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Frustration at sloppy finish

Gavin Browne
28/ 4/2008

OLDHAM coach Steve Deakin cut a frustrated figure after watching his side gift Rochdale Hornets a bonus point in Sunday's Co-operative National League One game at Boundary Park.

From a position of strength at 24-4, Oldham conceded two late tries which allowed the visitors to depart with something for their efforts following a stormy derby.

An upset Deakin had plenty of targets at the conclusion with his own players and the small group of journalists coming under fire during his post-match press conference.

Disappointment at his squad might have been expected, but Deakin turned his fire on the media when asked about the officials' display after a game of numerous penalties.

He said: "I'm not going to comment about the officials, those are between me and the people who look after them.

"What I would say is put your balls on the line - you people watched the game, watched their performances, you people front up from time to time instead of putting a coach's head in the noose. Let's pass the buck to you for once."

"It's massively frustrating; 24-4 up with 12 minutes to go, they haven't got a hope in hell's chance of a bonus point and we gifted it to them.

"At 66, 67 minutes and 24-4 up, we didn't have to score again - we didn't need to score, we needed to be smart enough to see the game out but we didn't do it. I know what we did but why is another thing."

However, Deakin was able to praise some of his players for the victory, secured by tries from Rob Roberts, Tommy Goulden and Danny Halliwell, plus six goals from Mick Nanyn. Roberts led from the front and was a deserved man-of-the-match during a game in which the Oldham forwards stood out.

Deakin said: "I thought he (Roberts) was outstanding, the biggest influence on the game, Said Tamghart and Adam Robinson gave us solid games. I thought the pack played well, it was out in the backs where we were a bit scratchy."