BRADFORD CITY 1, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 4
Oldham Athletic’s fabulous win at Bradford City put them back on track for reaching the knockout phase of the Checkatrade Trophy.
After losing at home to Barnsley in their opening group game, this was a much-win fixture and Latics hit back after their home league defeat to Carlisle United three days earlier.
Latics, whose players reportedly belatedly received their wages for September earlier in the day, were too strong for the weakened League One side Bantams who fielded two 16-year-old apprentices in their starting line-up.
There was two goals from form-striker Sam Surridge – it’s nine in nine following his loan move from AFC Bournemouth – while Callum Lang and Mohamed Maouche scored their first goals for the club.
Manager Frank Bunn made changes as Zeuz le la Paz replaced Daniel Iversen in goal as the Dane was on international duty.
There were also starts for Tom Hamer and Maouche, though the Bantams were also far from at full strength.
Latics completely dominated the first half and took the lead after 10 minutes through Lang.
Maouche slid a pass for Surridge who played it across to Lang who found the net with the aid of a deflection.
The hosts almost responded immediately as Jack Payne’s corner was met by Nathaniel Knight-Percival, but he could only divert the ball wide.
Bunn’s men should had had a penalty as captain Peter Clarke was hauled down from a corner, but referee Sebastian Stockbridge waved away the claims.
Latics doubled their lead midway through the half as Maouche got on the scoresheet with an excellent finish.
Dan Gardner had a long-range effort which deflected to Chris O’Grady with Bantams’ goalkeeper Richard O’Donnell in no man’s land and he squared for Maouche who finished well.
Latics had a let off moments later as Payne nicked the ball off Gardner on the edge of Latics’ penalty area.
The ball made its way to David Ball who dragged his shot wide via a deflection, but from the resulting corner Knight-Percival should have scored as he put over a free header from six yards.
Gardner forced a decent save out of O’Donnell as the midfielder took aim from distance with the Bantams’ goalkeeper pushing it around the post.
Latics could have had a third as O’Grady played a lovely backheel into Surridge and the Bournemouth loanee poked it past O’Donnell, but it stopped on the line and the hosts were able to clear.
The second half had a different feel as Bradford looked to get back into the game and de la Paz had to be at his best to deny Knight-Percival.
It was always going to be a set piece for Bradford to score and a minute later Kai Brunker rose highest to head home past de la Paz.
However, Latics restored their two-goal cushion after some superb play from O’Grady down the left.
O’Grady turned Thomas Isherwood inside out before producing a beautiful cross onto the head of Surridge who wasn’t going to miss.
Surridge should have scored moments later as substitute Jose Baxter found Clarke from a free kick with the Latics’ captain heading back across to Surridge who couldn’t direct the header on target.
Latics had their fourth when O’Grady picked up the loose ball and feed Surridge who cut back inside on his right foot and drilled it beyond O’Donnell.
The striker should have completed the hat-trick with two more chances in the dying minutes.
He collected a long ball from Rob Hunt, before forcing a save out of O’Donnell and then he had another chance which he took around the Bantams’ goalkeeper before firing into the side netting.
Oldham Athletic (4-4-2): de la Paz; Hamer, Clarke, Edmundson, Taylor (Hunt 29); Maouche, Gardner (Missilou 71), Lyden (Baxter 45), Lang; O’Grady, Surridge. Subs (not used): McFarlane, Benteke, Graham, Branger-Engone.
Attendance: 1,015.