CHELTENHAM TOWN 3, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 0
Oldham Athletic completed an unwanted hat-trick at Cheltenham Town where they suffered their third Sky Bet League Two defeat in a row.
After the losses to Salford City and Scunthorpe United, this was another setback as Latics remain fifth bottom.
They still have a decent cushion between them and the teams below them, especially the bottom two, but there is still no room for complacency.
Head coach Dino Maamria admitted the hectic festive schedule has caught up with them.
He said: “We had a good run of eight games, winning four, drawing three and losing one.
“We had a settled team playing in a certain way and then you get the mad period over Christmas with four games in two weeks which stretched our team and I have three or four key players missing.”
Maamria made three changes from New Years Day recalling Gevaro Nepomuceno, back from a loan spell at Chesterfield, fit-again Christopher Missilou and Scott Wilson.
The players to miss out were Filipe Morais, Jonny Smith and Jean-Louis Akpo Akpra.
After a bright start by Latics, in which they had some half chances, Cheltenham almost snatched the lead through Hull City loanee Max Sheaf who couldn’t find the target.
Michael Duff’s side continued to attack as central midfielder Chris Clement set up winger Ryan Broom who shot into the side netting.
Cheltenham took the lead in the 32nd minute following good play by Tahvon Campbell and he provided the assist for midfielder Sheaf to find the top corner.
Latics nearly responded instantly as Gevaro Nepomuceno beat his man on the left-wing and delivered a cross which goalkeeper Scott Flinders punched to Zak Mills and the right-back smashed a shot over the crossbar from the edge of the box.
Cheltenham thought they had doubled their lead shortly before half time though debutant Alfie May but referee Brett Huxtable had already blown for handball.
The hosts continued the second half where they left off as May played the ball to Sheaf on the edge of the penalty area but his shot flashed just wide.
They suffered a blow when Flinders was taken from the field on a stretcher following a collision with Wilson.
Latics came close to equalising in the 64th minute from a corner when Alex Iacovitti’s header was blocked as was David Jones’ follow-up shot.
The Robins finally made it 2-0 in the 75th minute through May’s tap-in following good work by Campbell.
Cheltenham scored their third in the 95th minute as Ryan Broom was allowed too much time inside the Latics area to produce a skilful turn and slot his effort into the corner past goalkeeper Zeus de la Paz.
Goals: Sheaf (32), May (76) and Broom (90) for Cheltenham.
Oldham Athletic (4-4-2): de la Paz; Mills, Hamer, Wheater, Iacovitti (Eagles 67), Missilou (Branger-Engone 79), Sylla, Jones (Maouche 72), Nepomuceno; Azankpo, Wilson. Subs (not used): Woods, Fage, N’Guessan, Akpa-Akpro.
Attendance 3,029 (216 visitors).