Mark Cooper frustrated as Forest Green fight back for late Oldham point

Posted Sunday, February 16, 2020 by PA

Mark Cooper was left frustrated that his Forest Green side were unable to turn possession into three points in a 1-1 Sky Bet League Two draw at Oldham.

George Williams marked only his second substitute appearance after recovering from a broken leg – sustained on the opening day of the season, also against Oldham – with a fine curling shot from 25 yards out in the 88th minute to secure a draw.

Rovers had claimed only a single point in their previous six league outings and – after Oldham’s Zak Dearnley had struck the crossbar in the first half – the visitors fell behind when Gevaro Nepomuceno’s shot squeezed through goalkeeper Lewis Thomas’ grasp.

Liam Kitching almost equalised with a header that clipped the crossbar from Williams’ free-kick, before the Wales international made his mark in a game Cooper felt his side bossed.

“We dominated the game from start to finish and we were outstanding, but you have to take your chances,” said Cooper. “The opportunities we got in and around the box to score goals – we have to be winning that game.

“I would say that we had at least 20 opportunities around the penalty area to produce a pass or cross that could lead to a goal. We looked back to what we do in terms of dominating the ball and pulling teams apart.

“Maybe it’s the lack of confidence with the way it’s been going that we haven’t finished them off.

“I’m so pleased for George. He’s had a terrible injury going back to the first game of the season, ironically against Oldham.

“It was a horrendous tackle. For him to come on and get the goal as he did, with a tremendous finish, I am really pleased for him.”

Oldham boss Dino Maamria felt his side contributed plenty to an entertaining contest, only to fall to suffer a late blow from Williams prior to Nepomuceno failing to convert a last-gasp winning goal deep into additional time.

“It’s really disappointing to have conceded the way that we did,” he said. “Despite the late possession they had, I felt we were comfortable enough.

“Sometimes, you have to take your hat off and their boy Williams has been injured all season but scored with an unbelievable finish from 25 yards out.

“We should have done better to stop the shot, but it was a great finish.

“It’s unbelievable we don’t win the game, with Gevaro’s chance in a one-on-one. It was brilliant build-up play and a great ball from Mohammed Maouche.

“Gevaro made the right decision to go around the goalkeeper and the ball just didn’t bounce right for him, which sums up our season.

“The little things are not going our way at the moment. Hopefully with a bit more positivity from everybody, we will get those things falling for us.

“Overall it was a good point for us following on from two losses.”