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O'Grady off the mark

Gavin Browne
24/ 7/2008

CHRIS O'Grady's first goal for the club helped Latics earn a 1-1 draw against Derby County at Boundary Park on Wednesday night.

The striker netted from close range midway through the first half, cancelling out Emmanuel Villa's 16th minute opener.

All in all, it was a useful workout for John Sheridan's team against a much revamped Rams side as both teams kept the ball well without ever fashioning many clear cut chances.

Craig Davies fired off target in the opening 10 minutes before Derby took the lead when Sean Gregan inexplicably left a cross alone, allowing the ball to run through to Villa who fired past Mark Crossley from six yards.

The equaliser was quick in coming though as Craig Davies got free on the right-hand side of the penalty area before crossing for O'Grady who fired into the roof of the net.

Reuben Hazell's last-ditch clearance prevented Villa from converting Jay McEveley's cross before the break, after which both sides made a series of changes.

That allowed the home fans to have a look at new signing Kevin Maher, one of six half-time substitutions by Sheridan.

The former Southend United skipper made his presence felt, keeping things nice and tidy with the ball and not shy to order his team-mates about.

Lee Hughes thought he should have had a penalty when he appeared to have been held in the area by Martin Albrechtsen before heading Chris Taylor's cross wide.

Former Tranmere Rovers man Steve Davies came closest for the visitors, sending one effort wide of Greg Fleming's post before firing high, wide and not very handsome after Liam Dickinson had beaten Fleming to the ball before cutting it back to the youngster.

Oldham Athletic: Crossley, Eardley, Gregan, Hazell, Taylor, Liddell, Allott, Whitaker, Phillips, Craig Davies, O'Grady.
Substitutes: Fleming, Stam, Lomax, Smalley, Maher, Stephens, Hughes

Attendance: 1,745

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