Preview: Oldham Athletic v Barrow

3 September 2021

Take a look at everything you need to know ahead of Saturday's game in our full and in-depth preview of the trip to Boundary Park.

Oldham Athletic v Barrow
Saturday 4^th September 2021, 3pm
Boundary Park
Sky Bet League Two

In Opposition
After a relatively slow start to the new campaign, Oldham Athletic seem to have clicked into gear over the past week and registered confidence boosting back-to-back wins.

Keith Curle’s men lost each of their first four League Two fixtures but victory at Sutton United last weekend got them off the mark and they backed that up with a Papa John’s Trophy win over Salford City in midweek.

The Latics will be keen to keep on building that momentum as they look to improve on last term’s 18^th-place finish in League Two during Curle’s first full season in charge at Boundary Park.

One To Watch
Experienced defender Carl Piergianni has been an ever-present for The Latics this term and the dominant centre-back has been in typically solid form.

The 29-year-old joined Oldham permanently last summer following a loan spell from Salford City where he all-action style had made him a big favourite with supporters.

Piergianni is a strong and committed defender who loves the physical battle and is also capable of chipping in with goals, as highlighted by the fact he has scored in each of his last two games.

Head To Head
This weekend will see the clubs meet for a 53^rd time, with Barrow having enjoyed 25 wins in the fixture in comparison to Oldham’s 22 victories.

Last season, both meetings went in the favour of the away side – Scott Quigley’s late winner at Boundary Park proving particularly important as The Bluebirds went on to steer clear of the bottom two.

Referee
Carl Boyeson will take charge of his first Barrow game of the season this weekend when he presides over our meeting with Oldham Athletic at Boundary Park.

The experienced official is now into his 20^th season as a Football League referee and last saw The Bluebirds in action during the 2-0 win over Mansfield Town in March.

Boyeson has overseen two League One fixtures so far this term, with his most recent appointment coming a fortnight ago when he watched Doncater Rovers’ goalless draw with Portsmouth.

Tickets
Tickets for Saturday’s game are on sale online from the Oldham Athletic ticket portal and fans can make a saving by buying in advance.

There will also be cash turnstiles in operation for away fans prior to kick-off at Boundary Park on Saturday.

Click here for all the information you need on tickets for the game.

Live Streaming
Due to there being an international break this weekend, restrictions around Saturday afternoon broadcasts have been lifted so we can live stream the game on iFollow.

Every Barrow fan who snaps up a Video Match Pass for £10 will also be helping The Bluebirds because all net profit is returned to the Club that sold the pass.

Click here now to get your Video Match Pass to enjoy the game on iFollow.

Live Commentary
We will be providing live online audio commentary from every game this season as we continue our link-up with BBC Radio Cumbria.

Fans will be able to listen to expert Bluebirds commentator Adam Johnson, who will be joined by Mark Boyd for full coverage of Saturday’s game at Boundary Park.

You can purchase an Audio Match Pass for £2.50, an Audio Monthly Pass for £4.49 or sign-up for Audio Season Pass which provides all live commentary and video news for just £45.

Click here now to subscribe to iFollow.

Betting
Oldham Athletic have been installed as 8/5 favourites for three points this weekend, with Barrow rated a 13/8 shot and the draw priced up at 11/5 with our friends at Sky Bet.

Click here now to take a look at a full list of markets ahead of Saturday’s game.

Match Reports

Barrow Turn On The Style At Oldham

4 September 2021

A photograph of Barrow — Offrande Zanzala celebrates his goal for Barrow at Boundary Park

Barrow turned on the style to claim their first away win of the new campaign as they swept Oldham Athletic aside with a fine display at Boundary Park on Saturday.

Mark Cooper’s men were the better side from the off and took a first half lead through Ollie Banks early on before two quick goals from Offrande Zanzala and Joe Grayson early in the second half sealed the deal.

It was Barrow who set the tone from the first whistle and pushed their hosts on to the back foot in the opening minutes with a series of deliveries into the box testing The Latics’ rear-guard.

Josh Gordon came close to capitalising on the confident start when he turned sharply on a ball in to him just inside the area but his effort towards the far post just didn’t curl enough to find the net.

A lovely move down the right provided another opportunity for Gordon moments later as he got on to a cross at the front post to glance a header on goal which flashed just wide of the back post as Patrick Brough stretched to try and get a decisive touch.

The pressure told right on 15 minutes when Ollie Banks picked up possession 25 yards out and dropped on to his right foot to hit a crisp low drive which flew past keeper Jayson Leutwiler and into the bottom left corner of the net.

The home side started to come into the game as it wore on and Paul Farman had to make an excellent save to his left to keep out Jamie Bowden’s firm header after good work from the dangerous Dylan Fage on the right.

Alan Sheehan brough a magnificent save from the Bluebirds keeper in first half injury time when his 25-yard free kick crept over the wall and looked set for the top left corner before a full length intervention from Farman.

The second half got off to a dream start for The Bluebirds when the ball broke on the left for Offrande Zanzala and he skilfully glided past two defenders before sending a low finish across Leutwiler for 2-0.

There was less than an hour on the clock when the visiting fans were in raptures once again as Joe Grayson’s whipped free kick from the right bypassed everyone in the middle and flew straight intp the net for a third Barrow goal.

Oldham fans then forced a short stoppage to the game when a small number invaded the pitch and sat in the centre circle to lead protests against the club’s ownership.

However, the game restarted after a few minutes though Barrow’s work was done, and they controlled much of the closing half hour with boss Cooper able to bring on fresh legs in Tom White and Josh Kay.

The Bluebirds could even have increased their lead when Gordon first nodded over a Brough cross from the left before glancing wide from a Brough corner late on.

Full Time: Oldham Athletic 0 Barrow 3

Oldham Athletic: Leutwiler, Piergianni, Adams, Whelan (Keillor-Dunn 46), Hope, Fage, Jameson, Bowden, Bettache, Luamba (Vaughan 73), Sheehan (Diarra 57).
Subs not used: Danielewicz, Dearnley, Da Silva, Couto.

Barrow: Farman, Hutton, J Jones, Grayson, Brough, Taylor, Gotts (White 78), Banks, Stevens (Arthur 92), Zanzala (Kay 83), Gordon.
Subs not used: Lillis, Moloney.

Booked: Grayson.

Attendance: 4,232 (474 Barrow)

Ticket News

Ticket Information: Oldham Athletic (A)

4 September 2021

Take a look at all the ticket details you need if you want to follow The Bluebirds in action at Boundary Park on Saturday 4th September (3pm kick-off).

Mark Cooper’s men return to League Two action against Oldham Athletic this weekend and Barrow fans can make a small saving by buying tickets online in advance.

Up to 3,500 unreserved, covered, all-seated tickets are on sale to away supporters at Boundary Park and they are available to purchase now from The Latics’ online tickets portal.

Bluebirds fans who buy online will receive an e-ticket that can be scanned directly from their devices at the turnstiles or printed out at home.

Click here to buy your tickets online right now.

There will also be cash turnstiles in operation prior to kick-off on the day of the game but prices will be increased by £2 across the board on those listed below.

Prices
Adults - £18
Over 65s - £8
Under 21s - £8
Under 18s - £5

Wheelchair and ambulant disabled supporters will pay as per their relevant age category, with a free carer’s ticket issued to those on higher/enhanced rate PIP and relevant documentation. These tickets can be purchased on the day at Boundary Park but at the advance price.

Parking
Away fans are advised to part in the Elk Mill Retail car park which is a five-minute walk from Boundary Park. There is no charge for parking there apart from directly in front of the DW Sport Gym where there is a two-hour limit.

There is no facility for away fans to park on-site, apart from a limited number of spaces for disabled supporters marked out next to The Chadderton Road End in the North Stand car park. These spaces are available on a first come, first served basis and are charged at a price of £5.

Coach Travel
The Bluebirds Trust are once again organising coach travel for Saturday’s game at Oldham Athletic and are welcoming bookings right now.

Click here for more information.