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Bosses with plenty to grumble about

Gavin Browne
3/ 3/2008

BOTH managers were unhappy after Latics exited Vale Park with a 3-0 win, giving them only their fourth league win in 34 visits to Burslem.

While home manager Lee Sinnott was left to rage about some of the officiating, Oldham boss John Sheridan was unhappy with his players' Jekyll and Hyde display.

Despite winning by three goals, Sheridan was dismayed by a second-half display which saw Athletic cede the initiative to their hosts despite having led at half-time through Jordan Robertson's goal.

He said: "The most important thing is we tried to win the game and we did. I'm happy with the result but not the performance because I don't think we played well.

"First half, we looked comfortable and would have created opportunities had we taken care of the ball better, but second half, we didn't play well, we rode our luck and Mark's (Crossley) made one or two saves, but he's been involved too much.

"I think the scoreline's a bit flattering because our performance wasn't good enough. With no disrespect to Port Vale, they were there for the taking (at 1-0) and we let them back into the game."

Sinnott was unhappy with the display of referee Graham Horwood and his assistants after their 10th home defeat of the season. Robertson's opener was under scrutiny for possible offside before a contentious decision saw Mr Horwood rule George Pilkington had deliberately passed the ball back to Joe Anyon after the keeper picked the ball up eight yards out.

Neal Eardley's goal from the resultant free kick further blackened the mood among the home fans and left the manager seething with the referee.

Sinnott said: "The players are disappointed with his interpretations of major decisions. If they aren't getting them right it's going to cause us a problem, but it's another normal day at the office for Port Vale.

"I thought we did improve second half but things haven't gone our way for a few months. I think that game epitomises Port Vale's season.

"There's nothing much I can say to my players after that performance. The incidents and decisions didn't go our way."