Oldham Athletic moved up to fifth and extended their winning run to four in the league with a convincing 2-0 victory over play-off rivals Barnet.
The wet and windy conditions at Boundary Park didn’t dampen Latics’ attacking prowess, as James Norwood converted from the spot just before half-time to give Oldham the lead.
More chances followed in the second-half, but it would be another spot-kick that would double Oldham’s advantage, with Norwood converting from the spot again.
Athletic had some defending to do, but did so defiantly and bravely, to secure the three points.
Both sides traded chances early on, Norwood was lively for Oldham whilst a fantastic block-turn-save denied Pritchard from close-range.
A Barnet diagonal ball met the path of Coker’s run, with the full-back just missing it at the far post, in what would have been a great scoring opportunity.
Full-debutant, Tom Conlon took aim with a free-kick in a promising position, with his effort going just over the crossbar.
After all the fury in attack, Latics finally got their rewards when Norwood was dragged down inside the box.
Lethal as ever from the spot, James calmly sent the ‘keeper the other way, handing Oldham the advantage going into the break.
Fondop had a golden opportunity to double Oldham’s lead shortly after play resumed, Mark Kitching with a trademark cross picked him out, free inside the box, but Mikey could only aim his header straight at Keeley.
He more than made up for that a few minutes later when he was dragged down inside the box, winning Latics another penalty.
Norwood stepped up once more, firing it into the roof of the goal with precision and power.
Barnet had two good chances, and should have halved the deficit at least, the first saw Pritchard fail to keep his shot down after receiving the ball from a cut back, whilst Kabamba headed wide from a handful of yards out, with only Hudson to beat.
Conlon, having just missed the target with a free-kick earlier in the match, made no mistake this time as his set piece was on a collision course with the top corner, just for Keeley to tip it onto the post with a sole hand.
Kabamba, seemingly wanting to make up for wasting his opportunity moments prior, did well to cut in from the left and get his sights on goal, but Hudson stretched himself brilliantly to block the shot, before Sheron dived in front of the follow up.
Norwood was clearly looking to take the matchball home with him, he ran through and hit the ball with power on the half-volley, but couldn’t only win a corner via the goalkeeper’s good save.
Oldham: Hudson, Sachdev, Kitching, Hogan, Hobson, Lundstram, Fondop, Sheron, Raglan, Norwood, Conlon (Hammond, 88’).
Subs Not Used: Norman, McGahey, Hope, Walker.
Barnet: Keeley, Hall-Johnson, Coker (Stead, 58’), Kabamba, Pritchard, Maguire-Drew, Hartigan, Stevens (Cropper, 85’), Oluwo, Potter, Brunt (Kanu, 58’).
Subs Not Used: Armstrong, Okimo.
Attendance: 5,880 (63)
Referee: Andrew Miller
