Manchester United Res 2-1 Oldham Athletic Res
Stu Vose at Victoria Park
Latics went down to a narrow defeat against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Manchester United side in a keenly-contested Manchester Senior Cup fixture at Northwich Victoria.
Lewis Alessandra gave the visitors an early lead with a neat finish, but the home side stormed back to grab a one-goal lead by the break.
Despite an encouraging second-half performance, Lee Duxbury's side couldn't carve out many clear-cut chances, although watching boss John Sheridan will be pleased the more senior players could get another 90 minutes of match action.
Things looked good for Athletic when Alessandra handed them the lead after just three minutes, latching on to a cross from the right and firing beyond Ben Foster from 12 yards out.
JP Kalala came close with a blast from the edge of the box as the experienced visitors looked to press home their advantage, but Matthew James earned the Red Devils an equaliser when he steered a perfectly-angled header past Greg Fleming from Tom Cleverley's free-kick.
The goal gave United added impetus, and they threatened again after 18 minutes when Cameron Stewart profited from good interplay but shot wide.
However, the second strike the Red Devils were looking for did eventually come just before the half-hour courtesy of striker Sam Hewson, who arrowed an unstoppable rising effort past Fleming and into the top corner from fully 25 yards.
Hewson was causing a nuisance of himself and would have carved out a third goal had Fleming not rushed out to bravely block with his body and keep the danger at bay.
Athletic's only other chance of the first half came via the boot of Chris O'Grady, who forced a superb save from Foster after swivelling in a rain-soaked box to smash a powerful shot goalwards.
United's James forced Fleming to parry an awkward effort away just two minutes into the second half, although Athletic responded when Deane Smalley crashed a determined drive inches over the top from 20 yards.
Athletic couldn't generate any further chances barring an off-target header from John Thompson and a cross from Lewis Alessandra which dropped just short of Deane Smalley.
Meanwhile at the other end Dale Stephens prevented United from notching a third with an exquisitely-timed tackle to shut down Federico Macheda.
Latics Res: Fleming (Rose, 74), Lee, Dawson, Kalala, Thompson, Stephens, Smalley, Maher, O'Grady, Alessandra, Kilcourse.
Subs Not Used: Eaves, Bell, Brooke, Esdaile-Biney.
Booked: None.
Sent Off: None.
Scorers: Alessandra (3)
Man Utd Res: Foster, Eckersley, Gill, Gray, Wootton, James, Stewart, Cleverley, Macheda, Hewson, Derbyshire (Eikrem, 46).
Subs Not Used: Bryan, Zieler, Norwood, Strickland.
Booked: None.
Sent Off: None.
Scorers: James (13), Hewson (28)
Referee: Mr M Astley
Assistant: Mr N Gibbons
Assistant: Mr J Hayes
Fourth Official: Mr S Osiadacz
