Oldham impress against Dundee United

Dundee United 0 - 0 Oldham Athletic

Latics produced a composed and assured display against Scottish Premiership side Dundee United, taking another positive step in their pre-season preparations.

Author | Alex W

Stadium |  Tannadice Park

They settled into the game early, controlling possession with confidence and carving out several promising chances. Jack Stevens showed quick feet to wriggle free before finding Kieron Morris, whose header drifted just wide.

Despite making ten changes on the hour, Latics maintained their rhythm and cohesion. Micky Mellon’s side looked well-drilled throughout, offering encouraging signs with the new campaign fast approaching.

Donervon Daniels played a key role in a well-worked early move, turning neatly before slipping in Kai Payne, who fed Reagan Ogle down the right. The full-back’s cross aimed for Mike Fondop was well cut out by Sam Cleall-Harding.

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At the other end, Will Ferry appeared to be in on goal before squaring for Sapsford, only for the move to be halted by the assistant’s flag.

Payne continued to impress, gliding forward on the quarter-hour and testing Yevhenii Kucherenko with a low strike from the edge of the area.

Latics created another opening when Morris whipped in a dangerous cross, with Fondop lurking, but the Dundee keeper did well to gather under pressure.

There was a brief scare for the home side when Kucherenko failed to claim a high ball cleanly, spilling into the path of Stevens. The forward teed up Fondop, but he couldn’t keep his effort down.

The visitors threatened from a set-piece as Ferry’s delivery found Krisztian Keresztes, though the defender headed over.

Latics resumed strongly after the interval, Stevens again at the heart of things with a sharp turn and clever pass to pick out Morris, whose header missed the target.

Oldham's boss then mixed things up a bit

Mellon rang the changes on the hour, giving the rest of his squad a chance to impress. The game began to open up, and Latics continued to look dangerous.

Ivan Dolcek controlled well in the area before sending a low strike just wide, while Keresztes once more got on the end of a free-kick but failed to convert.

Joe Garner then flicked a ball into Kian Harratt’s path, only for the referee to pull play back for a foul.

As full-time neared, Max Watters twice came close to finding a winner, bending an effort narrowly wide and later drawing a strong save from Tom Donaghy. Dolcek also saw a shot deflected behind, while Kane Drummond’s late cross almost picked out a teammate at the far post.

All in all, it was a solid run-out for Latics against top-flight opposition, with plenty for Mellon to be encouraged by as the season draws closer.