CITY 3 OLDHAM ATHLETIC 1

Friendly

9th August 1985

Attendance 4,390

Scorers
City McNab(4), Lillis(42), McIlroy(64)
Oldham Quinn(70)

City Williams, May, Power, Clements, McCarthy, Phillips, Lillis, Kinsey, McIlroy, McNab, Simpson – used subs Nixon(69), Barrett(69), Johnson(69), Wilson(65), Beckford(87), Tolmie(55)

FROM THE PRESS BOX

PETER GARDNER WRITING IN THE MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS 10TH AUGUST 1985
… McNab set the seal on his claim for recognition in last night’s Maine Road victory over Oldham Athletic when City won 3-1 watched by a crowd of 4,390.
McNab scored the first goal, set up the third for Sammy McIlroy and in between saved a certain Latics strike at the other end with a timely goal-line clearance.
Overall, the entire team gave their best display of the five games they have played and McNeill claimed: “We looked a division ahead of Oldham and, although the season ahead is fraught with difficulties, I believe we could well surprise a team or two.”
McNeill took the opportunity to give all his available players a run with only Jim Melrose, Nicky Reid, Graham Baker and Gordon Smith not featuring at some stage.
Melrose and Reid are injured with Baker and Smith recovering from injury and illness.
Oldham boss Joe Royle switched his side considerably with Mark Ward and Tony Henry looking his most impressive performers.
Darren McDonough and Gary Hoolickin were uncompromising at the back but had no answer to McNab as he broke the deadlock after five minutes.
Mark Lillis struck three minutes from half-time and McIlroy toched in a McNab cross for the third.
Mike Quinn replied for Oldham six minutes later with substitute goalkeeper Eric Nixon’s first touch of the ball seeing him pick it out of the net within seconds of his introduction.
Earl Barrett again impressed and seems certain to start the season with Nigel Johnson and Kenny Clements the central defenders…