would spur us on, but from our POV it felt like you were the better team for the rest of the half - even though we did have two good opportunities to score.

The early goal in ET seemed to floor us…team looked out of gas, our supporters were deflated and flat. Couldn’t see how we would get back in the game….and then 2 minutes of football that was out of the blue changed everything.

We are delighted to have won it, but I cannot hand on heart say it was well deserved. It was a close, tight game, and probably a draw and the penalty lottery would have been a fair outcome.

However after 34 years of waiting, I will be selfish and say I don’t care, and the memory of today - sharing it with my wife, my 7yo son and 80 year old Dad will be cherished forever.

The posts on here have been heartfelt, honest, and generous to Oldham - and I genuinely wish you success next season. There is not another team in the NL that deserves promotion more next season.

I will leave you to your angst and disappointment.

Yours in sport

Good luck in L2 mate.

In my opinion, Oldham probably should have won it in normal time. I thought we had extra time, you seemed leggy and done (odd substitutions IMO) and we would go on and win. How Walker missed the sitter at 2-1 when he shot straight at your keeper from about 5 yards out... oh well.

But re my highlighted part of your post... we had that 10 years ago v Wycombe, and now it's your turn. Us lower league clubs don't get this too often, so enjoy it. I was with my mates watching back then, but this time I took the wife, kids, their partners plus step-daughter, because I wanted it to be an unforgettable shared experience for us all.

The result was unkind, but we had moments of euphoria and it wasn't a damp squib of a match. Tons of drama. They all loved it as an occasion.

So savour that memory of yours, that's the bit you'll remember the most.

 

[geoffmundo]

It's a very sad evening, one I genuinely didn't think we'd be having. I thought today belonged to us.

As for the criticism of GSM, he played the ball over the top to Kendall for the opener. He kept the ball numerous times under pressure. He made a few errors but it was FAR from his worst game for us.

What did Hayes do wrong? Kicking was fine, made a sharp save low down in the second half, not at fault for their goals... genuinely puzzled.

And so the same evening as we lose the play off final... the "Maher Out" tribe is back. Look, everyone is entitled to their opinion and you're absolutely entitled to yours, but tonight is not the time. If you're winding people up then stop, it's cruel after that result, and if you're genuine, then read the room a bit?

It was also his cross that LCP turned in

 

[Guybrush13]

Someone ban this cretin please.

As much as I disagree with his views you can't just ban people for having an opinion different to yours.

 

[JCB]

Sorry you feel that way. Goodliffe's attempt to clear that speculative cross certainly gave Hayes no chance and for once his headers were weak and poorly directed. But come on, we were at Wembley. We came close to winning. We scared Oldham who had blasted both Halifax and York and whose fans thought they would thrash us. Despite losing so cruelly it's been a day to remember.

Let's look forward to going one better next season JCB.

You’re probably right just struggling atm. Will take a while

 

[Barling Magna]

Some comments from the Oldham fans forum:

"Yep that could have gone either way, hope it’s Southend’s turn next season."

"Kevin Maher was class afterwards as I knew he would be. I really hope Southend kill it next year."

"Think all OAFC support will be rooting for you next season as Mellon has said post match Southend would improve the EFL and the promotion situation a shambles. Good luck and bounce back stronger."

"Fair play to Southend fans, I had a few congratulating me, hope they win the league next year, proper team."

 

[Hampshire Shrimp]

Please, just stop posting. You are looking more and more ridiculous with each post.

It`s a forum, and certainly not yours alone? If you don`t like certain posts or posters scroll on. Any form of negativity on here gets slammed. We all have different views, and that`s what makes it balanced. But, please stop trying to be the voice of reason all the time.

 

[Clinton Baptiste]

Hard to be critical. The criticism of Hayes and Gus is uncalled for. Gus the most positive player we had on the pitch and set up both goals. Thought the difference was the subs. Norwood is top quality. Walker and Bonne did virtually nothing. None of the strikers seem to know what the other is doing. We lack a real partnership up top.

 

[Magnum PI]

I only have one comment at moment and that is how surprised I am to see people saying Walker was crap when he came on. I thought he was immense, and never seen him put such a shift in. He kept the ball up top and just ran out of puff for his Sitter… he made a massive difference but I understand that doesn’t fit agendas

 

[ms brush]

Couldn't be prouder of the team and the club. It was a painful way to lose, after bossing most of the game, but our season's success cant be defined by 2 minute lapse in concentration! Oldham, to their credit, are free scoring and they took those chances!

When you think that in June last year there was s good chance our club would have been gone, and a year later we are part of a record breaking crowd and a fantastic advert for the 5th tier, you cant help but be proud of the players, Kev and the coaching staff, the backroom teams and of course COSU ! And what a turnout at Wembley!!

We missed out on promotion today, in the most painful way, but we will come back stronger and with a full pre-season and a couple of signings i am confident that we will be up there again.

And for the record, I thought Taylor was man of the match today.

 

[Barnet Bee]

Firstly congratulations to Oldham Athletic for getting back to the EFL.
Right that's the pleasantries out of the way...
Hope all Shrimpers attending today got home safely.
Was sat with @Mad Cyril and thoroughly enjoyed my day as a Shrimper.
Gutted doesn't do justice to how I'm feeling and I'm only a Day Tripper...
Incidentally I thought it was a Stonewall penalty when Eastwood went down, shocking decision by the Ref..

Trying to cheer myself up isn't working, think it was Forson that was fouled..
Ifs buts and may bees...
If I didn't support Barnet, then I'd definitely take this on full time..
I shouted all game and my voice has gone.
This season was looking like an 'Annus Horribilis' back in August/September, but it ended so close to being quite extraordinary.
Gutted there will be no league games between us next season but the platform has been set for you guys to aim high.
It's GOT to be a Championship push right from day one..
Not sure how strong Morecombe and Carlisle will be, plenty of air miles to be had there Shrimpers.. But I see it being yourselves, York and PSG as things stand.. Oh FGR..
Next season starts right now and I believe you are in a good place..
I'll follow your results every match day next season and if I don't have any Black and Amber commitments, then I will try and get down to RH for a Shrimper match day experience.. I've been 6 times but always in the "Other" end .
I may even do a Shrimper road game.
Thanks to all the Shrimpers that have made me so welcome.
I am gutted about today but it's only onwards and upwards from here on in..
COYB