OLDHAM ATHLETIC 1, COLCHESTER UNITED 2
The natives are becoming increasingly disgruntled following Oldham Athletic’s fourth straight loss as they are still looking for their first points of the season in Sky Bet League Two.
Fans streamed on to the pitch at the final whistle to call for owner Abdallah Lemsagam to quit Boundary Park.
These are worrying times for Latics after a second home league loss as Hayden Mullins’ U’s took the points back to Essex as Keith Curle’s side remains rooted in bottom spot.
Latics made a terrible start and were 2-0 behind in the opening quarter of an hour through a Freddie Sears penalty and Noah Chilvers drive.
Dylan Bahamboula pulled a goal back in the 74th minute, but Latics failed to conjure a much-needed equaliser.
Latics were given a lift as head coach Curle returned to the technical area after recovering from Covid-19.
He named three changes from the loss at Bristol Rovers four days earlier with the introduction of midfielder Faysal Bettache who arrived on loan from QPR.
Latics were behind after nine minutes. Davis Keillor-Dunn dwelled on the ball for too long inside his own area before he was adjudged to have brought Brendan Wiredu, a harsh decision. Sears stepped up to score the penalty, two goals from the spot in two games for the former West Ham United player.
The U’s doubled their advantage when Chilvers, an academy product, dribbled at Latics’ backline with space opening up before drilling a low drive into the far corner.
Oldham should have halved the deficit when Keillor-Dunn raced clear only to shoot straight at goalkeeper Shamal George.
Hallam Hope then had a great chance after latching on to a bad back pass from Luke Chambers. George saved again only for Keillor-Dunn to fire the rebound over the crossbar.
Curle looked for a reaction in the second half as he brought academy products Harry Vaughan and Junior Luamba on as they replaced Nicky Adams and Keillor-Dunn.
In the 74th minute, Latics were handed a lifeline when Bahamboula found the back of the net.
Substitute Vaughan went on a weaving run before picking out the Congo international and he smashed a low shot into the far corner which sparked belief around the ground that Latics might yet take something from the game.
But it was not to be and the U’s had a late chance to add a third goal when a glancing header from Cameron Coxe was well kept out by Walker.
Oldham Athletic: Walker, Adams (Vaughan 46), Clarke, Piergianni, Sheehan, Hart, Bettache, Cisse (Diarra 54), Keillor-Dunn (Luamba 46), Bahamboula, Hope. Subs (not used): Danielewicz, Fage, Whelan, Dearnley.
Goals: Bahamboula, 74, for Oldham. Sears, 9, Chilvers, 13, for Colchester.
Attendance: 3,496 (187 visitors).