Dundee United 0-0 Latics

Match Reports

19 July 25

By Oldham Athletic

Latics turned in a composed and confident performance against Scottish Premiership side Dundee United, showing plenty of positives in their latest pre-season outing.

Latics looked comfortable in possession and created a handful of openings, with Jack Stevens producing a clever piece of footwork before picking out Kieron Morris, who sent a header narrowly wide of the target.

After making ten changes on the hour mark, Latics maintained their rhythm and showcased the ability of the squad.

Despite the flurry of substitutions, the game remained competitive, and Micky Mellon’s side looked assured throughout. Against top-flight opposition, it was a solid workout and another step forward in the build-up to the new season.

Latics started the game well, a neat passage of play saw Donervon Daniels turn his marker smartly before feeding Kai Payne, who slipped in Reagan Ogle on the overlap. The full-back looked to pick out Mike Fondop in the middle, but Sam Cleall-Harding was alert to the danger and cut it out well.

At the other end, Will Ferry looked to be through on goal and attempted to square for Sapsford to tap in, only for the linesman’s flag to halt the move.

Payne continued to look lively, picking up the ball in space and driving at the defence on the 15-minute mark. He turned sharply and let fly from the edge of the box, but Yevhenii Kucherenko was equal to it, holding the shot confidently.

Kieron Morris then delivered an inviting cross into a dangerous area, with Fondop ready to pounce, but the goalkeeper was quick off his line to parry away under pressure.

There was a scare for the hosts when Kucherenko came for a high ball but spilled it into the path of Stevens. He reacted quickly to slip in Fondop, but the striker could only lift his effort over the bar.

Dundee threatened late on in the half from a set-piece, with Ferry’s corner finding the head of Krisztian Keresztes, though the defender couldn’t keep his header down.

Latics continued to push after the break, with Stevens showcasing some neat footwork to open up space before picking out Morris in the box, though the midfielder's header drifted wide of the target.

On the hour mark, Micky Mellon made ten changes to give valuable game time to the rest of his squad and assess his options ahead of the new campaign.

The hosts began to create a flurry of chances as the game opened up Ivan Dolcek showed good control inside the area and nearly poked the hosts ahead, only for his effort to flash just wide.

Moments later, Keresztes rose highest to meet a free-kick from the right but couldn’t guide his header on target.

Just after, Joe Garner flicked a ball into the path of Kian Harratt, who looked to be through, but the referee spotted a foul and halted the attack.

As full-time approached, the hosts pressed to get the winner. Substitute Max Watters twice went close, first curling an effort just wide and later forcing a fine save from Tom Donaghy inside the area.

Dolcek also saw an effort deflected behind, while up the other end Kane Drummond whipped in a teasing cross that narrowly evaded everyone in the box.

Overall, it was an assured performance from Latics against Scottish top-flight opposition, offering plenty of positives for Micky Mellon to build on.

Dundee United: Kucherenko (Richards 46), Iovu, Cleall-Harding, Keresztes, Naamo (Strain 54), Sibbald, Pappoe (Camara 64), Ferry, Fatah (Watters 46), Sapsford (Dolcek 46), Trapanovski (Thomson 88).

Subs not used: Adams, Dewar, Odada, Gilligan, Welsh, Beattie, Esselink, O’Donnell, Constable, Sevelj, Stirton.

Oldham Athletic: Hudson (Donaghy 60), Ogle (Kay 60), Leake (Waters 87), Daniels (Sutton 60), Monthe (Hannant 60), Pett (Conlon 60), Woods (Hammond 60), Payne (Hawkes 60), Stevens (Drummond 60), Morris (Harratt 60), Fondop (Garner 60)

Subs not used: Trialist.

Attendance: 3,428 (444)