Oldham's EFL Cup campaign ends against Accrington Stanley

Accrington Stanley 3 - 1 Oldham Athletic 

Oldham's Carabao Cup journey came to a premature end with a defeat to Accrington Stanley

Author | Alex W

Stadium | Wham Stadium

View from the stand

The damage was done during a ruthless first-half display from the hosts, who surged into a three-goal lead before the break. Anjola Popoola, Kelsey Mooney and Josh Woods were all on target as Accrington made their superiority count with a clinical spell of attacking football.

Reagan Ogle pulled one back for the visitors after the interval, his deflected strike looping in via Freddie Sass to reduce the arrears. But despite a period of pressure and renewed intent from the Latics, it proved no more than consolation, as John Doolan’s side held firm to book their place in the First Round proper, where they will face Peterborough United.

Oldham had started brightly, moving the ball with confidence, but were caught cold after just ten minutes. A low cross from Mooney found Popoola in space, and the forward made no mistake from close range. Mooney had a goal disallowed shortly after, adjudged to have handled before finishing, but he was not to be denied for long.

His goal did arrive seven minutes later. Charlie Brown’s delivery from a free-kick was nodded down by Farrend Rawson, and Mooney pounced from six yards to double the lead.

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A crowd of 2,000 watches on

Stanley’s third came on the half-hour mark. A speculative effort crashed against the bar and dropped kindly to Woods, whose shot was turned in by Mooney for his second of the night.

Latics offered more after the restart, tightening up at the back and showing greater urgency going forward. Will Sutton produced a crucial challenge to deny Popoola soon after the break, and Ogle’s goal just past the hour gave the travelling support something to cheer.

There were chances to narrow the gap further. Ogle curled a shot just wide after cutting in from the flank, and Jack Stevens squandered a late opportunity after being played in by Oli Hammond.

Accrington remained composed, managing the closing stages with maturity to see out the result. For Oldham, attention now shifts back to the league, with lessons to be learned from a game that slipped away too early to rescue.