Oldham Athletic put in a dominant display as they beat Northampton Town 5-1 at SportsDirect.com Park.
Jack Byrne got Latics off to a great start as his cracker from 25 yards put Richie Wellens’ men ahead three minutes into the game.
Tope Obadeyi headed his and Athletic’s second goal of the game whilst before half time, Byrne notched a third as his deflected effort gave Athletic a comfortable half time lead.
Sam Foley pulled a goal back just after half time but goals from Gevaro Nepomuceno and substitute Craig Davies rounded off the result.
Manager Richie Wellens made three changes to the side which beat Bradford City midweek.
Ousmane Fane, Rob Hunt and Byrne returned to the side and the latter gave Latics a dream start.
The midfielder played a one-two with Rob Hunt on the edge of the box and he curled a pearler into the top corner to give Latics the lead.
Latics were on top and passed the ball around with confidence. Eoin Doyle was thwarted by the linesman’s flag and Dan Gardner had an effort saved by former Latics goalkeeper David Cornell.
Regan Poole curled a shot past Johny Placide’s goal whilst midway through the first half, he had to be alert to deny Ash Taylor from 25 yards.
Two minutes later, Latics doubled their lead through Obadeyi.
The attacker met a corner into the box from Byrne at the front post and nodded past Cornell to make it 2-0 to Latics.
David Buchanan was booked 10 minutes before the break and not long after, Gevaro Nepomuceno found himself in the book for a high boot.
With time running out in the first half, Latics did manage to find a third through Byrne.
He found space 18 yards from goal and his shot deflected beyond Cornell to give Latics a good cushion going into the second half.
However, two minutes into the half, Northampton Town pulled a goal back through Foley.
The midfielder capitalised on a defensive mistake and fired into an empty goal to reduce the arrears.
Northampton did put some pressure on the Latics defence but they did well to thwart their attack.
Placide claimed a low cross whilst he produced a stunning one-handed save to deny Matt Grimes from the edge of the box.
On the hour mark, Athletic got their fourth goal to seal the win through Nepomuceno.
It was great work between Byrne and Doyle to create the goal as the two exchanged a one-two which released the latter through on goal.
He attempted to chip Cornell who made the save but it fell into the path of Nepomuceno who bundled the ball over the line for his first goal of the season.
Latics were coasting and almost made it five on 67 minutes. Doyle met a Nepomuceno cross into the box but he volleyed inches wide of the post.
They did still have to be wary at the other end as Anthony Gerrard was forced into last ditch defending in front of his own goal.
Athletic were comfortable and played out the last 20 minutes of the game professionally.
They did even increase their lead in the final minute of additional time as substitutes Aaron Holloway and Davies combined.
Holloway fired in a cross to Davies at the back post and the striker fired into the top of the net to seal a comfortable win.
Oldham Athletic: Placide, Dummigan, Bryan, Gerrard, Hunt, Fane, Gardner, Nepomuceno (Davies 86’), Byrne (Amadi-Holloway 88’), Obadeyi (Flynn 77’), Doyle.
Subs not used: Wilson, Wilson, Green, Menig.
Northampton Town: Cornell, Moloney, Buchanan, Barnett, Taylor, Waters (Smith 66’), Foley, Long, Crooks, Poole (O’Toole 46’), Grimes.
Subs not used: Coddington, Richards, Pierre, McGivern, McGugan.
Goals: Oldham Athletic (Byrne 4’, 45’ Obadeyi 27’, Nepomuceno 60’, Davies 90+3) 5-1 Northampton Town (Foley 47’)
Attendance: 3,532 (332 visiting supporters)