Latics 3-2 Blackburn U21s

 

 

Kofi Moore, himself a former Youth Team player, was also on target, as well as the experienced Joe Garner, and the young players should take great credit for their individuao performances against their higher-ranked counterparts.

 

Teixera started the game with fellow Youth Team defender Victor Dielunvuidi as Micky Mellon again used the competition as an opportunity to field youngsters and those who have not featured recently.

 

Teixera opened the scoring on 20 minutes, receiving a knock down from Joe Garner before slotting home an angled shot.

 

Latics had started the game well with early chances for Jes Uchegbulam and Will Sutton but neither could get their efforts on target.

 

Scott Moloney was required to make a good save with his feet to deny Joseph Boggan and the Latics goalkeeper was called into action again, tipping over a cross from Adam Caddick.

 

Josh Kay, still building up his minutes after a recent injury lay-off, was among the more experienced Latics players and he fired over after receiving a long ball before turning and shooing over.

 

The visitors equalised nine minutes before half-time, Zack Stritch scoring from close range, but Mellon’s side were soon in front again.

 

If Oldham’s opened was scored by an emerging talent then their second came from an established one. Joe Garner put the home side ahead again, receiving a pass from Kay before setting himself and curling a fine strike past the reach of Nickolas Michaelski.

 

And no sooner had Latics re-established their lead than the home side extended it with another impressive goal.

 

Kofi Moore found the target at the second time of asking, sweeping home the rebound after his initial effort was saved by Michaelski having cleverly created space for himself with a neat turn inside the area.

 

Shortly after the re-start, Garner connected with a corner from Key with a blistering first-time effort which drew a diving stop from Michaelski.

 

The visitors tried to find a way back, Moloney saving well from Stritch, whilst Otis Khan was forced into a fantaatioc goal-line clearance to prevent Frank Vare from scoring.

 

There were further opportunities for Youth Team players in the highly-rated Abubakah Muhammed and local lad Theo Andrew, a life-long Latics supporter.

 

And within minutes of his introduction, Andrew almost make a key difference, embarking on a charging run into the area which saw him beat three players but his cross was cut out and cleared.

 

Moore also saw a header blocked on the goal-line from a Kay corner and although Rhys Doherty scored a later consolation, the young Latics deserved great credit for their win.

 

Oldham Athletic: Moloney, Charsley (Andrew 71 (Amadin 90)), Kay, Garner (Muhammed 62), Uchegbulam (Ndienguila 90), Sutton, Moore, Hammond, Khan, Teixeira, Dielunvuidi.

 

Subs not used: Whitelaw, Holden, Amos.

 

Blackburn Rovers: Michaelski, Houghton, Powell (Doherty 69), Pratt (Davies 46), Doherty, Dunn, Bell (Leatherbarrow 69), Caddick, Boggan (Biniek 69), Vare (Shorrocks 80), Stritch.

 

Subs not used: Khan, Baker.

 

Referee: Callum Jones

 

Attendance: 356