Latics progress to the second round of the FA Youth Cup after a stunning performance against Carlisle United.
After a frantic 90 minutes and extra time, Latics remarkably secured their place in the next round courtesy of a thrilling penalty shootout with Luke Southerington creating the headlines at Brunton Park.
Ahead of the first round of the prestigious cup competition, Selim Benachour named a strong starting XI in Cumbria with Harry Vaughan returning to the side after receiving permission from the first team to feature for the youngsters.
The hosts started the encounter on the front foot and took the lead in the third minute. Sam Fishburn, a striker in and amongst their first team, rose highest when a corner was delivered in the area from the left-hand side and he managed to steer his header into the far side of the net.
Latics, wearing our tangerine away strip, nearly responded instantly through Kane Badby just minutes later. The lightning-fast winger created space for himself in the penalty area which allowed him to drill a low effort goalwards, however, Charlie Watt cleared his attempt off the line.
In the 31st minute, the referee pointed to the spot as a Carlisle player went down inside the area. Fishburn stepped up, however, he couldn’t extend his side’s advantage as Southerington excellently denied the forward from 12-yards.
Oldham found themselves an equaliser just before the interval following a period of sustained pressure. Llyton Chapman, who replaced the injured Asa Hughes earlier in the half, netted the leveller as the ball fell nicely to him inside the box and he cleverly flicked past Gabriel Breeze.
Mark Birch’s outfit restored their lead in the 59th minute from an excellent set-piece taken by Watt. After his side won a free-kick, the left-sided player impressively curled over the wall and into the corner.
However, the visitors instantly evened the scoreline through Jimm Simms. Issac Modi dribbled at their backline before displaying an abundance of vision to put his teammate clean through on goal and the striker kept his composure to slot past the ‘keeper.
Following that, Vaughan picked out Aaron Atkinson inside the box, but the midfielder’s low strike cannoned off the post before being cleared by a defender.
The Cumbrians found another goal in the 78th minute as their skipper led by example. Once again, Watt delivered an inviting cross from a set-piece and, this time, it found Ellis inside the six-yard box and he headed into the back of the net.
Southerington sparked unbelievable scenes in the North West as the shot-stopper wandered up for a last-minute free-kick. Vaughan perfectly delivered onto his head and he managed to steer it into the top corner to give his side a lifeline.
In extra time, Atkinson thought that he became the hero for Latics as he found the fourth goal. The midfielder received possession on the edge of the area before smashing his effort into the roof of the net which resulted in a jubilant celebration.
Frustration arose for the visitors with Fishburn etching his name on the scoresheet for the second time. DJ Taylor produced great work down the left-wing before picking out the frontman inside the box and he placed his effort into the corner meaning the game would be decided on penalties.
Latics secured the victory on penalties as Southerington, once again, made the headlines as he saved the first spot-kick before Modi slotted his penalty away to send his side into the second round of the competition.
Carlisle United XI – Breeze (GK), Potts (Swinburn 115’), Bell, Carr, Ellis ©, Kilsby, Watt, Garvey (Taylor 92’), Fishburn, Bollado (Gordon 130’), Nugent (Hardy 70’).
Unused Subs: Simons (GK), Fitzpatrick.
Goals: Fishburn 4’, Watt 59’, Ellis 78’, Fishburn 115’
Oldham Athletic XI – 13. Luke Southerington (GK), 5. Asa Hughes © (15. Llyton Chapman 29’), 4. Oliver Kilner, 20. Frazer Cookson, 2. Trey Turner (12. Ryan Spencer 94’), 18. Aaron Atkinson, 10. Harry Vaughan, 8. Joe Edwards (21. Kofi Moore 82’), 9. Jim Simms, 7. Isaac Modi, 11. Kane Badby (17. Favour Okeke 64’).
Unused Subs: 1. Kacper Danielewicz, 16. Sam Davidson, 19. Jake Forshaw.
Goals: Chapman 45’, Simms 62’, Southerington 90+, Atkinson 99’
Referee – Graeme Hopper