EDDIE EDGES ALBION THROUGH

FA Cup Preliminary Round

WHO says the FA Cup has lost its magic?

It may only be early September, but in an extraordinary match at the Bargain Booze Stadium, the crowd was treated to the kind of drama only this competition can throw up.

Three penalties, four goals and a sending off rode their way through a rollercoaster first half in stark contrast to the routine discipline Albion have instilled into their play this season.

This has been exemplified none better than by keeper Phil McGing, whose run of four clean sheets was brought to an abrupt end when he conceded two penalties and picked up one red card.

His self-destruction started when he fouled Kieran Delaney on the half hour mark and couldn't stop Dale Lambert's penalty putting Oldham Town back in the game at 2-1.

McGing then became embroiled in a fracas with an Oldham forward after bringing the ball out, and duly conceded a second spot kick and received a second yellow.

Lambert again made no mistake despite sub goalie Alam Minshall's brave attempt, and Oldham were level.

Minshall even had to make a block from Delaney as the North West Counties outfit pressed for an unlikely half-time lead.

All this after Witton appeared to be coasting towards the 1st Qualifying Round by going 2-0 up in the first 25 minutes.

Eddie Bishop headed in Lee Anderson's cross at the back post after nine minutes, then David Anane began the penalty feast when he was bundled over by Jim Reilly as he hunted his first goal of the season.

This duly arrived when the striker picked himself up to plant the ball into the net.

With a half-time break to regain composure and get their heads together, attack-minded Albion came out and restored their two-goal lead.

Bishop again capitalised on Anderson's powerful bursts down the right, this time connecting with his foot to turn the full back's cross past Daniel Wrigley in Oldham's goal.

Two minutes later, the game appeared to be safe, although such assumptions are foolish in this competition.

Charlie Boyd's free-kick was charged down, Bishop chipped the rebound forward, where Boyd had continued running and his downward header wriggled past the goalkeeper.

But Witton took their foot off the pedal again and, with Brian Pritchard and Gareth West not their usual selves at the back, sub Steve Orme burst through to make it 4-3.

This was the first goal Albion have conceded from open play in 868 minutes, but they now faced an anxious time if they weren't going to concede another in the next five.

But there were no more penalties or goals and Witton earned a trip to another North West Counties side, Atherton Collieries in the next round. Something tells you more surprises could be in store there too.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.