Someone said to me before the match, that the Blues will set a Club record if we beat Oldham, in that we would have gone nine straight wins in Cup matches this season (Five in UEFA, Three In Carling Cup). Well that was the kiss of death for us, and Everton surrendered to a determined Oldham side intent on frustrating the Blues, and serving up a shock. A shock indeed, as only the shite, manure and The Arse have turned us over in our own yard this season, and much was made of Moyesy's team selection for this one. I for one don't buy into that argument, as in Tommy Grav, Faddy, Andy Johnson and Lee Carsley we had players with an abundance of International experience. In Stubbsey, Leighton Baines, Hibbo, Peanuts and alike we had an abundance of Premiership experience, and that team Moyesy selected yesterday should comfortably have seen Oldham off.

What was missing though was any skill, craft and guile from the normally reliable Blues, but sometimes you know its not going to be your day, and as early as the first few minutes, Vaughny squandered a golden chance to put the Blues one up. After that miss, Faddy went close, as did Harry Hill, but as the minutes ticked by, Oldham's confidence grew and grew. Their travelling support of seven odd thousand were magnificent, they never shut up all match, as our two End's on the main fell silent. Crossley in the Latic's goal hardly had a save to make all match, but maybe a hint of arrogance on our behalf, we thought a goal will come sooner or later, as this season they generally have done.

On the stroke of half time Gary McDonald let fly from twenty odd yards and Kepler watched it go in over his head. The German keeper may need to ask a few questions of himself as his early season promise was sadly lacking in this game, and especially with the goal he conceded. Half time came, and still as we supped our Chang's, we thought the goal was a minor blip, and instead of a 3-0 win that my coupon proudly displayed, a 3-1 score line would now be the outcome.

Oldham's tactics and rightly so in the second period was backs to the wall, and when a break came for them, keep possession, and this they did superbly. Everton's midfield was by passed as the long ball became the order of the day. Peanuts in fairness was the only one out there giving it a go in the middle, but whenever Stubbsey or The Jag got the ball, the boys in the middle were generally over looked as Everton's desperation for an equaliser become more acute.

The Yak and Big Vic were given a run out, as Moyesy went for all out attack. For all our huffing and puffing however, Crossley in the visitors goal was untroubled apart form the odd cross to deal with. Oldham's travelling support grew more vocal, as we just got more frustrated, and in the dying seconds The Yak who would have normally burst the net, watched his tame shot come back of the foot of the post.

It was all over, and I for one applauded Oldham as they came over to cheer their superb support. They did a job on us, its as simple as that, and credit to them. Obviously its disappointing going out at the first hurdle, more disappointing at Goodison, and to lowly opposition. We still have a lot to look forward to though, and as much as we were pissed off, normally at this stage of the season, our only thoughts are how high can we finish in the League. A Semi Final awaits us on Tuesday. Our next match in Europe is still four weeks away. Sixth in the League, three points of fourth spot, so lets put this down to one of those days, as in football they do happen from time to time, just ask Blackburn, Birmingham, Bolton and Sunderland. We are out the FA Cup admittedly, but thank God unlike the teams I have just mentioned our season is a long way from being over.

Full Time: Blues 0 Oldham 1

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Bluekipper Lounge Members are urged to get down to the Bluekipper Lounge early, as Everton Legend Duncan McKenzie will be on the pallets at 1pm, prior to our FA Cup 3rd Round Match against Oldham. The original Dunc signed for the Blues from Anderlecht in 1976. One of football's great showmen Duncan left the Blues in 1978, but in his time he played 61 times in the Royal Blue netting twenty one goals. As they say once Everton has touched you, nothing is the same, and Duncan for many years now has been a Blue through and through. 'We all agree Duncan McKenzie is magic, We all agree Duncan McKenzie is magic, We all agree .........' (14/01/08)