Oldham Athletic v Harrogate Town

The Head Coach
KEITH CURLE
The win at Rochdale last weekend meant so much to everyone connected
with the club and as a squad we want to make sure there are more moments
like that to come during the months ahead.
It has been a tough start to the
season for a variety of reasons but the
emotions we saw at Spotland served as
a reminder of why we all love following
our team and the joys that a special win
can bring.
I was enormously proud of our
performance last Saturday and
the players deserve huge credit for
overcoming the recent difficulties
to achieve the result with such a
determined, well-drilled display.
Derby games always require a big show
of character and our battling qualities
out on the pitch, allied with the passion
in the away stand, meant we saw
everything that is good about being
associated with Oldham Athletic.
We always knew we would have to
spend periods of the game without the
ball but our intention was to make sure
we capitalised on our play in key areas
of the pitch.
To that end, we could not have asked for
a better winning goal, as Davis Keillor-
Dunn showed his capabilities with a
goal of real class midway through the
second half.
Like most players in the squad, Davis has
taken time to find his feet this campaign
but his natural talent is something we
all saw last year and I am confident he
will excel once again after opening his
account for the season.
Davis will be a key player for us this
campaign, as will Harrison McGahey,
who showed all the qualities I expected
on his debut in the centre of the
defence. It is unfortunate that Harrison’s
start to life in an Oldham shirt had been
delayed but his performance last week
was a crucial feature in our resolute
showing as a team.
On his first league start, Benny Couto
also impressed, displaying a maturity
that belied his 18 years, and having been
a great addition to the first team squad
in recent weeks, I am very excited about
what he has got to offer going forward.
With the win at Rochdale coming on
the back of a draw against Hartepool,
it is vital we now look to build on our
last two league results. Today will be a
difficult test against an upwardly mobile
Harrogate, who have enjoyed an excellent
start to the season and have won many
admirers since their promotion to Sky Bet
League Two last year.
We know there is still a lot of work to do
as we look to climb the table but the last
week has given us all a taste of what
could potentially lie ahead. As a group,
we are committed to making sure things
change for the better and with your
continued support I am sure we have got
what it takes to properly kick on.
Enjoy the game!
Keith
oldhamathletic.co.uk | @OfficialOAFC 5