Cambridge United 0-1 Latics

Latics registered their first win of the Sky Bet League Two season beating Cambridge 1-0 at The Abbey Stadium.  

A first-half strike from Michael Mellon on his debut gave Latics that illusive first win of the season.

 It was a back to the walls performance at times in the second-half having to defend resolutely, but the defence stood firm and Latics head back up north with a win.  

The first chance of the game fell to the hosts who would have been disappointed not to have done better.  Sullay Kaikai lost his man in the area and had a free header at goal, but his effort was miscued and went out of play for a goal kick.  

Latics’ first chance came when Luke Hannant managed to cross after good persistence moments later, he crossed for new boy Mellon who got up well, but his header was saved at the back post.  

The first goal of the game came after 23 minutes, and it was a debut goal for the new man up front after his earlier chance.   Tom Conlon found Hannant who slipped in full-back Jamie Robson down the left, he cut back excellently to Mellon and he made no mistake in firing home.  

There were half chances for both sides before the half-time whistle. Pelly Ruddock-Mpanzu fired over after a corner from the right with 10 to go until the break.  

For Latics, Tom Pett played a through ball looking for Mellon after winning possession back in the middle of the park, but his pass was overhit with striker advancing towards goal well.    

With minutes to go, Mat Hudson looked to have been fouled when claiming a cross, he did well to save the effort at close range from Kell Watts after parrying originally. After the attack he was booked for voicing his opinion on the decision.  

That was the last action of the period and Latics took a one-goal lead into the break.  

The second-half started in lively fashion, Louis Appere cut back inside the area and fired, he looked to have found the back of the net but Hannant read the danger excellently to clear off the line.  

Following that let off for Latics, the hosts kept pushing for the equaliser without creating too many notable chances.   James Brophy looked to line up a free-kick but that was blocked by Mike Fondop.  

Robson had to be alert to clear at the far post as substitute Shayne Lavery looked to connect on the volley.  

Latics were defending resolutely in a half they didn't see many goalscoring chances.  

Although with eight to go, Elias Kachunga tripped Kane Drummond as he won possession and drove towards goal, he won a free-kick in a great position.  Eastwood, however in the Cambridge goal, produced a fine save with a strong hand to save Conlon's effort.  

With one minute left on the clock it should have been two, great pace fromDrummond allowed him to break away one-on-one, but Eastwood stood tall and saved his effort.  

The hosts were the ones pushing late on but Latics stood firm and managed to grind out a gutsy and determined performance to take three three points back up north with them.

Cambridge United: Eastwood, Bennett (Mayor 68), Purrington, Ball, Watts, Brophy (Kachunga 68), Appere (Lavery 68), Kaikai, Knight (Kouassi 46), Mpanzu, Jobe.  

Subs not used: Hughes, Rossi, McLoughlin.  

Oldham Athletic: Hudson, Robson, Daniels, Monthe, Sutton (Caprice 71), Hannant, Pett, Conlon, Woods, Mellon (Drummond 58), Fondop.  

Subs not used: Donaghy, Hawkes, Olson, Harratt, Hammond.  

Referee: Ben Atkinson  

Attendance: 6,570 (740)