Oldham Athletic progressed into the Second Round of the FA Youth Cup after a comfortable victory over Altrincham with Max Norman grabbing a hat trick and further goal from Harry Norris, Jack Williams and Ryan Pickford.
Dontani Gabidoni did have a consolation goal for the hosts, but the Latics youngsters had too much quality on the night.
After coming under some early pressure from the home side, Latics made the perfect start as Harry Robinson slid in Norman who slotted it into the back of the net.
The lead was doubled shortly after as Dec Baldwin’s corner found the head of Captain Norris who headed it into the bottom corner.
16-year-old Williams forced a save from Oliver Culkin in the Altrincham goal, before Williams turned provider to Ryan Scholes-Beard who’s shot was blocked right in front of goal.
The hosts did have a good chance as Gabidon found himself running through on goal, but Latics goalkeeper Ellis Allen was quick off he line to smoother the shot.
Culkin then produced a fantastic double save to deny Robinson and then Baldwin’s fierce strike from the rebound, tipping the young Latics midfielder’s shot acrobatically over the bar.
Latics did find their third goal as Scholes-Beard forced Culkin into another decent save, but this time he could only push it as far as Norman who tapped into an empty net.
Norman extended Oldham’s lead and grabbed his hat-trick in the process early into the second half as Scholes-Beard forced a save from Culkin, but the rebound fell to Norman who tapped into an empty net.
Norris had to be at his best to clear a Gabidon shot off the line before Williams forced two fine saves from goalkeeper Culkin.
Substitute Sam Amankwaa then saw a header cleared off the line before Williams produced a real moment of magic.
The youngster picked up the ball just inside the Altrincham half and glided his way through three players before taking it around the goalkeeper and placing it into the net.
Gabidon got a goal back for Altrincham after a superb strike from distance beat Allen, but Latics restored that five-goal lead on the full-time whistle.
Williams again was involved as he got to the touchline and pulled it back to substitute Pickford who had the simple task of sticking the ball into the net from a few yards out.
The win means Latics will play Sunderland U18 in the Second Round of the FA Youth Cup.
Attendance: 259
Altrincham U18
Culkin, Graham, Savage, Sowerby, Mehta (Preston 64’), Coleman, Barrett, Ryan (Evans 69’), Elliot (Mercurius 45’), Matthews, Gabidon ©
Oldham Athletic U18
Allen, Williams, Leech, Baldwin, Norris ©, Grundy, Swarby-Nevin, Gaskell, Norman (Amankwaa 65’), Scholes-Beard (Pickford 65’), Robinson (Sheriff 76’)