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Six-shooting Latics delight Sheridan

Fred Austin
27/12/2006

BOSS John Sheridan praised an "excellent" Oldham performance after the vicory over Rotherham.

Two goals from on-fire striker Chris Porter helped to make it six of the best for the in-form Latics.

After Saturday's 3-0 demolition of struggling Northampton, Oldham again showed their scoring skills to grab maximum points over Christmas with a 3-2 win over the Millers.

Sheridan said: "We controlled and dominated the first half and I was very comfortable at two goals up.

"Then we made it harder than it should have been. I told the lads at half-time that they would come at us and to stand up and be ready for the battle.

"Good players do the simple things well, we made it difficult for ourselves at times. But that should not take anything away from an excellent performance.

"We have to keep winning to stay with sides at the top and this is a vital stage of the season, but so far so good.

"Ports again looked a very good player. He is getting in the right place at the right time and deserves his reward.

Strike rate

"You can't argue with his strike rate but he still needs to add to his game. But he can go on to play at a higher level, hopefully with us."

Rotherham, with only one win in their previous seven outings, were again chasing a game after 29 minutes.

Winger Chris Taylor whipped in a perfect cross, and the well-positioned Porter took full advantage with a free header.

Oldham's second goal came three minutes before the break.

Veteran Andy Liddell floated over a corner for Will Haining to head in at the near post for his second goal of the season.

Eugene Bopp narrowed the gap with a shot from the edge of the box after 54 minutes.

Oldham, though, went further in front when they grabbed a third in the 67th minute.

A long ball out of defence from full-back Neal Eardley was chased by Porter, who neatly rolled his shot past the keeper for his 16th goal in 20 games.

But the Latics had to face a nervous finish when Will Hoskins pulled another goal back for Rotherham from the penalty spot nine minutes before the end after Simon Charlton had handled in the box.

Is Porter the best striker in League One? Have your say.