League Two: Oldham Athletic 5 - 5 Forest Green Rovers
Oldham Athletic fought back from 4-1 down to secure a 5-5 draw against League Two leaders Forest Green.
Rovers are still unbeaten on the road this term, while the hosts remain in the drop zone despite the fightback.
In front of a sparse Boundary Park crowd due to ongoing fan protests against the ownership, Oldham took the lead when Davis Keillor-Dunn smashed into the top corner from 30 yards.
However, Rovers replied swiftly when Jack Aitchison tucked home from eight yards after meeting a pass from Kane Wilson. They went in front when Mathew Stevens played in Jamille Matt, and he neatly slotted in his fourth goal in three games.
Matt then headed home Nicky Cadden's cross just before the end of the first 45 minutes. It was 4-1not long after the restart when Stevens converted another Wilson cross before Oldham reduced the deficit when substitute Hallam Hope converted Dylan Bahamboula's through-ball.
Keillor-Dunn volleyed home to make it 4-3 before Stevens scored again to make it 5-3. The goals kept on coming as Jack Stobbs fired in from 20 yards to make it 5-4, before Wilson could only bundle Stobbs' cross into his own net to even the scores again and earn Oldham a point.
More reaction
Oldham Athletic caretaker head coach Selim Benachour told the media after the match:
"My players gave absolutely everything to get back in the game. They just never gave up. At 4-1 behind, we were in a difficult situation, but we continued to fight and fight and in the end we got a point.
"All the players showed lots of character, and hopefully that will give them all some additional confidence heading into the next few games.
"We could even have gone on to win, but we have to settle for a draw. It was the craziest game, but I certainly never gave up on the touchline."
🗣️ An eventful afternoon for the Interim Head Coach. #oafc
— Oldham Athletic (@OfficialOAFC) December 11, 2021
Forest Green Rovers manager Rob Edwards added:
"That's a real freak result, after what was a freak game. Credit to Oldham, they never gave in and I really don't know where that comeback came from. We didn't defend well enough at times. We gifted Oldham at least one or two goals and that's given them the belief.
"When we were 4-1 up, we should have seen the game out. It's up to me to look back at the game and pick the bones out of it.
"It will take a long time to do that, but at least we didn't lose the game. Perhaps that was the most important thing."
More on the fan protests
A number of Oldham fans refused to go into the ground as they displayed a powerful message against the running of the club.
❌ EMPTY THE PARK
— Push The Boundary (@PTB_OAFC) December 8, 2021
This Saturday is our “Empty the Park” action and we urge as many of you as possible to avoid the game and take a stand against this regime. Please spread the word!
🗓 Sat 11th Dec
🆚 Forest Green Rovers
#oafc pic.twitter.com/9KzcYXBkDp
One Oldham fan tweeted before the match: "I've been a Latics supporter for 50 years and an Oldham Athletic season ticket holder for the last 30. However, I won't be attending today as a protest against the disastrous ownership of Abdallah Lemsagam. #OAFC #EmptyThePark #SaveOAFC."
