Goals from Zak Dearnley, Tom Hamer, Jonny Smith and a Danny Rowe brace saw Latics score five for the first time since 2017 and ease to a comfortable three points.
Latics made three changes from Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Leyton Orient, with Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, Gevaro Nepomuceno and Zeus De La Paz coming into the team. Mohamad Sylla kept his place in the side, making his 50th Latics appearance in the process.
Zak Dearnley grabbed a brace at Orient, and almost immediately carried on from where he left off, as he headed Jonny Smith’s in-swinging corner against the post inside four minutes. Moments later, Smith and Dearnley combined once more, the latter turning provider this time, sliding his teammate in. Smith flashed his close-range effort just wide.
On 10, Danny Rowe’s quick thinking almost resulted in his first Boundary Park goal. He collected Newport goalkeeper Tom King’s loose clearance and tried his luck from 40 yards. However, Rowe’s audacious effort flew just over.
The visitors had their first effort 13 minutes in. Carl Piergianni was equal to George Nurse’s low shot.
Latics continued to push for the opener and almost broke the deadlock in the 20th minute. Gevaro Nepomuceno teased the Newport back line, sending them one way and then the other. He picked out David Wheater, but the captain flicked the ball the wrong side of the post.
Three minutes later, Nepomuceno found Dearnley with a searching pass, but King was out of his goal quickly to smother the ball.
In the 25th minute, Latic’s pressure was rewarded, Rowe persistence paid off as he wriggled into the box. King was unable to keep out his powerful effort out, giving the January signing his first goal in front of the home faithful.
Two minutes later, Latics doubled their lead, as Dearnley applied the finishing touches to a flowing move. Rowe sent Borthwick-Jackson away down the left flank, and the fullback’s cross was turned home by Dearnley for his third goal in two games.
Three minutes before half time, Rowe played in Nepomuceno with a perfectly weighted pass. The Latics’ winger raced through, but was stopped in his tracks by a last-ditch Ryan Innis challenge.
The half ended with Latics leading 2-0 and well worth their two goal advantage.
Six minutes into the second half, Newport looked to launch a break following a Latics’ corner, but Borthwick-Jackson halted a potentially dangerous counter attack with a thunderous sliding tackle on half way.
His challenge proved pivotal, as moments later, Latics had their third. Nepomuceno picked out Rowe, who expertly dropped his shoulder before calmly finishing, doubling his tally for the afternoon.
Just past the hour mark, Latics made it four. Smith’s intelligent pass picked out the marauding Hamer, and his deflected effort looped over King and into the net.
In the 63rd minute, De La Paz was called into action for the first time, comfortably holding Mickey Demetriou’s speculative strike from range.
On 70, Rowe was a whisker away from grabbing his hat-trick. He created the opening for himself, twisting in the box before firing goal-wards from a tight angle. However, the outside of the post prevented him from taking home the match ball.
There was no let up from Latics, and on 83, it was five. Smith raced into the box and picked out the bottom corner with a low, right foot finish.
Latics went in search of a sixth, and almost had it two minutes from the final whistle. Hamer played in Nepomuceno, but his low strike was held by King.
In injury time, Matt Dolan sent a half volley just wide for the visitors. It was to be the game’s final moment of note, as Latics' fine home form in 2020 continued. It’s now five unbeaten at Boundary Park for Dino Maamria’s side.
Oldham Athletic 5-0 Newport County.
Attendance: 2,912 (147 away).
Oldham Athletic Starting XI: De La Paz, Hamer, Wheater, Piergianni, Borthwick-Jackson, Smith, McCann (86’, Missilou), Nepomuceno, Sylla (90’, N’Guessan), Rowe, Dearnley (66’, Maouche)
Subs: Allen, Branger-Engone, Maouche, Missilou, Azankpo, N’Guessan, Egert
Newport County Starting XI: King, Haynes, Gorman, Willmott (56’, Howkins), Sheehan, Matt (75’, Dolan), Nurse, Inniss, Demetriou, Khan (45’ Collins), Amond
Subs: Howkins, Dolan, Abrahams, Collins
Referee: Tom Bramall