Latics 0-5 Man United U21

Latics’ National League Cup campaign came to an end after a 5-0 defeat at home to Manchester United U21s.

The first half was an even contest, both teams each hit the crossbar in an end-to-end first 45.

The second however, United ran rampant, Goals from Jack Moorhouse, Chido Obi, Malachi Sharpe, Sam Mather and Victor Musa condemned Latics to defeat and their exit from the competition.

Latics started the game well Kofi Moore delivered an enticing cross into the area, the ball came off Tyler Fredricson, hit the Latics crossbar and went out for a corner.

However, United five minutes will have felt aggrieved not to have been ahead. Mather span his man well and raced through on goal, but his effort was wide of Jacob Dennis’ goal.

Just before the half hour, the visitors had their second chance of the evening, Obi found himself with space on the edge of the area, he had a go but Dennis held well.

Latics had a golden chance to go ahead on the 35th minute when Sam Taylor cut the ball back to early substitute Abubakar Muhammed, Elyh Harrison saved his original effort at close range and the ball was scrambled away from danger.

Two minutes later, Josh Kay played an excellent ball over the top to Taylor, he took a touch and fired but his effort was wide.

Just a minute before the break  Matt Worthington cleared off the line from Moorhouse's close range effort to help send Latics into the break level.

The second half began and United came out stronger, Obi's effort from a tight angle came back off the post after a long ball forward and the second ball was cleared.

The best chance of the game fell to the visitors on the 62nd minute mark, a ball from Sharpe went across the face of goal, at the back post Mather made contact but it wasn’t clean and the ball went wide.

Two minutes later they were in front, Moorhouse danced his way into the area and made space to shoot. He fired low into the back of the net to give the visitors the lead.

The game was in the favour of the away side and they wanted to add to their tally, Dennis produced a number of impressive saves in quick succession. Firstly from Obi down to his right and then from Ruben Curley, pushing his fierce strike away with his fingertips.

That pressure paid dividends in the 71st minute when United doubled their lead. Obi tapped home from a rebound as Dennis first saved from Moorhouse.

United had a third moments later, the pacey Sharpe gained a yard of space and fired low and hard giving Dennis no chance.

A fourth followed on the 84th minute, Mather strook with his left foot into the top corner to give the visitors a comfortable cushion.

The game looked to be filtering out, but with a minute to go United made it five when Musa headed home from a corner.

The referee then sounded his whistle to signal Latics’ exit from the competition.

Oldham Athletic: Dennis, Hobson, Sutton, Teixeira, Kay, Moore, Khan, Worthington (Dielunvuidi 61), Hammond, Taylor, Garner (Muhammed 8).

Subs not used: Moloney, Amadin, Holden, Mulcahy, Amos.

Man United U21: Harrison, Ogunneye, Fredricson, Kukonki, Murray, Kone, Sharpe (Scanlon 78), McAllister (Curley 61), Obi (Musa 83), Moorhouse, Mather.

Subs not used: Myles, Rowe, Kamason, Munro

Referee: Jamie O’Connor

Attendance: 1,895