SHERIDAN’S HAPPY TO MAKE POINT
JOHN Sheridan was content with a clean sheet as his sixth stint in charge of Oldham began with a dour draw against derby rivals Rochdale.
His side remain in desperate trouble in the drop zone after a ninth game without a win at the beginning of his fourth reign as permanent boss at Boundary Park, but Sheridan took comfort from the clean sheet and point.
Following a 23-minute delay due to a fan medical emergency early in the game, it was Oldham who created the first chance when Sam Hart saw a fizzing effort blocked following a neat pass from Alex Hunt.
At the other end Max Clark drilled over from a tight angle as he met George Broadbent’s through ball.
Aside from that there was little goalmouth action in a wind-affected first period.
Clark almost struck shortly after the restart when he just failed to convert Corey O’Keeffe’s cross, while Alex Newby glanced a header wide.
The hosts struggled to make inroads towards the latter stages, and Rochdale’s Conor Grant blazed over when he ought to have done better.
Dylan Bahamboula headed off target late on and it proved a disappointing day for Oldham.
Sheridan said: “We’ll take a point, and more importantly I’m pleased with a clean sheet.
“The conditions weren’t great for either team, and actually
Rochdale seemed to cope better and passed the ball better than us.
“We didn’t affect the game enough, but I thought the attitude was good. We just have to try and take what plusses we can from the game.
“It was an unbelievable turnout from the supporters, but we just didn’t do enough to get them going and that’s a disappointment.”
Rochdale probably had the better of the game, offering encouragement to boss Robbie Stockdale despite his side having now won just once in their last nine games.
Stockdale said: “I’m not really pleased with a point if I’m honest. The conditions were difficult though, and that proved a bit of a leveller.
“I’m not happy with a point, but at least we secured a clean sheet. We were the better team, certainly in the second half, so I I’m frustrated, but at this point I feel we can only get better.”
Stockdale wouldn’t use the first half medical emergency in the crowd – and subsequent 23-minute delay – as an excuse.
He added: “All our best wishes got to the chap who was ill of course, and I’m glad I hear he’s feeling better, but that did disrupt the flow of the game.
“There were flares going on the pitch and a few objects, but it’s a big derby game and these things go on.”