OLDHAM ATHLETIC 1, CARLISLE UNITED 3
Oldham Athletic’s home defeat by Carlisle United was hardly surprising as it was set against a backdrop of unrest at Boundary Park.
Little more than 48 hours earlier it is claimed the players refused to train as a protest against the late payment of wages.
And though there were pictures on the club’s website of the players training the day before the game, it was hardly the ideal preparations.
Carlisle, who had lost their three previous games, ought to have been there for the taking as Latics looked to extend their unbeaten run to five games.
But former manager John Sheridan and ex-player Anthony Gerrard were to emerge as victors as Latics slipped to 12th place in the table, having a fortnight earlier been in the play-off spots.
Latics’ manager Frank Bunn said he took responsibility for the loss as he switched from 4-4-2 to 3-5-2 as his side had failed to score in its two previous games.
He said: “I tried to change things around, and it didn’t come off, but we will learn from it.
“We were uncertain and only looked more comfortable when we went back to the way of playing that the lads are more familiar with.”
Goals from Hallam Hope, Ashley Nadeson and Jack Sowerby gave the Cumbrians a 3-0 lead inside the opening hour.
Though Ishmael Miller pulled a goal back, it was too little, too late to prevent a third home league defeat of the season.
Latics, who had top scorer Sam Surridge back after injury, Jose Baxter starting as an attacking midfielder and Sam Graham as a third central defender, struggled early on and Carlisle almost took an early lead after Hope nicked the ball off George Edmundson on the edge of the Oldham penalty area and set up Sowerby whose shot was blocked by Sam Graham before Macaulay Gillesphey dragged his shot wide.
The Cumbrians took the lead after 21 minutes when Jerry Yates’ cross found Gillesphey at the back post and he in turn headed back across to Hope who had the simple task of heading in from two yards.
Latics responded well as Dan Gardner dragged a shot wide on his left foot before Miller powered his way into the box and forced a good save from goalkeeper Adam Collin.
Sowerby then put an effort wide as Latics were lucky only to be 1-0 down at the break.
Carlisle doubled their lead 10 minutes into the second half as Hope crossed for Nadeson to smash a shot into the roof of the net.
It was three a minute later as the ball was played into Sowerby who turned well in the box before placing a shot into the bottom corner.
Latics looked to respond as substitute Callum Lang forced a save from Collin, before Surridge headed wide from an Andy Taylor cross.
Latics had one back when Lang played Miller through on goal and he slotted home for his second goal of the season.
Lang himself forced a fine save out of Collin who tipped over the Wigan loanee’s header over the crossbar as Latics couldn’t force another home comeback.
Oldham Athletic (3-5-2): Iversen; Graham (Branger-Engone 60), Clarke, Edmundson; Hunt, Missilou (Lang 60), Gardner, Baxter, Taylor; Miller (O’Grady 72), Surridge. Subs (not used): de la Paz, Dummigan, Nepomuceno, Maouche.
Attendance: 4,739 (679 visitors)