OLDHAM ATHLETIC 0, MAN UNITED UNDER 23 1
Oldham Athletic were beaten by Manchester United U23s in their final pre-season friendly.
Reds’ striker Callum Gribbin scored the only goal of the game in the final 13 minutes from the end of a game dominated by Latics.
Manager John Sheridan fielded what was arguably his strongest side in the opening period while there was a raft of changes in the second half as squad players, youngsters and trialists were used.
Still without a goalkeeper and with Niklas Bolten returning to Germany, Latics used two trialists between the posts, Cardiff’s Ben Wilson in the first 45 minutes and former Dundee and York player Kyle Letheren in the second.
Trialist winger Gyamfi Kyeremeh, who showed up well against Girona, again impressed in the second half.
Latics dominated the opening half and ought to have established a healthy lead.
United keeper Kieran O’Hara pulled off a fine save after four minutes to prevent Craig Davies finding the net with a header.
Ryan McLaughlin and Paul Green were the next to go close, but both fired over.
Green ought to have scored after half an hour when he lifted the ball over the keeper but it went the wrong side of the post.
Manager John Sheridan made a host of changes at the break, including the introduction of his son Jay at left back.
United went close to breaking the deadlock after 53 minutes when Matty Willock curled a shot narrowly wide.
Latics thought they had gone ahead when Davies found the net, but the assistant raised a flag as he judged the ball had gone over the byline.
Two quick chances followed as Amadi-Holloway struck just wide on the hour mark, whilst trialist Kyeremeh took aim from distance and O’Hara had to turn the shot over the crossbar.
United took the lead completely against the run of play after 77 minutes through Gribbin who found the bottom corner with a low shot from inside the penalty area.
Latics almost equalised in the final minute through Sheridan junior, but his header was well saved by O’Hara.