Oldham RU grind out hard-earned victory

Oldham hosted a pre-match dinner for sponsors this weekend, ahead of a tightly contested spectacle between Oldham and Fleetwood, which the hosts won 19-16.

Before kick-off, there was a moment of reflection at Manor Park as the club remembered two former first XV players, Jed Hooley and Pete Shaw, with a minute’s silence.

Oldham opted to play up the bank in the first half and, despite facing the wind, started with promising momentum.

Strong carries from back-rowers Brian Massey, Josh Semple, and the much-welcomed returning Sean Carter set the tone early on.

However, it was the visitors who looked more threatening in the opening stages.

With a combination of powerful carries and slick handling, Fleetwood worked their way deep into Oldham territory. Despite the best defensive efforts of Isaac Dobbs, Jack Taylor, and Tom Davies, the pressure eventually told as Oldham were penalised for offside.

The penalty was struck sweetly - first blood to Fleetwood.

Fleetwood weren’t finished there.

From the restart, they pressed forward with determination.

Oldham, who in recent weeks had prided themselves on their set pieces, found themselves matched by a strong Fleetwood pack that began to take control up front.

Neither side was willing to give an inch, and a huge collision midway through the half sparked the “fireworks” everyone expected - resulting in a yellow card for a player from each side.

Fleetwood took advantage from the resulting penalty, working their way up field before crossing for the game’s first try. The conversion missed.

Oldham, not to be outdone, began to build momentum of their own.

Strong carries from Dean McEwan, Chris Shaw, and Semple provided a solid platform.

Scrum-half Lewis Ward controlled the tempo well, linking smartly with Jordan McEwan to unleash the backline.

Owen Hewson and Louis Fitton both made good ground into the Fleetwood defence.

The pressure eventually paid off when Oldham were awarded a penalty, and confident winger Alex Jobson made no mistake from the tee.

Both sides continued to trade blows in a fiercely contested first half, and the score remained unchanged going into the break.

At half-time, coaches Jim Forster and Jack Sayle urged their side to reset, regain structure, and make use of the wind advantage in the second half.

Oldham started brightly after the restart. Strong carries from Carter, Massey, Dobbs, and Ferrier punched holes through the middle, before quick hands from Jordan McEwan, Davies, and Hewson released the flying winger Jobson down the left.

He finished superbly to score Oldham’s first try of the afternoon - and calmly added the extras from out wide to give Oldham the lead.

Fleetwood responded immediately, applying pressure straight from the restart.

Despite strong defensive work from Rhys Jones, Carter, and Ferrier, Oldham conceded a penalty in front of the posts.

The kick appeared to be over - so much so that the touch judges raised their flags - but the ball struck the upright and bounced out, to the disbelief of the Fleetwood players.

It was a real let-off for Oldham.

The hosts cleared their lines, but Fleetwood continued to attack relentlessly.

After several phases of strong Oldham defence from Hewson, Davies, and Semple, a marginal offside gave Fleetwood another shot at goal.

This time, they made no mistake, reclaiming the lead.

Oldham knew they had to raise their game.

Carter leapt brilliantly to recover the ball from the kick-off, and the home side strung together several promising phases, directed well by Ward and Jordan McEwan.

Fleetwood’s discipline wavered, and Jobson coolly slotted another penalty to edge Oldham back in front.

As both teams began to tire, an uncharacteristic Fleetwood error deep in the Oldham 22 allowed Jordan McEwan to clear downfield.

Chasing hard, Fitton, Conroy, and Davies forced a handling error from the Fleetwood full-back.

With the try-line beckoning, Jordan McEwan spotted a gap, but an incredible last-ditch tackle from a Fleetwood defender dislodged the ball to prevent a certain score.

Fleetwood cleared their lines, only for Davies to produce one of his trademark 50:22 kicks, once again putting Oldham in a strong attacking position.

Quick hands and patient build-up play forced another mistake from Fleetwood, whose winger attempted an ambitious cross-field kick after calling a mark - only for his teammates to be caught offside.

Jobson, in imperious kicking form, stepped up once more to extend the lead.

The visitors came again, refusing to give in.

Sustained pressure deep in the Oldham 22 eventually forced another penalty, which Fleetwood opted to turn into a 5-metre scrum.

Their pack held firm, allowing the number eight to pick and go to crash over.

The conversion was missed, setting up a tense final five minutes.

What followed will live long in the memory at Manor Park.

In previous seasons, Oldham may have crumbled in moments like these - but not this time.

With the referee calling last play, Oldham worked their way downfield patiently, phase by phase.

Dobbs, Ferrier, and Carter carried strongly, each hit-up edging closer to the Fleetwood line.

Then came the magic.

A loose pass from Ward to Jordan McEwan was regathered, and he found Jobson deep in the pocket.

From 35 yards out, Jobson struck the ball sweetly.

Players and spectators held their breath as it sailed straight between the posts.

Manor Park erupted. The final whistle blew.

Fleetwood players sank to their knees in disbelief, while Oldham celebrated a famous 19-16 victory.

Oldham have now surpassed their total number of wins from last season and will look to build on this momentum, determined to keep Manor Park a fortress for the remainder of the campaign.

Fleetwood named Sean Carter as their Player of the Match for his relentless work in attack and defence.

However, for Oldham, there could only be one choice - scoring all 19 points and producing that unforgettable winning moment, Alex Jobson was the deserved Man of the Match.

Oldham will look to continue their fine form next week as they travel to Bury in the next round of the National Cup.

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