BRENTFORD 7, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 0
There was to be no repeat of Oldham Athletic’s memorable cup exploits of recent and not-so-recent times at the Brentford Community Stadium.
It was a sobering night as Latics were outclassed by effectively Premier League side Brentford’s second string in the third round of the Carabao Cup.
The Bees made 11 changes from the side that started the win at Wolves three days earlier so goodness knows what would have happened had it been their strongest line-up.
But there were impressive displays from the likes of four-goal Finnish international striker Marcus Forss and DR Congo capped Yoane Wissa who netted twice to knock on the first-team door.
Embed from Getty ImagesForss showcased his ability and class with a first-half hat-trick with Wissa getting his name on the scoresheet while Raphael Diarra found his own net as the Bees stung Latics with five first-half goals.
Forss added another early into the second half before Wissa finished the rout with the best effort of the seven as Thomas Frank’s side comfortably progressed to the next round of the cup.
Latics’ head coach Keith Curle made three changes from the goalless draw at home to Hartlepool United three days earlier as he handed starts to Zak Dearnley, Jamie Bowden and Dylan Fage.
Latics made an awful start as the Bees were ahead after three minutes. Carl Piergianni brought down Wissa, a summer recruit, inside the area before Forss confidently slotted the spot-kick down the middle.
Shortly after, Frank saw his side double their advantage through Forss. Once again, Wissa caused the backline endless problems as his effort hit the upright with the marksman tapping into an empty net.
In the 38th minute, the hosts extended their lead as the impressive Wissa found himself one-on-one with Jayson Leutwiler and slotted past the goalkeeper.
It went from bad to worse for Curle’s side as Sanam Ghoddos’ drilled cross hit Diarra inside the six-yard box before finding the back of his own net.
Forss completed his hat-trick before the break as Mathias Jensen produced fantastic vision to put the forward clean through on goal.
At the break, Curle showed faith in academy products as Harry Vaughan, Benny Couto and Vani Da Silva were all brought on and they had a fearless attitude throughout the second half.
Couto produced fantastic work down the left which resulted in him racing through on goal and his excellent striker forced Alvaro Fernandez into a smart save to deny the promising youngster.
Forss picked up his fourth of the game as he found space in the box before firing home off the crossbar.
Bees’ substitute Mads Bidstrup nearly added another when Ghoddos laid the ball to him on the edge of the area, his initial effort was blocked before he snatched at the rebound and shot over.
In the 87th minute, Wissa completed the scoring as he produced a powerful overhead kick from inside the box and into the bottom corner.
Oldham Athletic: Leutwiler, Clarke, Piergianni (Couto 46), Whelan, Keillor-Dunn, Dearnley (Da Silva 46), Fage, Jameson, Bowden, Diarra, Bahamboula (Vaughan 46). Sub (not used): Danielewicz.
Goals: Forss, 3, 16, 44, 60, Wissa, 38, 87, Diarra 43 own goal.
Attendance: 12,819 (599 visitors).