Oldham Athletic beat Fleetwood Town 2-0 in a behind-closed-doors friendly this afternoon at Chapel Road.
Youth team striker Brad Kay put Latics ahead in the first half, following up close range after Carl Winchester’s fierce strike was parried by the goalkeeper.Latics made it 2-0 in the second half after Jamie Stott forced a smart save from the goalkeeper but this time Brendy Glackin was on hand to follow up and head home.
Speaking about the game, assistant boss Ian Baraclough said: “We need to keep those players who haven’t played much in the first team bright, fresh and sharp.
“It is imperative that they get game time under their belt so that if they are asked to go in or needed to go into the first team then they are ready both mentally and physically.
“We played a very strong Fleetwood Town team and it was a good exercise. The result is irrelevant, but it’s nice for the defenders and goalkeeper to come away with a clean sheet.
“It’s also pleasing that young players have been integrated in the group and it’s good for both youth strikers to get on the scoresheet which will improve their development.
“The game was played in the right manner in terms of it meaning something, rather than a mess around. There was real competitiveness and it was a good exercise for both teams.”
Starting 11: O’Neill, Mantack, Stott, Edmundson, Brown, Croft, Woodland, Winchester, McLaughlin, Glackin, Kay.