MATCH REPORT: Oldham Athletic 3-1 Cambridge United

In an all too familiar script, Oldham were involved in an archetypal game of two halves as they came out victorious against Cambridge United on a cool afternoon in Lancashire.

Cambridge got off to a flyer when Maris submitted his contender for goal of the season. The young midfielder hit a scorching shot from 30 yards that swerved into the top right-hand corner – he’ll be proud of that one.

There wasn’t the desired response from Oldham and Cambridge were given far too much room to play their game. Alex Palmer is only on loan at Oldham for 1 week, in an emergency deal to cover for the loss of Iversen (international call up) and de la Paz (injured), but he was forced into making a smart save in the 17th minute. Jabo Ibhere was released and found himself one on one with the keeper; the journeyman striker, however, couldn’t quite place the ball around him – he should have done better.

Oldham’s best chance of the first half came in the 42nd minute. Dan Gardner swung a fine ball into the penalty area from a freekick that wasn’t dealt with. The ball fell to Andy Taylor but the left-back failed to connect properly with the ball and it was cleared. Cambridge went in deserved leaders at half time.

The Latics came out much better in the second half and it took them just 10 minutes to level the score when Edmundson converted his bullet header. Gardner curled the ball into the box and the young defender leaped high to smash his header into the left of the goal.

Oldham began to play as a team and this started to give Cambridge more to think about. The introduction of Surridge and Maouche for the home side brought about a more direct style of play. They did, however, still struggle to breakthrough the U’s defence. The Latics were therefore thoroughly relieved when they managed to take the lead thanks to a spectacular error from Forde. The goalkeeper found himself trying to replicate the works of Manuel Neuer when he knocked the ball past Ishmael Miller but was roundly put back in his place when Lyden passed the ball into the net from 50 yards.

Five minutes later, Oldham extended their lead. Sam Surridge has been missing from the Oldham side for several weeks and he reminded the fans and management of his worth when he played a perfect through ball for Callum Lang, who shrugged off the defender and smashed the ball into the roof of the net.

Job done. Oldham comfortably saw the game out to record a valuable home win.

FULL TIME: Oldham Athletic 3 (Edmundson 62’, Lyden 75’, Lang 80’) – 1 Cambridge United (Maris 8’)

Oldham Athletic: Palmer, Dummigan (Surridge, 70 mins), Taylor, Edmundson, Lyden, Gardner (Maouche, 66 mins), Miller, Lang, Branger-Engone, Hunt, Clarke

Cambridge United: Forde, Halliday (John, 49 mins), Taylor, Taft, Carroll, Deegan, Lewis, Maris, Brown, Ibehre, Azeez (Amoo, 70 mins)

Attendance: 3,818 (290)

words Chris Stringer, D3D4 Oldham Athletic correspondent