OLDHAM ATHLETIC 1, SWINDON TOWN 3
It was an entirely predictable outcome as Oldham Athletic were beaten at home by Swindon Town as they remain in a battle to retain their EFL status.
The Sky Bet League Two fixture involved Latics, the team with the division’s worst home record, and the Robins who have the best away form.
This was Latics’ sixth home league defeat as they picked up only four points from a possible 24 at Boundary Park.
Swindon have the second worst home record with six points from a possible 21 but, away, it is a totally different proposition as they are unbeaten in eight matches in which they have picked up 20 from a potential 24 which is why they are in the play-off places.
Harry McKirdy gave the visitors the lead in the first half while Ipswich Town loanee Tyreece Simpson scored twice to ensure the team’s best start to a season for seven years.
All Latics, who remain outside the bottom two on goal difference, had to show for their efforts was a late consolation effort from captain Carl Piergianni.
Head coach Keith Curle named one change for the clash between two former Premier League sides with QPR loanee Faysal Bettache returning to the side as Latics went in search of a much-needed win following a goalless draw at Carlisle United.
Luke Southerington and Isaac Modi earned places on the bench for the first time after outstanding performances in the FA Youth Cup victory at Carlisle in midweek.
The Robins enjoyed a large spell of early and in the 20th minute almost went ahead when Ben Gladwin’s cross found McKirdy at the back post, but the striker put his effort wide.
Following that, Jordan Clarke produced a heroic block to keep the scores level. After a scramble inside the six-yard box, Simpson’s shot was destined for the net, but the defender bravely blocked.
Latics should have broken the deadlock when Jamie Bowden’s pinpoint free kick found an unmarked Harrison McGahey inside the penalty area, but he guided his effort wide.
Ben Garner’s side took the lead in the 32nd minute. Ellis Landolo broke down the left before crossing low for McKirdy to fire into the roof of the net from the edge of the six-yard box.
Latics nearly responded instantly as Hallam Hope looked to hit back against his former employer. The Barbadian battled with his marker to win the header, but Jojo Wollcott denied him with a smart save.
Early into the second-half, Swindon almost doubled their advantage when McKirdy picked out the run of Kaine Hayden at the back post, but goalkeeper Jayson Leutwiler managed to deny the wing-back.
After that, Gladwin put Simpson one-on-one with Leutwiler who denied the striker with his feet.
The visitors had the ball in the back of the net again, but Simpson’s effort was ruled out.
Simpson managed to get on the scoresheet in the 79th minute. Reed’s long-range pass found the Ipswich Town loanee and he kept his composure as he raced one-on-one with Leutwiler to slot under the goalkeeper.
Curle introduced Modi, another exciting prospect from the youth team, from the bench with just under 20 minutes remaining and the winger showed glimpses of his promise.
Piergianni powered a header past the goalkeeper in the last minute which sparked belief of a great comeback.
Swindon erased any hope as Simpson netted his second of the game, dribbling in from the left before seeing his low effort find the far bottom corner to round off another miserable aftrernoon.
Oldham Athletic: Leutwiler, Clarke, McGahey, Piergianni, Whelan (Vaughan 74), Hope, Keillor-Dunn, Bowden (Modi 81), Bahamboula, Bettache, Couto. Subs (unused): Southerington, Fage, Da Silva, Diarra, Edwards.
Goals: Piergianni (90) for Oldham Athletic. McKirdy (32), Simpson (78, 94) for Swindon Town.
Attendance: 4,085 (635 visitors).