OLDHAM ATHLETIC 3, MORECAMBE 1
Dino Maamria starts his reign as Oldham Athletic head coach with victory against Morecambe in a Sky Bet League Two basement battle at Boundary Park.
Goals from Mohammed Maouche, Desire Sebge Azankpo and substitute Jonny Smith lifted spirits after only one win in the opening nine league matches cost Laurent Banide his job.
The win, described by former Stevenage manager Maamria as a “brilliant performance”, certainly lifted spirits after a challenging start to the season.
Maamria made two changes from Banide’s last game as Zeus de la Paz replaced the injured Gary Woods in goal while Zac Mills was recalled in defence at the expense of Dylan Fage.
Mills, named man of the match, was right back with Tom Hamer switching centre back and Alex Iacovitti switching to the left-back spot vacated by Fage.
Latics started the game brightly with Mills having an early effort on goal after being set up by Filipe Morais and Johan Branger-Engone whose back heel released Mills who shot straight at goalkeeper Barry Roche from a tight angle.
Moments later, Morais raced down the right wing before crossing to Christopher Missilou but he couldn’t keep his header down.
At the other end, Morecambe’s John O’Sullivan was gifted a free header inside the penalty area from a corner, but he couldn’t place his attempt on target.
Mills drove at the visitors’ defence and released Maouche whose shot was saved by Roche.
Latics took a 33rd minute lead through as Branger-Engone found Mills on the right with a free-kick and the right-back delivered a delightful cross which was headed home by Maouche.
Soon after the restart, Latics doubled their lead when Mills produced a pinpoint cross which landed at the feet of Azankpo and he kept composed before firing into the top corner.
Aaron Wildig tried his luck from outside the box for the Shrimps, but it was comfortably caught by de la Paz.
Maouche nearly got his second of the game in the 66th minute as he dribbled clear before unleashing his strike, but Roche just about kept it out.
Morecambe pulled a goal back in the 78th minute after AJ Leitch-Smith played a low cross across the box and it found Shaun Miller who slotted home.
Latics nearly responded straight away, but Branger-Engone’s strike from at the edge of the box went narrowly wide of the target.
Smith sealed all three points for Latics in the 89th minute as he was played through on goal by Branger-Engone and the winger smashed a shot past Roche into the bottom corner.
Oldham Athletic 4-1-4-1): Zeus de la Paz; Mills, Hamer, Wheater, Iacovitti; Sylla; Moraise (Smith 70), Missilou, Maouche, Branger-Engone, Azankpo. Subs (not used): Zabret, Smith-Brown, Sefil, Stott, Eagles, Wilson.
The goals: Maouche (33), Azankpo (51) and Smith (89) for Oldham. Miller (78) for Morecambe.
Attendance 3,305 (275 visitors).