Latics 1-0 Bromley

Latics register back-to-back victories in the league after a battling performance resulted in a 1-0 win over Bromley.  

Mike Fondop scored the only goal of the game after Tom Conlon’s pin-point delivery was powered home by the striker.  

The visitors pushed for an equaliser but Latics’ defence stood tall and ground out a first victory of the season at Boundary Park.  

Latics started brightly, with Fondop laying the ball into the path of Tom Pett, he fired first-time but leaned back on the strike and saw his effort sail over the bar.    

Soon after at the other end, Idris Odutayo found space in the box to meet a cross from the left, but his header also cleared the target.  

Latics were playing some neat stuff in the early exchanges, Michael Mellon produced a neat turn inside the area to open up a shooting chance, aiming low towards the bottom-right corner, only for Smith to get down sharply and make the save.    

Mellon was involved again moments later, laying the ball into the path of Fondop, whose driven attempt was held well by Grant Smith.  

Chances continued to come, Conlon slid in Luke Hannant who was advancing into a good position, though Cameron and Smith combined to deflect the shot behind for a corner.  

Bromley threatened with 37 minutes on the clock when Michael Cheek picked up possession on the edge of the area and sent a swerving strike narrowly past the post.    

The last chance of the half fell to Latics, Donervon Daniels threaded a superb ball through for Will Sutton. His low cross found Mellon in space, but once again Smith was equal to it, saving at close range and smothering the loose ball.  

The second half got underway with the visitors creating the first opening, Pinnock’s cross finding Kabamba, whose flick towards goal took a deflection on its way behind for a corner.  

On the hour, Latics thought they had broken the deadlock when Mellon found the net, only for celebrations to be cut short as the referee ruled out the goal for a foul by Fondop on goalkeeper Smith.  

Five minutes later, Conlon’s persistence paid off as he battled to win possession, the loose ball falling kindly for Fondop. His strike looked dangerous but was deflected wide for a corner, which the visitors were able to clear.  

Chances remained at a premium, with both sides pushing but largely cancelling each other out. Conlon almost unlocked the defence with a teasing delivery, but Odutayo’s header away prevented it reaching Fondop.    

At the other end, Hudson had to be alert, getting down low to keep out Pinnock’s strike, before Sowunmi went close with a header from the resulting corner.  

The breakthrough finally came on 83 minutes. Conlon delivered a fine cross into the box and Fondop rose highest to power his header past Smith, sending Boundary Park into celebration.  

Straight from the restart, Hudson was called into action again, producing a superb stop to keep out Thompson’s volley.

As the visitors pressed for a late equaliser, the Latics keeper made an unbelievable save to deny Dinanga and, crucially, hold onto the ball.  

Latics stood firm through the closing stages to secure back-to-back wins and register their first three points at home this season.  

Oldham Athletic: Hudson, Sutton, Daniels, Monthe, Robson, Pett (Morris 85), Woods, Conlon, Hannant, Mellon (Drummond 75), Fondop.  

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

Bromley: Smith, Charles, Sowunmi, Cameron, Cheek, Pinnock, Kabamba (Dinanga 85), Hondermarck (Arthurs 46), Whitely (Thompson 72), Ifill (Samuel 46), Odutayo.  

Subs not used: Long, Krauhaus, Webster.  

Referee: Richard Eley  

Attendance: 6,714 (122)