The Carabao Cup run comes to an end in the third round as Latics are convincingly beaten by top-flight opponent Brentford who ultimately outclassed from the start.
Marcus Forss showcased his ability and class as he managed to net a first-half hat-trick with Yoane Wissa getting his name on the scoresheet as well as Raphael Diarra turning into his own net.
Forss added another early into the second-half before Wissa finished the rout with the best effort of the seven as Thomas Frank’s side comfortably progress into the next round of the cup.
The Head Coach manufactured three changes for the cup clash in the capital as he handed starts to Zak Dearnley, Jamie Bowden and Dylan Fage.
Latics endured a horrid start to the game as after just three minutes, the Bees were ahead. Carl Piergianni brought down Wissa, a summer recruit, inside the area before Forss confidently stepped up and slotted the spot-kick down the middle with the home fans erupting.
Shortly after, Frank witnessed his side double their advantage through unsurprisingly Forss. Once again, Wissa caused the backline endless problems before his curling strike cannoned off the post with the Finnish marksman exemplifying his clinical nature to tap into an empty net.
In the 38th minute, the hosts extended their lead as the impressive Wissa found himself one-on-one with Jayson Leutwiler and the DR Congo international managed to keep his composure to slot past the ‘keeper.
It went from bad to worse for Keith Curle’s men as Sanam Ghoddos’ drilled cross hit Diarra inside the six-yard box before finding the back of his own net to his frustration.
Brentford inserted more dominance again just before the interval as Forss completed his hat-trick as Mathias Jensen produced fantastic vision as he somehow put the forward clean through on goal and he smashed past the goalkeeper.
At the break, the gaffer showed faith in our academy products as Harry Vaughan, Benny Couto and Vani Da Silva were all brought on and they had a fearless attitude throughout the second-half.
Couto produced fantastic work down the left-hand side which resulted in him racing through on goal and his excellent strike forced Alvaro Fernandez into a smart save to deny the promising youngster.
Forss picked up his fourth of the game as he contrived space inside the box before rocketing an effort off the crossbar and into the back of the net as he reeled away in celebration.
Bees substitute Mads Bidstrup nearly added another when Ghoddos laid the ball to him on the edge of the area, his initial effort was blocked before he snatched at his opportunity and smashed over the crossbar from inside the area.
In the 87th minute, Wissa completed the scoring as he produced a powerful overhead kick from inside the box into the bottom corner after a floated cross fell nicely into his path.
Brentford XI – Fernandez (GK), Thompson, Goode, Jensen ©, Forss, Wissa, Ghoddos, Onyeka (Bidstrup 71’), Zanka, Fosu (Stevens 71’), Roerslev (Peart-Harris 71’).
Subs: Raya (GK), Toney, Mbeumo, Ajer.
Goals: Forss 3’, 16’, 44’, 60’, Wissa 38’, 87', Diarra 43’ OG.
Oldham Athletic XI – Leutwiler (GK), Clarke, Piergianni © (Couto 46’), Whelan, Keillor-Dunn, Dearnley (Da Silva 46’), Fage, Jameson, Bowden, Diarra, Bahamboula (Vaughan 46’).
Subs: Danielewicz (GK).
Attendance: 12,819 (599 away)
Referee – Simon Hooper