SHEFFIELD UNITED 2, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 0
If only Oldham Athletic had a striker of the quality of Billy Sharp then they would not be rooted to bottom spot in Sky Bet League One.
Sharp, who struck both goals for the Blades in their victory against Latics at Bramall Lane, was effectively the difference between the teams.
He provided the cutting edge that Latics lacked as they failed to find the net for a 15th time in 22 league games.
Indeed, Sharp has scored 16 goals in League One in the current campaign which is four more than Latics’ team total that stands at a measly 12.
That is why they are rock bottom and facing an almighty battle to stave off the considerable threat of relegation.
After the home defeat by Southend United, manager Stephen Robinson made three changes as Brian Wilson, Cameron Dummigan and Darius Osei won call ups in a 3-5-2 formation that mirrored the Blades’ system.
Wilson took over in the centre of defence from Cameron Burgess, Dummigan replaced Ollie Banks, who was ill, in midfield while Osei was preferred to Freddie Ladapo up front.
Osei started the game brightly and had Latics’ first chance of the game, but his shot was comfortably saved by Blades’ keeper Simon Moore.
The goalkeeper had to be alert again as Latics almost took the lead through former Sheffield United midfielder Ryan Flynn.
It was from a knockdown in the penalty area which created the chance, Flynn struck sweetly on the volley but Moore managed to tip his effort over the crossbar.
It was a positive start from Robinson‚Äôs team that was taking the game to Chris Wilder’s Sheffield side.
However, the hosts began to take control and they should have taken the lead on the half hour as Sharp peeled off left-back Charles Dunne at the back post but his header hit the defender and fell wide of the post.
Peter Clarke brought down Matty Done 25 yards from goal but Mark Duffy’s effort was well saved by goalkeeper Connor Ripley.
He was forced into another stop minutes later as Jack O’Connell’s far post header was saved well.
Billy Mckay almost capitalised on a mix up in the Blades defence five minutes before the break but O’Connell managed to get back and deny the striker.
Mckay had one final opportunity before the break, volleying goalwards inside the area but his shot went over the crossbar.
Sheffield had the first chance of the second half but Dunne did well to block Duffy’s effort from 18 yards.
The Blades brought on Leon Clarke and on the hour as they looked to make the breakthrough.
Sharp went close firing over from the edge of the box minutes before Latics had a great chance when Josh Law’s free kick narrowly cleared the crossbar.
Sheffield eventually took the lead through Sharp as the striker pounced on a through ball into the penalty area and volleyed into the far bottom corner past Ripley.
Robinson made a change and brought on Ladapo for Osei immediately after the goal and five minutes after his introduction he almost found the net.
The ball sat up perfectly for him 25 yards from goal and he aimed towards the top corner but Moore scrambled across to save.
Duffy forced Ripley into a smart save after 83 minutes but the Blades added a second in the 89th minute as Sharp grabbed his second.
There was an appeal for a foul on goalkeeper Ripley but the referee waved play on and Sharp converted the loose ball from 12 yards.
Clarke could have converted a third for the Blades in additional time but struck over from 12 yards as Latics came away from Bramall Lane empty handed.
Oldham Athletic (3-5-2): Ripley; Clarke, Wilson, Dunne (Croft 80); Law, Green (Winchester 88), McLaughlin, Flynn, Dummigan; Mckay, Osei (Ladapo 73). Subs (not used): Kettings, Burgess, Edmundson, Banks.
Goals: Sharp (72, 89) for Sheffield.
Attendance: 25,821 (538 visitors)