Behind the Goal Line 2025:A Ball Boy’s Mum’s View of Life with Oldham Athletic

​ Reality Check: Oldham 0-3  Cambridge have the best defensive record in the league, on a run of 13 games unbeaten, and came down from League 1 this season – so this was always going to be a tough one. But we had our two new signings, Taylor and Jalo. Could they get a true Boundary Park welcome? Early Frustrations I think we got to about 6 minutes before the Oldham faithful started the chant against the ref. A stop-start game. Their game plan seemed to be just to stop us playing. Really frustrating first half. Lost Joe Garner 35 minutes in, holding his shoulder. I hope it’s nothing serious. But on comes Quigley – let’s see what he can do. Poorest Half in Ages Half time and it’s 0-0. Poorest half I’ve seen in a long time. Second Half Collapse Second half and Tom Pett doesn’t come back out – it’s Luke Hannant on instead. Let’s see what this half holds. Drummond brought down in the box – nothing given. Then they break, and Monthe collects the ball on the right but doesn’t clear it. He...

​ A Cruel Ending to the Unbeaten Run So down to Barnet the team travelled for a 12:30 kick off. These earlier kick offs normally don’t suit us – here’s hoping today’s not the case. Couldn’t get down there, so watching on the TV. Six games unbeaten – can this continue? Flying Start Off to a flying start with all the action coming from Oldham! Joe Garner passed the ball out, and a sweetly hit strike from our captain Tom Pett – we’re 1-0 up after 10 minutes! Come on! We were dominating the play with a few chances to make it 2 or 3 nil, but just couldn’t get it in the goal. Momentum Shifts Then a free kick to them, and they’ve equalised with a scrappy goal. 1-1. Felt a little against the run of play. Then another free kick to them, just inside our half. That’s kicked into the box and handled by Pett – so a penalty is awarded. No complaints from the Oldham team. 2-1 at half time. How are we going in behind? Even funnier, at half time you could hear off the mic some Barnet fans saying “how h...

​ Catching Up on the Festive Period I’ve missed a few game reviews! I’ve been to Walsall on the 29th December – OMG what a game! We arrived cold, wet, and in the dark, but it was more than made up for. The songs never stopped, and Joe Garner’s goal was brilliant. Even a clash of heads and a bandage didn’t stop him! New Year’s Day against Chesterfield saw Drummond get his year off to a great start with a goal! A 1-1 draw, but we’ll take that. But here’s yesterday’s report on the game against Cheltenham Town. Remembering Dale Harris Before I get into the match report, I want to reflect on the sad news about the passing of Dale Harris. A face and name I knew from his involvement in the club, but didn’t know him personally. It was lovely to see the club personnel line the pitch to pay their respects, and an amazing 1-minute applause 👏🏻 from the crowd. Condolences go to his wife, three children, and all who knew him. First Half Battle Scrappy start to the game, and I have no idea what the...