Oldham Survive FA Cup Scare

FA Cup first round: Gateshead 1-2 Oldham Athletic

Oldham Athletic survived an FA Cup scare as they secured their place in the second round with a 2-1 win away at National League North side Gateshead.

Oldham had been in good form going into the ties as they had been unbeaten in their previous three league matches. Gateshead were never going to be pushovers in this tie as they are fighting for promotion in the National League North and had won five of their previous six games. 

Goals from Filipe Morais and Jonny Smith on either side of a Liam Agnew leveller for the hosts were enough to ensure Oldham saw off their National League North contenders. 

Oldham were forced into an unwanted substitution early on as Christopher Missilou picked up a knock and he was replaced by Mohammed Maouche on the 12th minute.

It was the hosts who started brighter as they looked to take advantage of a big crowd as they forced Oldham goalkeeper Zeus De La Paz into a great save early on. Nicky Deverdics had a shot from range which was on course to get the net rippling, but the keeper saved well. And in the 27th minute, Gateshead had a dangerous freekick as Greg Olley dispatched a curling effort but again De La Paz saved well. 

On the 28th minute, Oldham showed their quality as they took the lead against the run of play. Tom Hamer’s long throw was flicked on to Filipe Morais who headed it past Brad James to open the scoring and give the 722 away fans something to cheer about. 

In the second half, it was Oldham who started the better of the two teams and they came close to doubling their lead in the 51st minute. A corner from Jonny Smith found Chris McCann who saw his effort brilliantly saved by Gateshead stopper Brad James.

In the 53rd minute, Gateshead were level thanks to a precisely-placed low drilled effort from Liam Agnew, which squeezed inside Zeus de la Paz's right-hand post.

Jonny Smith would get the decisive goal for Oldham in the 77th minute as he drove into the box and cut inside onto his left foot and curled the ball into the bottom left corner leaving the keeper with no chance. 

Oldham survived a goalmouth scramble in the sixth minute of time added on but held firm to ensure their place in the hat for the second round.

Oldham head-coach Dino Maamria said after the game: "The most important thing in the FA Cup is to go through. It is usual playing a team two divisions below you, with a point to prove who raise their level for a FA Cup game.

"We got the game we expected to get, very tough and I am glad we got through in the end."

Photos By: Eddie Garvey