OLDHAM ATHLETIC 5, NORTHAMPTON TOWN 1
Oldham Athletic recorded their biggest win of the season with the 5-1 demolition of lowly Northampton Town at SportsDirect.com Park.
Jack Byrne scored a brace while Tope Obadeyi, Gevaro Nepomuceno and Craig Davies also found the net in a dominant display.
Manager Richie Wellens made three changes to the side which beat Bradford City midweek.
Ousmane Fane, Rob Hunt and Byrne returned to the side and the latter gave Latics a dream start.
The midfielder played a one-two with Hunt on the edge of the box and he curled an effort into the top corner to give Latics the lead in the third minute.
Eoin Doyle had an effort ruled out for offside while Dan Gardner’s shot was well saved by former Latics’ keeper David Cornell.
Northampton also had their moments as Regan Poole curled a shot narrowly wide while keeper Johny Placide denied Ash Taylor.
Latics doubled their lead after 27 minutes through Obadeyi who headed home Byrne’s corner at the near post.
With time running out in the first half, Latics found a third through Byrne.
He found space 18 yards from goal and his shot deflected beyond Cornell to give Latics a comfortable cushion going into the second half.
However, two minutes into the second period, Northampton Town pulled a goal back through Sam Foley who seized on a defensive mistake to reduce the deficit to 3-1.
Northampton sensed a way back into the game and Placide pulled off a stunning one-handed save to deny Matt Grimes.
Latics scored their fourth goal on the hour to seal the win through Nepomuceno.
It was great work between Byrne and Doyle to create the goal as the two exchanged a one-two which released the latter through on goal.
He attempted to chip Cornell who made the save but it fell into the path of Nepomuceno who bundled the ball over the line for his first goal of the season.
Latics almost made it five mid-half when Doyle met a Nepomuceno cross, but volleyed inches wide of the post.
Latics were comfortable and played out the last 20 minutes of the game professionally.
They even increased their lead in the final minute of additional time as substitutes Aaron Amadi-Holloway and Davies combined.
Holloway fired in a cross to Davies at the back post and the striker fired into the top of the net to seal a comfortable win.
Oldham Athletic (4-2-3-1): Placide; Dummigan, Bryan, Gerrard, Hunt; Fane, Gardner; Nepomuceno (Davies 86), Byrne (Amadi-Holloway 88), Obadeyi (Flynn 77); Doyle. Subs (not used): Wilson, Wilson, Green, Menig.
Goals: Byrne (4, 45) Obadeyi (27), Nepomuceno (60), Davies (90+3) for Latics. Foley (47) for Northampton.
Attendance: 3,532 (332 visitors)