East of the M60 Comment:
Congratulations are in order for Oldham Athletic, whose F.A. Challenge Cup run ended last night at Goodison Park. Well done to all those involved, especially the players, Youth Team Boss/Caretaker Manager Tony Philliskirk, and the supporters. I extend my congratulations to former Droylsden player Matt Smith, who almost single handedly continued their run.
Who’d have thought as far back as early November that the Latics would beat Liverpool along their way to the Fifth Round Proper, or draw with Everton at Boundary Park before yesterday? Oldham’s run began with a potential banana skin versus Steve Burr’s Kidderminster Harriers before beating Doncaster Rovers in the next round.
Who’d have thought in January they would have beaten Nottingham Forest, let alone Liverpool in the next round? For the last four months, it was good to see a happy Oldham, a much needed respite from the doom and gloom of its silent shopping streets and quieter open market. It reminded me of 1990 all over again when both Association and Rugby League football sides went to Wembley.
We hope that the feel good factor from their FA Cup run transfers to their NPower League One campaign. They are going to need the same sort of spirit which thwarted Liverpool and scared Everton at Boundary Park for avoiding relegation to NPower League Two.
Well done lads!
S.V., 27 February 2013.
East of the M60 
Matt Smith will always remember the season when he scored two goals against Liverpool and two goals against Everton in an FA Cup run.
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Seconded, Paul!
Hard to imagine he was playing against the likes of Stalybridge Celtic and Hyde FC instead of Liverpool and Everton a few years back. I hope he gets more games for the Latics because he only came on as sub during the replay. He should have been in the starting XI.
Bye for now,
Stuart.
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