Latics complete pre-season unbeaten
Cristian Montano's red-hot scoring streak continued as Latics completed their pre-season preparations unbeaten following a 3-2 victory against Huddersfield Town.
The winger scored twice to make it four goals in Latics’ warm-up matches as they extended their run to five games without defeat.
"Cristian has come back flying. He returned fit which was a big thing because I don’t think he had a pre-season last year. And he has also bought into what we are doing here," explained manager Lee Johnson.
This was by far their best display against opposition from the SkyBet Championship, especially the character shown in battling back from a 2-1 deficit.
Johnson continued: "I think the beauty of this squad is that we are all in it together and trust each other.
"We can also change the game from the bench, something Oldham haven’t been able to do as much in previous years.
"The options I have up front are almost embarrassing because I like them all and want to play them all. It is a shame I cannot and maybe I can find a new formation when we can play all five."
Johnson was delighted with his latest win declaring his side is ready for the season’s start at Stevenage next Saturday.
He said: "We are ready, though ideally we would have brought in one more player.
"I trust the group of players. I am looking forward to the season and believe we can shake up the division and also score goals."
Johnson described it as an excellent workout saying there were good and bad bits to dissect from the 90 minutes.
He was pleased with the quality of his team's attacking play but admitted they were exposed aerially at the back.
James Wesolowski was ruled out through injury while Sidney Schmeltz dropped down to the bench, the two changes from the side which kicked off at Accrington in midweek as Charlie MacDonald and James Dayton won starting spots.
Latics went ahead midway through the opening half through a Jose Baxter penalty.
It was awarded when Baxter released Adam Rooney with an exquisite pass and he was tripped by left-back Paul Dixon.
The only surprise was that it was the only goal of an excellent opening half in which both sides squandered chances.
Huddersfield hit back midway through the second half with two goals in a three-minute spell.
Substitute Cristian Lopez headed the equaliser and Martin Patterson slid in at the far post to score the second.
Latics made it 2-2 in the 71st minute when Montano found the net. Baxter’s free kick deflected off the defensive wall and the winger hooked in a terrific shot from the far edge of the penalty area.
Montano struck again scoring the winner in the 76th minute when substitute Jonson Clarke-Harris threaded a delightful through ball to the winger who burst down the middle to slot home.
Late in the game Oxley made two saves each time denying Danny Ward, the second a spectacular flying effort as Latics held on to claim the scalp of the Terriers.
Team (4-4-1-1): Oxley; Brown, Tarkowski, Mellor (Byrne 69), Grounds; Dayton (Schmeltz 74), Smith, Baxter (Gosset 84), Montano; MacDonald (Clarke-Harris 62); Rooney (Mllar 76). Subs (not used): Joksts, Simpson, Cooper, Truelove.
Attendance: 1,661 (406 visitors).