Latics continue the search for their first points of the season as Hayden Mullins’ men take the victory back to Essex.
In the opening 15 minutes, Oldham found themselves two-nil behind as Freddie Sears netted from the spot before Noah Chilvers drilled a low strike into the bottom corner. Dylan Bahamboula managed to pull a goal back in the 74th minute, but Latics couldn’t found a much-needed equaliser.
The hosts were given a lift as Boundary Park welcomed back Keith Curle to the dugout after Head Coach contracted Covid-19. Upon his return, the gaffer named three changes with the introduction of midfielder Faysal Bettache, who arrived on loan from QPR in midweek.
Latics endured a horrific start to the encounter as they found themselves trailing after just nine minutes. Davis Keillor-Dunn dwelled on the ball for too long inside his own area before he was adjusted to have brought Brendan Wiredu down inside the box, a very harsh decision. Sears stepped up and expertly slotted to the bottom corner, making it two goals from spot in two games for the former West Ham United attacker.
To add to this, the U’s doubled their advantage to the frustration of the home faithful. Chilvers, an academy product, fiercely dribbled at the Latics backline with space opening up for him to drill a low effort into the far corner before reeling away in celebration.
Oldham should’ve been level when Keillor-Dunn raced one-on-one with the goalkeeper, however, the attack-minded individual blasted his effort straight at Shamal George and he comfortably steered it behind.
Following that, Hallam Hope work rate was exemplified as he latched onto a loose back pass from Luke Chambers, but the attacker couldn’t score his first goal in the blue of Latics as the ‘keeper denied him inside the box before Keillor-Dunn smashed the rebound way over the crossbar.
The gaffer looked for a reaction in the second-half as he brought academy products Harry Vaughan and Junior Luamba on as they replaced Nicky Adams and Keillor-Dunn.
Neither outfit could create any clear-cut chances within 15 minutes of the restart, Alan Judge had the only noteworthy moment when he received possession on the edge of the area before he smashed his effort over the target.
In the 74th minute, Latics were handed a lifeline when Bahamboula found the back of the net. Substitute Vaughan showcased impressive dribbling as he beat numerous defenders on the right-hand side before picking out the Congo international and he cleverly smashed his strike into the far corner which sparked belief around the ground.
Miles Welch-Hayes raced down the right flank before he delivered to Cameron Coxe and the Solihull Moors loanee produced a goal-bound glancing header, however, Laurie Walker shifted across his goal line well to deny him with the clock frustratingly running down for the home side.
Oldham Athletic XI – Walker (GK), Adams (Vaughan 46’), Clarke, Piergianni ©, Sheehan, Hart, Bettache, Cisse (Diarra 54’), Keillor-Dunn (Luamba 46’), Bahamboula, Hope.
Subs: Danielewicz (GK), Fage, Whelan, Dearnley.
Goals: Bahamboula 74’
Colchester United XI – George (GK), Welch-Hayes, Chambers, Smith ©, Wiredu, Nouble, Judge, Sears (Hannant 76’), Chilvers (Kennedy 80’), Jasper (Coxe 82’), Daniels.
Subs: Turner (GK), Tchamadeu, Tovide, Beadle.
Goals: Sears 9’, Chilvers 13’
Attendance: 3,496 (187 away)
Referee – Samuel Barrott