Crewe Alexandra 0 - 1 Oldham Athletic

Oldham Athletic

Oldham Athletic made it three wins out of three under the stewardship of interim manager Richie Wellens with victory over Crewe Alexandra in the Checkatrade Trophy.

In a game of the proverbial two halves, Oldham dominating the first and Crewe getting the upper hand in the second, Jack Byrne, with a 25-yard strike just before half time, gave Latics the win in the Group D game.

Wellens made two changes to the side which beat Portsmouth on Saturday; Abdelhakim Omrani and Queensy Menig came in for their first competitive starts for Latics.

Crewe struggled for possession as Oldham dominated the first half.

Latics came close to an early goal when Doyle was on the end of a Byrne cross but Crewe goalkeeper David Richards saved well.

Omrani put Doyle through on goal but his shot towards the bottom corner was tipped round the post by Richards.

Menig also went close, beating a defender before forcing another save from Richards.

With minutes to half time, Oldham finally got the goal their dominant first half play deserved. Menig played the ball to Doyle; he laid it into the path of Byrne who struck from 25 yards to put Latics ahead.

Crewe came out with more purpose in the second half and started to cause Oldham problems.

A scramble in the goalmouth gave Latics a scare as they struggled to clear their lines.

Crewe midfielder George Cooper curled a shot towards the top corner but Placide made the save. A similar effort was deflected for a corner, which Placide claimed under a lot of pressure.

Placide was tested again but stood up well to deny Crewe substitute Callum Ainley from close range.

A Michael Raynes header at the back post was headed off the line by Rob Hunt.

Crewe threw everything they had at Oldham in the closing minutes and Zoumana Bakayogo volleyed over before Placide had to make a double save to ensure Latics picked up the three points.

Crewe Alexandra: Richard, Ng, Bakayogo, Walker (Dale 82’), Raynes, Porter (Dagnell 77’), Bowery, Cooper, Lowery, Kirk (Ainley 61’), Stubbs.
Subs not used: Garratt, Nolan, Pickering, Reilly.

Oldham Athletic: Placide, Wilson, Gerrard, Bryan, Hunt, Gardner, Omrani (Banks 82’), Fane, Byrne, Menig (Obadeyi 70’), Doyle.
Subs not used: Wilson, Clarke, Hamer, Fawns, Nepomuceno.

Attendance: 976 (177 visiting supporters)