LEYTON ORIENT 4, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 0
Oldham Athletic’s wretched start to their Sky Bet League Two campaign continued with a heavy defeat to form-side Leyton Orient.
It was Latics’ sixth loss in seven league games as they slid to bottom spot after new boys Sutton United won their first match.
And it left Latics four points from safety of a position outside the bottom two as it is beginning to look as the campaign will be a battle to hold on to their EFL status amid continued unrest off the field with fans protesting regularly against owner Abdallah Lemsagam.
Aaron Drinan and Tom James gave the O’s a half-time lead before late strikes from Theo Archibald and Harry Smith completed an afternoon to forget for Latics who again were hit by a lengthy injury list.
Head coach Keith Curle made three changes from the heavy home defeat against Barrow, Jordan Clarke returning to the defence and Rafael Diarra started in midfield.
Davis Keillor-Dunn was recalled to the attack, but Dylan Bahambula missed out having featured on international duty for Congo in midweek.
The O’s built a useful lead by striking twice on the break in the space of 10 first-half minutes.
Drinan put them in front in the 16th minute, applying the finishing touch from close range after Archibald had turned defence into attack with a strong run from Latics’ corner.
And James added the second shortly after, Darren Pratley releasing a pass from midfield, allowing the wing-back to cut in from the right and fire past Jayson Leutwiler.
The O’s were a constant threat and they could have had more goals. Harry Smith sent an early header wide before Archibald broke again but this time lifted his effort over the bar.
Latics’ best performer was Nicky Adams who delivered a number of dangerous crosses from the right but they failed to capitalise.
Carl Piergianni was unable to make the most of a chance from a free-kick at the far post and later got his head to a set-piece from Faysal Bettache but directed the ball off target.
Hallam Hope was unable to connect with another cross from Adams after a good run down the right, while Jamie Bowden’s low 20-yard drive was saved by Lawrence Vigouroux.
Adams went off injured at half-time, being replaced by Harry Vaughan.
The 17-year-old was soon involved, displaying clever footwork and good vision as he took the ball out of midfield before teeing up Hope, who sent a curling effort wide of the far post.
Diarra brought a fine fingertip save from Lawrence Vigouroux with a well-struck drive from 25 yards and the Orient goalkeeper also made a stop to deny Hope.
Despite the improvement in their play, Latics conceded again after 75 minutes, Archibald making the most of a mix-up between Clarke and Piergianni scoring with a low angled shot.
And Smith completed a miserable afternoon for the visitors, heading the rebound in from close range after Leutwiler saved an initial effort from Dan Kemp.
Oldham Athletic: Leutwiler, Clarke, Piergianni, Adams (Vaughan 46), Hope, Keillor-Dunn, Fage (Da Silva 85), Jameson, Bowden, Diarra, Bettache (Dearnley 79). Subs (not used): Danielewicz, Couto, Whelan, Luamba.
Attendance: 5,315 (379 visitors).