Fondop strikes as Latics make it back-to-back wins

A header eight minutes from normal time by Mike Fondop - his first goal of the season - secured a 1-0 victory and back-to-back victories for Latics at a rain-soaked Boundary Park.

Last season’s leading scorer pounced to turn in Tom Conlon’s pinpoint cross minutes after his fine header had rattled the crossbar earlier to give the crowd of 6,712 a deserved first home victory.

It was an exhilarating performance from an Oldham side buoyed by their first win at Cambridge last week, and in all areas of the pitch they looked solid.

From the moment Pett fired over in the first minute they were always on the front foot.

Bromley had started the season well and were unbeaten, but were always made to feel second best as Latics piled on the pressure.

An unchanged Latics side had some lively encounters in the first half.

Michael Mellon and Fondop both produced low shots early on as Latics midfield controlled the game and could count themselves unlucky not to be ahead at half time given the control in the centre of the park.

With a resolute defence mopping up any danger and lively performances from Pett and Conlon in particular, Latics always looked likely to take the lead.

Mellon had the ball in the net on the hour, but Fondop was penalised for a foul in the box.

On 80 minutes Fondop came the closest to scoring in the game thus far when a move he originally started eventually ended with Conlon’s cross finding the striker’s head but with his goal bound effort seemingly beating the Bromley defence it frustratingly came off the crossbar.

Then two minutes later Fondop’s goal lit up the stadium.

It was not over though, as Bromley actively sought an equaliser and but for the heroics of goalkeeper Mathew Hudson, making his 100th appearance for Latics, they would have done so.

First, he saved superbly from Ben Thompson and then Marcus Dinanga.

It was a first victory for Latics over Bromley to move them up the League Two table and which clearly pleased manager Micky Mellon.

“There was a lot of quality involved," he said.

“They (Bromley)are a really good team and it makes it very difficult.

"They are really well organised.

"We never got disappointed because it wasn’t the game of our dreams at times and I honestly believe that we deserved the victory against a good side.

“We did our jobs at the back to get a really valuable win.

“We deserved the goal. We kept knocking on the door and I think on the balance of chances we had the most."

Next week Latics are on the road again when they make the trip to Cheltenham next Saturday looking for their third successive win and to extend their unbeaten away record.

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