New Latics boss Mellon is off to a flyer, but club chiefs later condemn 'disorder' at Rochdale

Micky Mellon's first game in charge of Latics was a memorable one as the visitors triumphed in a seven-goal thriller at Rochdale in front of more than 3,000 travelling fans.

This was a match that had everything, a fiercely contested local derby, a debut for the manager, a supportive crowd on the edge of their seats throughout, and of course, the seven goals.

Crucially, it saw Latics win 4-3 and stretch their unbeaten run now to eight matches.

They now sit 10th in the National League table, just two points shy of the play-off places.

Mellon will have seen a performance which left him with plenty of issues good and bad to ponder ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Fylde.

For his first match, Mellon made just one change to the side which beat Altrincham 1-0 in last week’s FA Cup qualifier, with Hallam Hope replacing the injured Brennan Dickenson.

6,722 fans were at the game with the Latics supporters taking up the Crown Oil Arena’s largest stand and just under half of the total recorded crowd.

They valiantly made themselves heard right from the kick-off.

The home side came close to scoring after three minutes with Liam Hogan almost deflecting a shot into his own goal, but Matt Hudson gathered safely.

Almost immediately, at the other end, Hope produced a shot down the middle which Dale keeper Louie Moulden saved.

The end-to-end action was a sign of things to come.

Latics took the lead in the 16th minute when Mark Kitchings’s cross fell to Nathan Sheron who rifled home.

Oldham could have led 4-0 at the break with two good chances for James Norwood and one for Devarn Green.

Norwood’s shot in first half stoppage time appeared to be blocked near the goal line by his own team mate.

Early in the second half, Latics did get a second goal, after 49 minutes, when Kitching’s cross from the left was superbly headed in by Green.

But three minutes later, Dale’s Jimmy Keohane reduced the deficit to 2-1 with a low shot in the box, and, on the hour, the same midfielder Keohane grabbed his second when his shot from inside the box beat Hudson for the equaliser.

That seemed to galvanise Latics and Hope scored the goal of the game on 64 minutes to put Latics ahead once more by skilfully curling in a shot from 20 yards which gave Moulden no chance.

Then Norwood, who had come close several times in the first half, extended the lead to 4-2 on 72 minutes when Hope’s carefully weighted pass allowed him to slip the ball through for his first goal of the game.

But, in the electric atmosphere, Rochdale refused to give up and pulled a goal back with Keohane firing home from a corner on the right with nine minutes of normal time remaining to complete his hat-trick and, once again, reduce the arrears.

It meant a nervy time for Latics, which was not helped by the 18 minutes of added time but, in the end, to the delight of the fans, they hung on for all three points.

Meanwhile, Latics chiefs have since condemned the scenes of 'disorder' inside the Rochdale stadium, which at one point during the game spilled onto the corner of the pitch.

Latics issued a statement this morning (Monday) regarding ongoing police investigations into the scenes.

The Latics club statement read: "Oldham Athletic is working alongside Greater Manchester Police following incidents of disorder at Saturday’s game against Rochdale.

"The club condemns all forms of anti-social and disorderly behaviour and we reiterate our zero-tolerance approach in this regard.

"The club is also awaiting reports from the relevant bodies and will co-operate fully with any investigations which take place."

---

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.