Match Report | Notts County 3-1 Latics

Latics tasted defeat on the road for the first time this season after falling to a 3-1 defeat to Notts County at Meadow Lane. 

It was a lightning start from the hosts, Alassana Jatta latched onto a quick throw-in and his effort into the box was deflected into net by an unfortunate Donervon Daniels. 

It was two before the half hour, Tyrese Hall cut in from left and produced a curling effort that left Mat Hudson with no chance. 

The sides went in at the break with the scoreline the same, but the hosts had even more joy just after the interval. 

The dangerous Jatta nicked the ball from Kai Payne and fired at goal forcing the ball through the legs of Hudson. 

Latics did get a consolation when Michael Mellon latched onto a long ball forward from Hudson to lob Kelle Roos, but that was all Latics could fashion, and it was defeat on the road. 

The opener came before 10 minutes, a quick throw-in from the left by Jodi Jones set free Jatta, he attempted to put the ball into a dangerous area however a big deflection from a Latics defender allowed the ball to loop over Mat Hudson and into the back of the Latics net. 

The hosts’ pressure continued, five minutes later a fantastic reflex save from Hudson denied Jodi Jones from inside the area. 

Latics’ first attack came after 15 minutes; Rod McDonald had to be alert to clear Jake Caprice's teasing ball looking for Kai Payne. 

Jatta was looking dangerous for the hosts, Hudson had to get down low well to save an effort from the striker with his feet as the game seemed to be going from one end to the other. 

Joe Quigley will have thought he was in on goal after 20 minutes, Lewis Macari throwing himself at the ball to stop his goal-bound effort. 

The chances continued to flow, Jones received the ball in space just before the half hour and had a go, his effort had Hudson scrambling, but it was wide of the mark. 

The hosts doubled their lead when Tyrese Hall received the ball on the left and sit his sights at goal. He curled an effort with precision into the bottom right corner leaving Hudson with no chance. 

Latics started to get a grip of the game after the second and limited the hosts’ chances, but they went into the break two goals behind. 

It was worse for Latics just six minutes into the second period, the dangerous Jatta dispossessed Payne inside the Latics half and broke. His effort was through the legs of Hudson to add to Latics’ misery. 

Latics had one back just before the hour, Hudson’s quick goal kick was pinpoint towards Michael Mellon and he dinked his effort over Roos to get one back for Latics. 

That gave the away side some much needed urgency and they grew into the game with a 10-minute spell of continued pressure, however Latics couldn't muster up any notable opportunities. 

The hosts always looked dangerous however, Hudson had to be alert once again to produce a smart save, tipping an effort away from substitute Conor Grant.

County looked for their fourth, but Hudson denied Grant again moments later. The winger had time and space in the area and looked destined to score but the goalkeeper made himself big and kept his effort out. 

The game produced no more chances of note and after four minutes of additional time the referee’s whistle blew to signal defeat on the road for Latics.

Notts County: Roos, McDonald, Bedeau, Jones (Bennetts 46), Iorpenda (Kouhyar 64), Palmer (Norburn 90+4), Robertson, Tsaroulla, Hall (Grant 64), Macari, Jatta (Dennis 64). 

Subs not used: Griffiths, Aljofree. 

Oldham Athletic: Hudson, Caprice (Hannant 79), Daniels (Sutton 26), Monthe, Robson, Woods, Conlon, Payne, Drummond (Fondop 46), Mellon, Quigley. 

Subs not used: Donaghy, Hammond. 

Referee: Oliver Mackey 

Attendance: 11,418 (2,066)