All smiles for Rooney after first Latics goals

WHILE one striker called Rooney remains embroiled in a transfer saga, another opened his account for Oldham Athletic – much to the delight of manager Lee Johnson.

Adam Rooney struck twice, while James Dayton also scored to earn the Latics their second league win of the season against Port Vale, who scored through Jennison Myrie-Williams.

Johnson insists his team played like ‘winners’ and shared Rooney’s relief in the striker finally scoring for Oldham, following his complicated switch during the summer.

“It’s nice for Rooney to get off the mark. The first goal was a great header and with the second, he is just in the right area,” Johnson said.

“I read a good interview in one of the papers, where Rooney said he had confidence in himself and that he’s always scored goals.

“I am delighted with a win.We have been talking about being winners all week and the players stood up to that.

“I don’t know if it was a penalty, but Jonathan Grounds can’t have too many complaints. But Mark Oxley did well, showed good character and dug us out.”

Rooney scored in the 15th minute with a powerful header in to the bottom corner after Cristian Montano whipped in a dangerous cross.

Port Vale responded shortly after the half-hour mark with Myrie-Williams cutting inside and curling beyond Oxley.

Lee Hughes earned a penalty for the Valiants after falling under the challenge of Grounds, but the former Latics frontman tamely struck at Oxley’s legs.

Oldham restored their advantage before the hour mark with Jonson Clarke-Harris’ shot superbly blocked on the line, only for Rooney to easily tap-in the rebound.

The Latics extended their lead in the 77th minute, as Dayton emulated counterpart Myrie-Williams with a delightful curling finish.

Port Vale boss Micky Adams rued the missed opportunities as he thought his side were capable of winning.

“I am disappointed and there are key moments that stand out, like the missed penalty and the handball appeal in the second-half,” he said.

“The key decisions did not go our way. I could not see us losing it to be honest, but we switched off and we failed to hold up the ball in attack.

“We’re missing players performance-wise and certain personnel have not come to the fore.

“We need to analyse that and get those players back in form. They may be lacking confidence or carrying a knock, but we will get to the bottom of it.”