Latics 1-2 Swindon Town

Oldham’s unbeaten start to the League Two season came to an end following a 2-1 defeat by Swindon Town at Boundary Park. 

Micky Mellon made three changes to the XI that drew with Colchester at Boundary Park last weekend, with Will Sutton making his first league appearance of the season as Latics changed to a back three. 

Swindon took the lead on the fifth minute when a cross into the box wasn’t dealt with properly by the Latics defence, falling to Joe Snowdon at the back post. The Swindon man slotted past Matt Hudson to give the Robins an early lead. 

The visitors were looking in control in the early exchanges as Latics struggled to settle. A corner from the right was glanced over by James Ball. 

Swindon’s pressure resulted in a second goal 19 minutes in. A cross from the left towards the back post was cleared before arriving at the feet of Tom Nichols inside the box, with the Swindon number seven smashing the ball into the top left corner.

Latics responded to the second goal well and began to create chances. From Ryan Woods’ freekick from the right side, Joe Quigley rose but couldn’t keep his header down. 

Then ten minutes before the break, Latics pulled one back. Tom Conlon’s freekick was met by Quigley, whose header was too much for a stretching Connor Ripley. 

The goal rallied Latics, with the hosts pressing for a leveller. Moments later, Conlon’s ball over the top set Jame Robson through and the wing-back was shoved to the floor, but referee Greg Rollason waved play on. 

Mike Fondop then came close, connecting with a header, but the former Latics ‘keeper Ripley got down to hold. 

With five minutes before the break, Princewill Ehibhatiomhan threatened for the Robins, flicking the ball over Donervon Daniels and finding space, but his effort was straight into the arms of Hudson. 

Harry Smith then went close with a towering header that went just wide of the target. 

There was time for a Reagan Ogle long throw just before the half-time whistle, which took a nick off the head of Harry Smith that Ripley had to be alert to in order to catch. It was the last action of the first half, seeing Latics go in 2-1 down at the break.

The home side began the second half well and looked the more likely to get the first goal of the half. The introduction of Kieron Morris on the hour-mark saw Mellon’s side switch back to a back four, as Latics went about equalising. 

Last week’s goalscorer Josh Hawkes came on to try and make an impact as the hosts tried to force a leveller. The Oldham number 21 whipped a cross into the area on the 72^nd minute mark, which Ripley couldn’t keep hold of. However, nobody in Latics blue was there to pounce. 

Kieron Morris then had an effort on goal after some good work down the left between him and Ogle. Morris cut inside on his left and fired a low drive from outside the area, but it was straight into Ripley’s arms. 

With five minutes to go, Swindon had the chance to put the game to bed. Billy Bodin went down the right and put a cross into the area with Smith sliding in to connect with. From yards out, the Swindon frontman’s shot blazed over the bar. 

Latics thought they had the equaliser with one minute remaining. Ripley struggled to get something on Wood’s cross form the left and the ball dropped to Quigley inside the box. His effort was blocked on the line by a defender, with the referee waving away protests for a penalty. 

Oldham had more of the ball in the second period but were unable to create a lot of strong chances. Despite late pressure, including a couple of Ogle long throws, the game finished in defeat for Latics. 

Oldham Athletic: Hudson; Sutton (Morris 61’), Daniels, Monthe; Ogle, Conlon ©, Woods, Robson; Hannant (Hawkes 69’); Fondop (Harratt 84’), Quigley. 

Unused substitutes: Donaghy (GK), Drummond, Olson, Hammond.

Swindon Town: Ripley, Wilson-Brown (Mabete 61’), Ball, Wright, Snowdon (McGregor 76), Oldaker, Nichols (Bodin 76), Munroe, Smith, Ehibhatiomhan (Glatzel 76), Drinian.

Unused substitutes: Ward (GK), Ameen. 

Attendance: 6,955 (507 away)