Two second-half goals from Jay Rodriguez and Lewis Richardson sealed a victory for Burnley at Boundary Park.
Latics continued their hectic and productive pre-season campaign with the visit of Premier League side Burnley and Keith Curle named three changes to his side with Jordan Clarke, Raphael Diarra and a trialist all taking to the field.
The boys in blue started the friendly in an assertive manner and caused the visitors trouble after just two minutes when Trialist B delivered an inviting low cross into a dangerous area inside the 18-yard box, however, Oldham academy graduate James Tarkowski managed to clear the ball before it reached Davis Keillor-Dunn at the back post.
Dylan Bahamboula, playing in front of Latics fans for the first-time, flicked the ball to Keillor-Dunn and the attacker was able to turn his marker before powerfully striking goalwards, but it went just past the post to his frustration.
Sean Dyche’s men should’ve taken the lead when the experienced Phil Bardsley produced a perfectly-weighted cross towards the onrushing Anthony Glennon at the back post, however, he couldn’t direct his effort on target.
Following that, Bahamboula showcased his undoubted ability as he glided past several top-flight defenders before having the awareness and vision to slot Keillor-Dunn through towards the left, however, he dragged his effort across goal.
The Clarets had a few chances of their own before the interval with the first arriving through Erik Pieters. The Belgian fiercely shot from 25-yards, looking destined for the top corner, Trialist A produced a fine save to deny the former Stoke City full-back.
Additionally, Johann Gudmundsson curled a promising free-kick over the Latics wall but, once again, Trialist A managed to keep the ball away from the back of the net.
The Premier League outfit nearly opened the scoring early in the second-half as a corner was met by Richardson, but his header went just past the post.
However, Burnley were ahead in the 56th minute through fans favourite, Rodriguez. The visitors floated a corner into the box and, eventually, it landed the feet of the academy product and he tapped into the empty net.
Just a minute after and Richardson doubled his side’s advantage as Trialist A parried Rodriguez’s strike into the path of the youngster and he managed to flick past the recovering goalkeeper.
Another positive aspect of the friendly was that there were 2,071 fans (982 visiting supporters) inside Boundary Park after 511 days away and they certainly made noise to get behind the players.
Latics’ best second-half opportunity occurred when Trialist E received the ball outside the box and tried his luck, however, he sliced the strike straight into Will Norris’ hands.
In the last minute, the Clarets nearly added a third as Trialist B gifted the highly-rated Dwight McNeil the ball inside the penalty box, but the winger smashed his effort over the crossbar.
Oldham Athletic XI – Trialist A (GK) (Trialist D 71’), Clarke (Jameson 46’), McGahey (Trialist F 65’), Piergianni © (Badan 65’), Trialist B (Adams 46’), Trialist C (Dearnley 71’), Diarra (Trialist E 46’), Hart (Fage 46’), Bahamboula (Whelan 46’), Keillor-Dunn (Trialist G 65’), Hope (Luamba 62’).
Burnley XI – Peacock-Farrell (GK) (Norris 46’), Bardsley (Lowton 46’), Tarkowski (Collins 46’), Mee © (Thomas 46’), Pieters (Taylor 46’), Gudmundsson (Gomez 70’), Cork (Westwood 46’), Benson (Brownhill 46’), Glennon (McNeil 46’), Barnes (Rodriguez 46’), Richardson (Thompson 70’).
Subs – Nartey, Phillips.
Goals: Rodriguez 56', Richardson 58'
Attendance: 2,071 (982 away)