Latics continue their pre-season campaign with a win over local side Stalybridge Celtic with two Trialist on the scoresheet.
Similar to Ashton United, Keith Curle named an unfamiliar starting XI for the friendly with six trialists taking to the field alongside Harrison McGahey, Kyle Jameson, Nicky Adams, Will Sutton and Vani Da Silva.
As to be expected in an early pre-season fixture, both sides had a sluggish opening 15 minutes with the brightest spark arriving in the form of McGahey, who had the vision to produce a 40-yard pass over the defence towards Trialist D, however the ball was slightly overhit.
Shortly after Latics nearly took the lead when Adams delivered a pinpoint cross onto the head of Sutton, the powerful defender rose highest before seeing his goal bound effort blocked inside the six-yard box to his frustration.
In the 29th minute, the visitors opened the scoring courtesy of Trialist E. The move began with fantastic work from Trialist as he manufactured a perfectly weighted long pass to the onrushing striker, and he kept his composure to flick over the goalkeeper with Oldham supporters showing their appreciation from the terraces.
Early in the second-half, the boys in blue should’ve double their advantage when three substitutes combined. First of all, Davis Keillor-Dunn played the ball over the top to the pacey Zak Dearnley before he had the awareness to switch to Trialist J allowing him one-on-one with Grant Shenton. However, he managed to take the ball around the shot-stopper, but a defender manages to recover and deny him on the goal line.
Curle witnessed his side extend their advantage as Callum Whelan had the ability to construct an accurate pass to Trialist H and he powerfully slotted his effort past the goalkeeper and into the left-hand bottom corner.
The Celts could’ve pulled a goal back minutes after as their No.18 struck a free-kick over the wall and looked destined for the top corner until Trialist G showed great reflexes to deny him.
Dearnley nearly got himself on the scoresheet with minutes left in the game, he raced through into the box before powerfully striking towards the far post, however, Shenton produced a fine stop to flick his attempt past the far post.
Stalybridge Celtic XI – Shenton (GK), Trialist, Sass, Barlow, O’Grady, O’Halloran, Deacon, Trialist, Awe, Trialist, Quansah.
Subs – Chorlton, Inneh, Trialist, Jones, Trialist, Nuttall.
Oldham Athletic XI (First-half) – Trialist A, McGahey ©, Jameson, Trialist C, McGahey, Trialist D, Trialist E, Trialist F, Adams, Sutton, Da Silva.
Oldham Athletic XI (Second-half) – Trialist G, Fage, Piergianni ©, Hart, Whelan, Trialist H, Trialist I Trialist J, Trialist K, Keillor-Dunn, Dearnley.
Goals: Trialist E 29’, Trialist H 63’