BLACKPOOL 2, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 1
A fourth successive defeat in Sky Bet League One shows all is not well for pointless Oldham Athletic.
Their latest loss was at Blackpool where they were again undone by two early goals – they also conceded two in the opening quarter of an hour the previous week against Wigan Athletic.
These are challenging times for manager John Sheridan who could only field three of his permitted five substitutes due to a deepening injury crisis.
And it looks like being a hectic week up to the closing of the transfer window as Sheridan looks to bring in reinforcements.
Latics made an awful start falling behind in the seventh minute when Sean Longstaff fired a 25-yard drive into the top corner.
Cameron Dummigan had the chance to equalise, but volleyed wide before the Seasiders increased their lead after 15 minutes.
A neat one-two on the edge of the box found Kyle Vassell and he struck a low shot past Ben Wilson to give the Seasiders a two-goal advantage.
Blackpool had a spell of dominance and could, have increase their lead as Callum Cooke, Longstaff and Bright Osayi-Samuel all had chances, the latter fooled by a fine save by keeper Ben Wilson.
And on the stroke of half time, Vassell saw a shot deflected wide as Blackpool almost added a third goal.
Latics could and maybe should have been awarded a penalty in the opening minute of the second half.
Dan Gardner’s corner found Peter Clarke who was hauled the ground but the referee awarded the free kick in Blackpool’s favour.
Latics began to control the second half and the momentum started to shift in their favour.
Clarke met a corner after 54 minutes but fellow defender Anthony Gerrard could not steer it goalwards.
Sheridan made a double change with Gerrard and Ousmane Fane making way for Mason Fawns and Kallum Mantack and that had a positive effect for Latics.
On the hour, Mantack’s driven cross was almost turned into his own goal by Ollie Turton, but the ball flew wide.
Minutes later, it was Mantack himself who had a chance to pull a goal back for Latics. Aaron Amadi-Holloway fed the winger, but he dragged his shot wide.
Latics forced a succession of corners but they were susceptible to a counter attack as Vassell raced clear and struck the crossbar from the edge of the box.
Latics deserved a goal for their second half dominance and persistence and they got that after 70 minutes.
Clarke’s ball over the top found Amadi-Holloway unmarked, and his shot was saved by Ryan Allsop, but the ball fell to Darius Osei who fired home.
Mantack made a huge difference on the right hand side, as after 75 minutes, he received the ball at the far post but his goal-bound shot was blocked.
Latics were unable to find an equaliser and in the last 10 minutes, Blackool had chances to restore a two-goal advantage as Viv Solomon-Otabor and Armand Gnanduillet both fired wide.
It was a spirited second half performance from Latics, but the damage was inflicted early in the game and there was no way back.
Oldham Athletic (4-5-1): Ben Wilson; Brian Wilson, Clarke, Gerrard (Mantack 55), Hunt; Dummingan, Fane (Fawns 55), Banks, Gardner, Osei; Amadi-Holloway. Sub (not used): Edmundson.
Goals: Longstaff, (7), Vassell , (15), for Blackpool. Osei, (70), for Oldham.
Attendance: 4,642 (1,647 visitors)