Latics 1-0 Stockport County

Back on English soil after a week’s hard work at a training camp in Scotland, Latics were rewarded for endeavours as they opened their pre-season account with a win.

Micky Mellon’s side bridged the gap of two divisions to overcome Stockport County, the EFL League One newcomers, courtesy of Mark Kitching’s early goal.

It was a goal after 50 seconds which settled the matter, Tom Conlon delivering a free-kick from the right towards the near post, where Kitching dispatched a stooping header.

Mellon will be pleased at the bright football played by his side, who displayed an authority and no little quality in possession throughout the game.

Of the five summer signings made by Oldham, three were handed a start, Manny Monthe featuring in a three-man defence, with Josh Kay at right wing-back and Harry Charsley in midfield. He lined up alongside Conlon, who wore the captain’s armband.

The visitors will begin the new campaign back in the third tier and they began to see more of the play. Odin Bailey lined up a free-kick from just outside the area but it cleared the crossbar.

Latics themselves showed their ability to construct good football. Having engineered the opener, Conlon displayed a good range of passing and move the ball smartly through midfield.

But it was the visitors who saw an increased amount of possession, Kyle Wooton making a run into the centre of the area, where he met a cross from a trialist but could only direct the ball over.

Two debutants almost combined to good effect for the home side, Josh Kay directing an angled shot wide at the far post after Harry Charley had touched on a left-wing centre from Kitching.

And with half-time approaching, Latics almost opened up the home side again, a neat move involving Josh Lundstram, Oli Hammond and Kay breaking down inside the box.

Kay was involved twice more in quick succession, sending in a wicked ball from the right towards the centre of the area and Mike Fondop, arriving in the middle, was inches away from connecting.

And then, minutes later, Kay’s shot was touched wide by goalkeeper Corey Addai after meeting a cross from Kitching.

Latics made one change at the break, Dan Gardner replacing Harry Charsley, and Latics continued their good play. Ten minutes into the second half, Kitching created another chance, this time teeing up Hammond, but he could only direct his header at goalkeeper Ben Hincliffe.

A further seven changes followed for Latics on the hour, including a debut for Jez Uchegbulam and Mo Doro, the academy graduate who has penned a professional contract in the summer.

The number of changes saw the tempo reduce but Latics remained in control. Alex Reid was among the introductions and, in the closing stages, he broke away down the right, but his effort was saved by Ben Hinchliffe.

 

Oldham Athletic: Hudson (Trialist C 71), Kitching (Doro 60), Hobson (Hogan 60), Monthe (Sutton 60), Charsley (Gardner 46), Lundstram, Fondop (Willoughby 60), Conlon (Trialist A 57), Kay (Moore 60), Raglan (Uchegbulam 60), Hammond (Reid 60).

Stockport County: Addai (Hinchliffe 46), Knoyle (Connolly 46), Hughes (Collar 61), Diamond (Gardner 61), Wootton (Trialist D. 61), Trialist A (Hillary 61), Pye (Touray 46), Trialist B (Camps 46), Bailey (Trialist C 61), Fiorini (Okeke 46), Bate (Johnson 61).

Referee: Ben Wyatt

Attendance: 2,187 (883 away)