Five-star Latics cruise to big win against Aldershot

Latics banished their opening day blues at Southend with an impressive 5-1 home victory over Aldershot Town at Boundary Park.

Two goals each for new boys, striker James Norwood and Brennan Dickenson, together with a first goal of the season for midfielder Ben Tollitt put the visitors to the sword in an impressive display which obviously pleased manager David Unsworth.

Before the match, owner and chairman Frank Rothwell addressed the crowd, and began first by welcoming Wendy Frizzell, the wife of legendary manager, the late Jimmy Frizzell.

He also praised Oldham council and urged the fans to applaud them.

He said: “I would like you to show your appreciation for Oldham Council because they gave us a brand-new playing surface.

“Also, on the 23rd August, we welcome back the rugby as well” and went on to joke “the beauty of the rugby is you can have a pint and watch the game as well.”

Finally, he was full of praise for National League supporters.

“Since we have been in the National League, we have always been made welcome wherever we go so I would like us to always welcome our away guests”, added Mr Rothwell, before urging the Oldham supporters to applaud the 251 Aldershot away fans for coming to the match.

The Latics side which started the game showed three changes from last week.

Tollitt came in, Hobson dropped to the bench, Dickenson replaced the injured Dan Ward in midfield and Kieron Freeman, whose signing for Oldham was only announced on Friday, took the place of the suspended Will Sutton.

So, the team consisted of a back four in front of keeper Magnus Norman of left back Mark Kitching, centre backs, - captain Liam Hogan and Charlie Raglan (who was making his home debut) - and Freeman at right back.

The midfield four contained a full debut for Dickenson together with Nathan Sheron, Mark Shelton and Tollitt, whilst Joe Nuttall partnered Norwood up front.

Strikers Kurt Willoughby, Mike Fondop and Alex Reid had to settle for places on the bench.

Latics dominated the first half with nifty passing the order of the day before Nuttall set up Norwood for a goal after 32 minutes.

Five minutes later Dickenson grabbed his first and Oldham’s second with a 30-yard screamer.

Tollitt put Latics 3-0 ahead just before half time with a superb shot across the keeper, giving Jordi Van Stappersheof absolutely no chance.

The Latics team were rightly given extremely warm applause by a crowd of 7,591 at the break.

Early in the second half Aldershot came into the game and pulled a goal back fortuitously on 74 minutes when Kitching’s headed attempted clearance beat Norman and found his own net.

Shaun Hobson replaced Freeman in the full back role a minute later and there was a minor scare when Raglan had to help keeper Norman with a clearance off the line.

Latics seized the advantage again, after substitute Kwame Thomas was sent off for a foul on Tollitt and a second bookable offence, by scoring twice in four minutes.

The impressive Nuttall put Norwood through to slide the ball pass the keeper on 86 minutes and, three minutes later, Dickenson made it five by chipping the hapless Van Stappersheof to produce a 5-1 scoreline which equals their best win in the National league since Unsworth’s team achieved the same result at Dorking last season.

Kurt Willoughby and Dan Garner made late appearance as substitutes as Latics continued to press until the very end.

Latics host FC Halifax Town tomorrow night (Tuesday).

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