Preview: Oldham Athletic

26 January 2021

The second half of the League Two season begins tonight with a home clash against Oldham Athletic at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium (kick-off: 7pm).

Boosted by the confidence of a special performance against high flying Premier League side Manchester City on Saturday, Michael Duff's squad enter into this evening's fixture knowing they need to put their foot down and get back to the reality of the all important League campaign.

Oldham, who defeated Newport County AFC on the weekend, will provide a tough opposition, and boast one of the best away records in the division. So tonight's game is finely balanced and all set up to be a competitive occasion.

Make sure you don't miss a kick by watching the game in full online by purchasing a match pass on iFollow for £10.

Team news

There are injury concerns in the camp which mean Chris Hussey, Liam Sercombe and Ellis Chapman are unlikely to be involved.

Tom Chamberlain is available though after being cup-tied for Saturday's FA Cup game.

Check out Michael Duff's pre-match press conference looking ahead to the match.

Opposition

Going into the weekend Oldham had failed to register a win in four League Two matches and also went out of the FA Cup at the third round stage against Championship side AFC Bournemouth.

On Saturday though they recorded a good home win against Newport County AFC, and travel to Gloucestershire as one of the in form teams when it comes to their away record in League Two. On the road this season they've won six times including successes over the likes of Exeter City, Bolton Wanderers and Newport County.

They may have a decision to make in their goalkeeping selection this evening. Usual incumbment Ian Lawlor wasn't involved on Saturday because of an injury, so 22-year-old Laurence Bilboe deputised instead.

In front of him in their defensive set-up expect a familiar face in full back Sido Jombati who joined them in the summer after leaving Wycombe Wanderers. He spent three years at Cheltenham having been plucked from non-league Bath City.

Also at the back they can turn to 19-year-old Arsenal loanee Harry Clarke, while Tom Hamer and Carl Piergianni were both unused substitutes at the weekend despite their experience.

Their midfield ranks have been boosted by the signing of Nicky Adams recently from Northampton Town. Ben Garrity is on loan from League One Blackpool, while Congo international Dylan Bahamboula has caught the eye since he arrived at the club in October from Bulgarian outfit Tsarsko Selo Sofia.

At the top of the pitch Marcel Hilßner has joined on loan from Coventry City this month on loan until the end of the season. Bobby Grant also provides noteworthy Football League experience.

Manager: Harry Kewell

Former Australia international Harry Kewell took charge at Oldham at the beginning of August 2020 - his third managerial job having previously had stints in charge at Crawley Town and Notts County. Before that he had been a part of the youth set-up at Watford.

A Champions League winner from the five years he spent with Liverpool, the 42-year-old broke onto the English football scene as an attack-minded winger with Leeds United in the 90s.

He also went onto represent Galatasary, Al-Gharafa in the Middle East and Melbourne Victory and Melbourne Heart in his homeland before turning to coaching and management.

One to watch: Conor McAleny

With 14 goals to his name this season, Conor McAleny has enjoyed a pleasing season in front of goal for Oldham after he arrived last summer from Fleetwood Town.

The 28-year-old is a former Everton youngster who has hit the ground running with the Latics.

In his time at Goodison Park he spent time on loan at the likes of Brentford, Cardiff City, Charlton Athletic and Oxford United until he moved on a permanent deal to Fleetwood in 2017.

While with the Cod Army he had loan spells again in Scotland with Kilmarnock and also at Shrewsbury Town.

Match programme

Get your hands on either a print or digital copy of the match programme for the game by buying through the club's online shop.

The 24 page print edition features a big interview with Conor Thomas reflecting on Saturday's FA Cup tie, but looking forward to the second half of the League season as he aims to play a commanding role in the campaign, plus much more.

In the 48 page digital edition, there's an interview with Ben Tozer, a look back at the media impact the FA Cup tie had on the club, the thoughts of boss Michael Duff and lots of other features looking at the night's opposition.

The print programme is available to buy for £2.50 and can be posted (select 'match programme' as your delivery option for £1 postage) or can be collected from the club during office opening hours.

You can also buy the digital version for £2 and download it immediately.

Watch the match on iFollow

An iFollow match pass guarantees you acccess to watch the match online in full.

All you have to do is subscribe to a match pass for £10 before kick-off to enjoy the action.

Season ticket holders will have received an iFollow match pass as part of their season ticket over email.

Coverage

View the latest updates from the game by following @CTFCofficial on Twitter. There are also goal and score updates available on the club's Facebook page and Instagram account.

After the full time whistle you can view the match report from the game on the club website, including all the stats from the 90 minutes. There will also be the post-match press conference with Michael Duff to watch too.

Extended highlights will also be available of the action on iFollow.

Match Reports

Report & highlights: Robins 2-0 Oldham Athletic

26 January 2021

Cheltenham Town have returned to winning ways as Andy Williams and Alfie May scored to hand Michael Duff’s side a 2-0 win over Oldham Athletic at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium.

Fresh from a lucrative FA Cup tie against Manchester City at the weekend, the Robins showed no signs of rustiness in what was a professional display against their League Two counterparts.

Harry Kewell’s side were five without a win in all competitions before picking up an impressive victory over Newport County last time out.

Boosted by the confidence of a going toe-to-toe with high-flying Premier League side Man City on Saturday, Cheltenham made one change from that game, with Williams replacing George Lloyd in the starting line-up.

Oldham had collected 21 points from 11 away trips before travelling to the Jonny-Rocks in a rich away vein of form only bettered by one other club in the division.

Hosts Cheltenham started on the front foot against the Latics, with May looking sharp in the opening exchanges, only days after his heroic FA Cup exploits against City.

Having given Nicky Adams the slip on the wing, May drove into the penalty box before striking towards Laurence Bilboe in the Oldham goal. Saving well with his feet, it wouldn’t be the last time Bilboe was called into action in the first half.

Cheltenham’s stopper Josh Griffiths was making miraculous stops against Riyad Mahrez and Gabriel Jesus at the weekend, but his impressive save to deny Ben Garrity could prove just as important in the context of the season.

Advancing into the box, Garrity made it as far as the penalty spot before striking towards goal, where on loan West Bromwich Albion ‘keeper Griffiths saved with aplomb.

Shortly after bailing Cheltenham out within the first five minutes of the game, Marcel Hilßner’s long-range free kick might have caused a bigger problem - but despite Oldham’s gesticulations - Griffiths gathered his initial block to thwart the midfielders tricky strike.

In between Cheltenham’s best efforts to open the scoring through Finn Azaz and Matty Blair, Oldham forward Dylan Bahamboula squandered the best opportunity of the first period. After rounding Griffiths in the penalty box, the Robins goalkeeper did well to recover and tighten the angle for Bahamboula, whose delayed effort on goal was cleared by the covering Lewis Freestone.

With chances few and far between for either side before the break, the returning Williams made the most of his first chance in the second half.

Having kept onside, Williams latched onto Will Boyle’s pass into Oldham's half, and without hesitation drove towards goal, dropped his shoulder and bent a brilliant effort into the far corner to break the deadlock in the 54th minute.

Oldham looked for an instant reply as Griffiths stood up to the challenge again. KD Davis found enough space in Cheltenham’s box to take aim at an acute angle, though his effort was tipped onto the crossbar by the Cheltenham goalkeeper.

Alfie May doubled Cheltenham's lead with an accurate strike of his own from outside the penalty box. With Cheltenham in full control, May was replaced by George Lloyd after what has been a memorable few days for the in-form striker.

Cheltenham will travel south of Gloucestershire to face Forest Green on Saturday (kick off 15:00).

CHELTENHAM TOWN (3-5-2): J Griffiths (GK); C Raglan, B Tozer, W Boyle; M Blair, L Freestone, F Azaz, C Thomas, C Clements; A May, A Williams (AAddai '89). Subs not used: S Flinders (GK), S Long, D Bowry, G Lloyd, T Chamberlain, C Ebanks

OLDHAM ATHLETIC (4-1-3-2): L Bilboe (GK); N Adams, H Clarke, K Jameson (A Badan ’70), S Jombati; B Ntambwe (B Grant ‘64), KD Davis (A McCalmont ’75), B Garrity, M Hilßner; D Bahamboula, C McAleny. Subs not used: M Chapman (GK), C Piergianni, D Fage, T Hamer