ZACH’S BACK ON THE GOAL TRACK
PHIL PARKINSON heaped praise on match-winner Zach Clough after his two goals helped Bolton climb to third in League One.
The lively 21-year-old netted in both halves to register his first strikes of the season.
A perfectly-placed free-kick opened the scoring early against a determined Oldham side and after the break, he fired home a rebound after Stephen Robinson’s side failed to deal with a corner kick.
“I am pleased for Zach and you need your big players to produce moments in games,” said Parkinson, following a third straight victory in all competitions, all of which have featured clean sheets.
“He certainly did that. The free-kick was outstanding. It was very close to the 18-yard line and those are difficult to get up and down. It was a great piece of skill and a reward for the work he has been doing in training.”
Oldham mainly threatened from long range – Carl Winchester fired off-target three times as the visitors exerted pressure – and the Wanderers boss was grateful for the three points in a derby against durable opponents.
“Despite having the win last week, there is always that pressure coming in to a home game, but we handled it really well and it was a very solid team performance,” he added.
“We knew we had to play well as Oldham have a very good away record that goes back to last year and had a terrific win at Gillingham last week.”
Clough’s opener came from a free-kick that was disputed by Oldham’s manager, leaving goalkeeper Connor Ripley rooted to the spot.
Ripley then saved well from David Wheater’s header and quite brilliantly with his feet as Sammy Ameobi broke through.
Lee Erwin’s deflected effort travelled a whisker wide for Oldham in the first half and Paul Green was denied by Mark Howard in the second half from close range, with the follow-up effort from Freddie Ladapo foiled as the home goalkeeper dived at his feet.
Clough made the most of Oldham’s inability to deal with a corner kick and the visiting manager was left disappointed after suffering defeat on the road in the league for the first time since the opening day at Millwall.
“There was nothing in the game and I don’t know where the referee saw the free-kick from,” said Robinson, referring to Clough’s 10th-minute opener which came after Green was penalised for a tackle on Gary Madine by ref Carl Boyeson. “From then on decision after decision went against us. “They have a difficult job and I understand that. But it’s amazing how many times he gave little decisions for them that swayed the game. “The boys dug in and showed an unbelievable amount of character, backed by our fans who were terrific. “We were caught by a referee’s decision and then a set play, which was an individual error from Cameron Burgess, who is a young boy who has to pick himself up. As a collective, they have to be stronger physically and mentally.”