FLEETWOOD TOWN 5, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 2
In a winner takes all final group game, Oldham Athletic were comprehensively beaten at Fleetwood Town who progressed to the knockout phase of the Leasing.com Trophy.
It was a disappointing night for Latics as Fleetwood finished runners-up to Accrington Stanley.
The importance of the game was reflected by head coach Dino Maamria’s strong team selection, though 15-year-old striker Zak Emmerson was handed a first start.
By contrast, Fleetwood manager Joey Barton made eight changes, giving Peter Clarke the captaincy in his first game against Latics since leaving in the summer.
The Cod Army made an electrifying start scoring three goals in 14 minutes.
The first came from Clarke with an unchallenged header from a corner.
The second with the next attack as Josh Morris tapped in from close range, entering the box and running onto the pass that was placed perfectly from the right.
There was soon another goal to celebrate after Zeus de la Paz prevented Paddy Madden with an instinctive save.
Jack Sowerby received the ball on the edge of the box and he bent an effort into the bottom corner.
Jonny Smith who has been in fine form, pulled a goal back in the 25th minute with his third of the season, a superb strike.
Receiving the ball in space on the left, the on-loan winger unleashed a shot that flew in over the head of Fleetwood keeper Alex Cairns.
After the frantic start the game calmed down before Barton’s side added a fourth.
Losing the ball in midfield, Latics were caught out by a counter attack. Madden threaded a superb pass into the path of Wes Burns who slotted home under the body of de la Paz.
The opening 45 ended with Alex Iacovitti’s effort being tipped over the crossbar.
Maamria made two changes at the break with Filipe Morais and Chris Eagles making way for Mohamed Maouche and Scott Wilson.
Wilson immediately made his mark as he shot against the near post.
But Fleetwood added a fifth goal in the 51st minute through Madden’s shot across the face of goal.
As the hosts looked for a sixth, Kyle Dempsey first clipped the crossbar from a short corner on the hour mark before de la Paz prevented Morris with a great one-on-one double save.
The hosts kept coming forwards but wasted a number of chances, the most notable coming through the unmarked Madden who headed wide from a few yards.
Latics scored their second with 20 minutes remaining. Substitute Desire Segbe Azankpo bundled the ball over the line after a scramble in which Iacovitti’s blocked shot fell into the path of the Benin internationals path.
De la Paz pulled off another save in the closing stages as Burns’ effort was parried by the keeper.
Goals: Clarke (9), Morris (11), Sowerby (14), Burns (40), Madden (51) for Fleetwood. Smith (25), Azankpo (78) for Oldham.
Oldham Athletic (4-2-3-1): de la Paz; Mills, Iacovitti, Stott, Hamer; McCann, Sylla; Morais (Maouche 45), Eagles (Wilson 45), Smith; Emmerson (Azankpo 65). Subs (not used): Smith-Brown, Adams, Gaskell.