OLDHAM ATHLETIC 3, CARLISLE UNITED 0
Harry Kewell’s new-look Oldham Athletic side gave the latest manager a perfect start to his reign at Boundary Park.
Latics enjoyed a comfortable home victory in the first round of the Carabao Cup against a Carlisle United side that included former players Dean Furman and Lewis Alessandra.
Latics unbelievably had seven debutants in the starting line-up, nine if you include last season’s loanees Carl Piergianni and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson who have made last season loan deals permanent switches.
Tom Hamer and Dylan Fage were the only two contracted players from last season still in the side that started.
Latics made the breakthrough in the 29th minute when Ben Garrity headed home a Bobby Grant free kick,
The provider turned goalscorer eight minutes later as the hosts doubled their lead.
An errant pass from the Cumbrians’ captain Nick Anderton resulted in Grant being put through on goal from halfway before coolly slotting home.
Latics nearly made it three just before the interval following great work from winner Conor McAleny whose cross was cleared only as far as Borthwick-Jackson whose drive crashed against the crossbar.
At the start of the second period, Ian Lawlor was called into action twice to deny Jon Mellish and Aaron Hayden whose header was acrobatically turned over by goalkeeper Ian Lawlor.
Chris Beech’s side should have pulled a goal back in the 75th minute when former Bristol Rovers striker Gavin Reilly contrived to miss a free header from six yards.
Latics thought they had added another goal late on as substitute Zak Dearnley’s chip released McAleny who found the net, but he was adjudged offside.
However, they made certain of victory in the 89th minute when Callum Whelan set up McAleny with a clever pass and found the net with an angled shot which went through the legs of Farman.
Latics: Lawlor, Hamer, Jombati, Piergianni, Borthwick-Jackson, Whelan, Fage (Dearnley 73), Garrity, Grant (Da Silva 89), Keillor-Dunn (Barnett 80), McAleny. Subs (not used): Woods, Rowe, Jameson, Hough.
Goals: Garrity (29), Grant (37), McAleny (89) for Oldham.