OLDHAM ATHLETIC 1, FLEETWOOD TOWN 2
Manager Richie Wellens’ decision to shake up his Oldham Athletic side after the heavy defeat at Plymouth Argyle didn’t pay off as they were beaten at home by Fleetwood Town on Boxing Day.
It was the first back-to-back losses Wellens had experienced as manager in another game where they failed to turn territorial advantage and multiple chances into goals.
And only a late goal from centre-back Kean Bryan provided any cheer after Davante Cole and Ashley Hunter had given the Cod Army a 2-0 lead.
Wellens axed Brian Wilson, Ryan McLaughlin, Ryan Flynn and Gevaro Nepomuceno after the loss to Plymouth as Bryan returned after illness and there were recalls for Rob Hunt, Tope Obadeyi and Aaron Amadi-Holloway.
Amadi-Holloway created the first opportunity of the game. He intercepted a stray Fleetwood pass and found Craig Davies on the edge of the box but his shot cleared the crossbar.
Chances were few and far between for both teams but Jack Byrne and Dan Gardner had sniffs at goal without seriously threatening.
The only real opening they had in the first half was in the final five minutes.
Bryan intercepted a through ball and cleared towards Byrne. He found Amadi-Holloway on the left who played a first time cross to Davies but the striker was unable to find the net.
That was the best it got for both sides as it remained goalless after an underwhelming opening period.
There was a change of referee at the break as Mark Heywood suffered an injury and he was replaced by as assistant.
Bryan tested keeper Chris Neal with a long-range effort, but from the resulting attack Fleetwood took the lead.
Markus Schwabl received the ball out wide and sent in a low cross which was converted in the middle by Cole.
Latics needed a response and almost found an equaliser after 57 minutes.
Davies used his strength on the edge of the box to hold off his marker, he laid the ball back to Dan Gardner who fired agonisingly wide.
Latics would rue that missed chance as Fleetwood doubled their lead 10 minutes later.
Cole dispossessed Byrne and raced through on goal, he elected to cross to Hunter at the back post and he made no mistake to put the Cod Army two goals ahead.
Wellens brought on Ryan McLaughlin and Courtney Duffus and both made an impact.
Ashley Eastham was lucky to only come away with a booking after he cynically brought down Amadi-Holloway 25 yards from goal.
Latics made their visitors pay as Bryan curled a beauty into the top corner to reduce the arrears and they went in search of a leveller with eight minutes left.
Davies turned and shot but Chris Neal made a save while in additional time Byrne was denied twice as Latics finished empty handed.
Oldham Athletic (4-4-2): Placide; Dummigan, Gerrard (Duffus 77), Bryan, Hunt; Fane, Gardner (Nepomuceno 63), Byrne, Obadeyi (McLaughlin 75); Holloway, Davies. Subs (not used): Wilson, Clarke, Green, Flynn.
Goals: Bryan (82) for Oldham. Cole (50)‚ Hunter (67) for Fleetwood.
Attendance: 4,578 (209 visitors).