Latics' perfect start checked by Fylde

Latics' strong start to the National League season was temporarily slowed down when they were held to a 1-1 draw by AFC Fylde at Boundary Park, in front of a crowd of 5,682.

Latics made three changes to a starting side that had already chalked up back-to-back victories over BraIntree and Wealdstone.

Captain Tom Conlon was ruled out with an illness, Reagan Ogle and Oli Hammond dropped to the bench with Jake Caprice, Josh Kay and Josh Lundstram coming into the starting line-up for the first time this season.

It was a game that Latics could quite easily have won as they dominated large parts of the game.

But, despite several early half chances to open the scoring, they were rocked on 36 minutes when the visitors scored against the run of play.

Striker Nick Haughton, who has already scored five goals this season turned provider, laying the ball on to Joe Riley who expertly curled the ball into the corner past 'keeper Matt Hudson’s left hand.

A goal down at the break, Oldham continued to press forward for an equaliser in the second half, but they had to wait until the hour mark before Man of the Match, defender Manny Monthe, capped a superb display by rifling a shot from just outside the box which proved too powerful for Fylde 'keeper Ben Winterbottom.

Still Latics pressed forward, desperate to maintain their 100% league record.

They came close to going ahead twice. Mike Fondop headed just over and Monthe produced a fine save from Winterbottom, denying him a second.

At the other end, some fine goalkeeping from Hudson prevented Whelan and Ustabasi from capitalising on goal.

Manager Micky Mellon said: “Their goal was against the run of play and the boy has finished it well, credit to him for that.”

He continued: "Definitely in the second half we came out and showed a lot more and, if there was going to be a winner, it was going to be us.

“We had most of the ball, we had a wee bit more urgency, the centre backs were committing people and slipping balls through.

“We kept pegging away in a way that we wanted.

"We kept trying to do things that we want to do as a team."

He was also full of praise for Manny Monthe, adding: “If we can go and drive into the gaps and keep going on like Manny did and be dangerous then that is what we want to try and do.

"We are playing a new system and we are learning all the time.

“It was a hard-fought game and also to come from a goal down at home and very nearly win it you have to say well done to the boys.

"We are pleased with seven points out of nine.”

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