Norwood treble helps Latics to thumping win against Tamworth

A first half hat-trick from striker James Norwood led Latics to a convincing 4-0 victory over Tamworth at Boundary Park as they continued their promotion momentum.

The game was designated as the annual remembrance fixture at Boundary Park with veterans in attendance and the players and crowd of 6,345 showed their respect with the traditional one minute’s silence prior to kick-off.

Latics dominated the game from the outset.

After Mark Kitching and Josh Stones had headed over the bar early on, they deservedly took the lead after 15 minutes.

Stones showed some fine footwork in the box before passing to Norwood who slotted the ball past the Tamworth keeper Jas Singh.

They continued to press forward with Jake Caprice in particular causing problems from the right and their pressure was rewarded on 36 minutes when they were awarded a penalty after Will Sutton was felled giving referee Garreth Rhodes no option but to point to the penalty spot.

Norwood’s penalty, as has happened so often for Athletic in the past, was perfect, as he fired straight down the middle and into the net.

There was still time for a third goal in first half stoppage time when, once again, Caprice was marauding dangerously on the right wing.

He produced an inch perfect cross which Norwood headed in to complete his hattrick.

It was the first time a Latics player had scored a first half hat-trick since Clyde Wijnhard in 2002.

The second half was a less frantic affair although Latics remained always in control and played the majority of the game in the Tamworth half.

Mike Fondop came on for Stones as the strike force continued to look menacing for the Lambs.

Dan Gardner and John Kay then replaced Josh Lundstram and Tom Conlon on 68 minutes, and five minutes later it was Kay who grabbed Oldham’s fourth with the goal of the match, and potentially of the season.

The 27-year-old midfielder won possession inside the Tamworth half, moved the ball onto his left foot and curled a spectacular effort into the left-hand corner to the delight of the Oldham crowd, and victory was cemented.

There was still time for further goal efforts from Sam Clucas and Sutton, whilst at the other end, on 88 minutes, Tamworth substitute Tom Tonks’s shot hit the the crossbar with their first serious goal effort.

The referee’s final whistle signalled an impressive 4-0 victory, a third consecutive clean sheet in the National League and a move up to fourth place in the table.

Latics' assistant manager Gary Brabin was happy with the win.

He said: “Delighted with the result, we are always striving to be the best version of ourselves, there are little things we like to get better at but I think, as a whole, we defended well as a team, created a lot of chances and should have scored more goals.

“We were looking for a complete performance, not just individuals, as a team we wanted perfection.

“Everyone knows their roles and there is good healthy competition for places all over the park.”

Latics are next in action on Saturday when they face fierce local rivals Rochdale at the Crown Oil Arena.

---

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.