Sheridan stunned by Dale’s ten men
OLDHAM boss John Sheridan felt his side passed up a great chance to climb out of the relegation zone after watching his men succumb to tenman rivals Rochdale.
Aaron Amadi-Holloway hit a sweet opener after a slick team move but Dale levelled through a penalty from Ian Henderson, who was then sent off just before half-time for picking up a pair of needless bookings.
Keith Hill’s side scored twice in the opening ten minutes of the second half though, first through an own goal credited to Amadi-Holloway but which appeared to come off the head of Anthony Gerrard.
Callum Camps then crashed in a superb 25-yard shot off the underside of the crossbar on the break for the visitors, before Amadi-Holloway replied in kind with a sumptuous first-time volley of his own from a similar distance.
“I am very disappointed, with it being a derby and up against a local team,” said Sheridan, whose side drop a place to 22nd.
“Once we got the goal I believe we had some good chances. It is about anticipation in the box. We could have scored two or three in the first half and put the game to bed.
“The penalty knocked us back and gave them belief at half-time.With the man sent off, it is a game-changer and gives us the advantage to go on and get the three points.
“But it wasn’t to be.We came out after half-time and got punished for the silly little mistakes we made.
“We huffed and puffed but didn’t have any cuteness. I am pleased for Aaron to get his goals, but it is a difficult one to explain.”
Amadi-Holloway’s opener came from a swift attack; the on-loan Wycombe striker firing in neatly with the side of his right-foot from a Curtis Main lay-off.
Timothee Dieng tripped Camps for the spot-kick and Donal McDermott’s in-swinging corner caught the head of Gerrard on its way in.
Camps and Amadi-Holloway exchanged goals but despite plenty of territory, Oldham created few chances to level the game. “As a team we have learned how to fight and that is essential,” said Rochdale boss Hill.“It is one of the first things your parents tell you and you need it in any arena.
“We showed excellent spirit, especially with ten men.
“Our penalty came out of nothing but it was a definite penalty and gave us something to hold onto.
“Ian Henderson was sent off, but we went into the second half with a game plan and it worked.
“They threw everything at us, as you would expect. But I am pleased Camps’ goal won it for us, because it was special.”