Two Points Dropped: Oldham 2-2 Shrewsbury

A Rollercoaster Afternoon at Boundary Park

Back at Boundary Park for the 3pm kick off. Is today the day we get back to winning ways? Can we finally find the back of the net? The questions were hanging in the air as kick off approached.

Boundary Park was bouncing, the sun was shining, but that wind – absolutely freezing. Still, there was optimism in the air. Surely this was our day.

First Half Frustrations

We started well, passing the ball nicely, even hitting the crossbar. But here’s the problem that’s becoming all too familiar – we just can’t find the back of the net. We’re creating chances, plenty of them in the first half, but we’re back to wanting to pass it into the goal.

Come on, someone, anyone – just have a shot on target!

It got to the point where even the half time challenge couldn’t find the net, let alone the gap in the tyre. Sums it up really.

Nightmare Start to the Second Half

The second half kicked off and I honestly think we were still in the dressing room. Twenty-two seconds. That’s all it took. One chance, one goal for Shrewsbury.

Wake up boys, come on!

What followed might have been the worst performance of the season. Nothing was clicking. The passing that looked decent in the first half had disappeared. We looked lost.

Signs of Life

Then in comes Tom Pett in the 51st minute and absolutely smashes it into the back of the net. 1-1. Finally, some signs of life!

The Jimmy Frizzell Stand started singing Fondop’s name. Is he the change we need? He came on for Michael Mellon and straight away he was getting involved, making a nuisance of himself. There was a challenge in the box that was a clear penalty – but nothing given. Typical.

We were passing the ball well again, covering all over the pitch, but still trying to walk it into the net. Someone needs to shoot!

Tempers Flare

More tussling in the box and Joe Garner had clearly had enough. He slammed their player to the floor. Can’t say I entirely blame him with the frustration building.

Hawkes came on for Hannet at 70 minutes, and Drummond replaced Hammond. Could this be the change we needed?

Heartbreak… Then Redemption

Then disaster. Shrewsbury broke down the right in the 90th minute and somehow they’ve scored. 2-1 down. Lots of Oldham fans had seen enough and started leaving the ground.

But with 5 minutes of added time, I still had hope. Not sure why, going off the previous 90 minutes, but you just never know, do you?

It was all pressure in the Shrewsbury box. Can we find the net?

Yes we can! Joe Garner heads it home. 2-2!

A Goal That Feels Like a Win… But Isn’t

A goal that feels like a win but really is 2 points dropped. That’s the honest truth of it.

It’s a weird feeling leaving Boundary Park today. Relief mixed with frustration. We should have won that game. We created enough chances, had enough possession, but we made it so hard for ourselves.

Looking Ahead

We absolutely cannot play like that next week in the FA Cup first round against Northampton. Let’s hope Micky Mellon gives them a good talking to because that performance – for 80 minutes at least – wasn’t good enough.

The fighting spirit is there. The late equalizer proved that. But we need more than just spirit. We need composure, clinical finishing, and a killer instinct.

Come on you Blues. Big week ahead.

💙🔵⚪️ #OAFC

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