Oldham Athletic v Everton
The FA Cup with Budweiser
Fifth Round Proper
6pm, Saturday 16 February 2013
Boundary Park, Oldham Athletic FC
Live on ITV1
Winning clubs receive £180,000 from The FA's Prize Fund
Click here for fixtures
By Nicholas Veevers
Leighton Baines is ready for a tough evening in Oldham on Saturday, as Everton aim to avoid being the second team from Merseyside to suffer at Boundary Park.
The England defender watched on last month as city rivals Liverpool were dumped out of The FA Cup against Oldham Athletic, moments before they were drawn out against David Moyes' side in the Fifth Round.
And having already tasted FA Cup defeat against the Latics in the Third Round at Goodison Park in 2008, Baines is more than aware of the challenge they face.
He told TheFA.com: “We saw what a tough game that they gave to Liverpool in the last round.
“We played them ourselves a few seasons back and they beat us, so we know what those Cup ties are all about.
“It’s just about getting through. Liverpool will have been aware of what they were in for as well.”
A brace from Oldham’s bustling striker Matt Smith and a second-half header from former England U20 defender Reece Wabara was enough to see them seal a memorable 3-2 win against Liverpool.
The League One outfit have since parted company with boss Paul Dickov, but with their Boundary Park home providing an advantage for Oldham, Baines knows Everton will need to be ready for the elements.
He added: “You know you’re going to be playing in difficult conditions and sometimes things don’t go for you, but we’ve just got to go there and be professional.
“You’ve got to make the right decisions and not get caught up in the different style of play which they’ll try and force on the game.
“We need to play our own game and if we can get the first goal then that can make a big difference.”
The tie also sees Baines and his team-mates up against a familiar face in the shape of Jose Baxter.
The former England youth striker was a rising star at Goodison Park, becoming their youngest first team debutant at the age of 16 in 2008 and beating Wayne Rooney’s record in the process.
But after leaving his hometown club at the end of last season, Baxter has since joined Oldham and Baines admits he was surprised to see the 21-year-old plying his trade in League One.
He said: “Jose’s a great kid and with no disrespect to Oldham, I expected to be playing against him in the Premier League by now.
“But I think it’s all credit to him that he’s signed for Oldham, because they gave him a chance when he didn’t have a club and that’s a great thing.
“At some point in the future, I’m sure he will be back in the Premier League because he’s got some real talent.”
