Three unanswered Oldham goals handed Fleetwood’s youth team their fifth straight defeat at the Chapel Road training ground
By Sam GillilandThree unanswered Oldham goals handed Fleetwood’s youth team their fifth straight defeat at the Chapel Road training ground.
The young Latics took a first-half lead when Kyle Hardman rifled past Oliver Martin, before Jordan Bove struck twice to seal three points for the home side.
Town could have levelled through Jordan Lazenbury moments into the second-half, but the midfielder’s effort off target summed up another disappointing day for the young Cod Army.
Academy manager Steve Carlin gave newcomers Anthony Ikenwe, Jack Williams and Danny Vile a starting spot alongside current first-year squad players, and all three impressed in front of their coaches.
Although Oldham started the game stronger, and were unlucky not to take the lead inside ten minutes when Mike Brewster smashed a low drive against the post from a corner.
Fleetwood goalkeeper Martin had a few nervous moments during the first-half, and was particularly fortunate to save Bove’s effort after finding the striker with a pass intended for Vile.
But Town’s luck ran out 20 minutes in, as Hardman fired past Martin from the edge of the area after Chris Sutherland’s cross caused panic in the Cod Army’s defence.
Town created few chances in a subdued first half for the visitors, with their best effort falling to Robbie Bromley on the edge of the area who mishit his attempt far and wide.
Oldham were worthy of their single goal lead going into half-time, and doubled the score within ten minutes of the restart.
Sutherland found space on the right to force a fine save by Martin in goal, but Bove reacted quicker than anybody else to smash in the rebound for Oldham’s second.
Dominic Barrett could have pulled a goal back for Fleetwood with 15 minutes to go, but the defender fired a free header over the crossbar from Bromley’s free kick.
And Bove completed a comfortable win for the Latics by meeting Jack Truelove’s cross from the left with a tap in to the far corner.
The result leaves Fleetwood with the chance to further analyse their current squad, as they look to build a side capable of going again in the North West Youth Alliance next season.
