HATS OFF TO THE JOHNSON DOUBLE
OLDHAM boss Lee Johnson insisted it was the fans who propelled his side towards dismantling Rochdale in a cracking Lancashire ‘El FlatCapico’ derby.
The Latics roared to a first success at Spotland since way back in 1974, a victory which propelled them into the League One play-off places.
And they did it in front of almost 4,000 travelling fans who certainly did their utmost to inspire their troops on an electrifying afternoon.
After watching loan-man Daniel Johnson strike twice in a clinical effort on the day, boss Johnson said: “I’m really delighted because I’ve just seen a very, very professional performance.
“To be honest there wasn’t much in the game until we scored, but we looked solid throughout and very strong.
“We had a good shape from start to finish, and we needed that because they never stopped running.
“It was a tough game in the end, and maybe a 3-0 scoreline did flatter us a little bit given the state of the play.We limited them to very few chances, though. I don’t really remember Paddy Kenny having a save to make.
“We’re in that top six now, but it’s still very early days. The mindset has to be to stay there, and that’s not going to be easy, of course.
“This was about the fans, though.They were phenomenal and really inspired the lads. Which players wouldn’t be inspired after support like that?”
Amidst a raucous atmosphere at Rochdale’s tidy Spotland Stadium, it was Oldham who enjoyed the better of the first period and they deservedly led at the interval. They struck in the 25th minute. Danny Philliskirk threaded a neat through-ball to Johnson, and though goalkeeper Conrad Logan saved an initial effort, the Aston Villa loanee followed up confidently to slot home his second goal for Oldham.
Rochdale threatened only sporadically. Matty Lund headed narrowly over, while Jamie Allen also went close.
After a slow start to the second period, Oldham produced a super flourish towards the end, eventually wrapping up their big win. They doubled their advantage in the 73rd minute from the penalty spot. Loanee Reuben Noble-Lazarus dragged back Philliskirk as the former Chelsea youngster surged into the box, and up stepped Jonathan Forte to slot home as he registered his 13th goal of the campaign.
And Johnson wrapped it up with another cool finish seven minutes later, after Philliskirk had again been the architect.
Deflated Rochdale boss Keith Hill said: “I was pleased with the majority of the performance but we are making mistakes on the pitch and if you make mistakes like we have then you will be punished.
“I can’t complain about the end result when I look at the mistakes we’ve made.
“But, equally so, referees makes mistakes – but they are not as culpable as me and the players.”