OLDHAM ATHLETIC 0, SWINDON TOWN 2
Oldham Athletic tumbled into Sky Bet League One’s relegation places following a costly defeat by fellow strugglers Swindon Town at SportsDirect.com Park.
A first home league victory still eludes Latics whose lack of firepower was again their undoing. They have managed to score only four league goals in nine league games, a glaring failing.
Three points from a possible 15 at home is also a damning statistic for Latics who look to have a tough season ahead of them.
And despite Swindon have lost their three previous games, and pressure mounting on manager Luke Williams, they secured a much-needed win through goals from Jonathan Obika and Brandon Ormonde-Ottewill.
Manager Stephen Robinson made one change to his side which drew 0-0 with Coventry City last weekend as Lee Croft replaced Brian Wilson as Latics lined up 4-4-2 as opposed to 3-5-2 at the Ricoh Arena.
Swindon dominated the first half with Nathan Thompson and Raphael Rossi-Branco having chances before the Robins took the lead after 18 minutes.
After a flowing move, Obika received the ball on the edge of the box, took a touch and fired a shot into the bottom corner to give the visitors the lead.
Latics had an opportunity to equalise soon after, but Josh Law’s free kick flew wide.
Obika’s overhead kick on the half hour mark was saved by Latis’ keeper Connor Ripley before Latics almost managed to get back into the game.
After good work on the left by Freddie Ladapo, the ball was cut back to Lee Erwin inside the penalty area but the striker’s shot was blocked by a Swindon defender.
The striker had another chance late in the half as he received the ball in space in the penalty area but keeper Lawrence Vigouroux saved comfortably.
Robinson made two changes at the break as Ousmane Fane and Darius Osei were introduced in place of Croft and Marc Klok and it was Latics who were unfortunate not to equalise minutes.
The ball found Ollie Banks in the centre, he was allowed to drive forward into space but his fierce effort went inches past the upright.
The midfielder almost turned provider minutes later as his cross to the back post was headed wide by captain Peter Clarke.
As Latics were just starting to build some momentum, against the run of play, Swindon extended their lead.
The ball found Ormonde-Ottewill in the centre and he fired through the legs of Ripley to put the Robins two goals ahead.
Latics were struggling to find a foothold in the game and Swindon looked the more likelier to extend their advantage.
Just after the hour mark, Clarke was forced to clear the ball off the line from a header by Lloyd James.
Ripley also had to be alert and kept the scores down as he saved efforts from Ormonde-Ottewill and Conor Thomas before making a wonder save from Obika.
Latics almost found a way back into the game from a set piece as Banks’ free kick from 25 yards was well saved by Vigouroux.
Late on Ripley again did well to keep the scores down, this time palming away Yaser Kasim’s free kick from 25 yards.
Oldham Athletic (5-4-2): Ripley, Law,Clarke, Burgess, Dunne; Croft (Osei 46), Banks, Green, Klok (Fane 46); Erwin (Mckay 56), Ladapo. Subs (not used): Kettings, Wilson, Flynn, McLaughlin.
Goals: Obika 18, Ormonde-Ottewill 55 for Swindon Town.
Attendance: 3,403