IT’S A WHOLE LOTTA FON AS LATICS BREAK AWAY DUCK
MIKE FONDOP smashed a sublime hat-trick as Oldham Athletic empatically sealed their first away win of the season at Dorking Wanderers.
The former Wrexham and Chesterfield striker struck twice in the first half after James McShane has given Dorking an eighth minutre lead.
Peter Clarke added a third on the stroke of halftime before Fondop and Ellis Chapman completed the rout.
“Full credit to the players. We’re a work in progress but we’re improving,” said delighted Latics boss David Unsworth.
“I said to the staff this week that someone will get a hiding from us soon with the chances we create.
“I didnt enjoy the first 15 minutes, we didn’t chase, didn’t get stuck in, but it’s a 95 minute game and for the remainder of the match it was a brilliant performance.
“I’m pleased of course for Mike getting a hat-trick as well, on his day he is unplayable.
Marc White’s wands will have had no idea what was to follow once McShane put them in front with his 16th goal of the season. Seb Bowerman latched on to a good through ball down the left and cut back for McShane who, after seeing his initial effort saved by Magnus Norman, reacted quickly to bundle the ball home at the second time of asking.
Oldham took time to settle and it was against the run of play when they responded on 18 minutes – Fondop diverting the ball home from close range after Ben Tollitt’s shot was kept out well by the legs of Dan Lincoln.
Fondop then put the Latics in front in spectacular fashion on 34 minutes, flicking the ball up as he came in from the right channel and lashing a volley into the top corner.
Dorking continued to see more of the ball but without being able to penetrate the Oldham backline, and went into the interval a further goal behind; Clarke stabbing the ball home after the Wanderers defense failed to clear their lines from a corner.
A double substitution at half-time didn’t changfe Dorking’s fortunes and but just before the hour Fondop completed his treble, breaking into space vacated in the right channel, cutting inside, and dispatching a clinical low finish beyond Lincoln.
And a few minutes later it was five – Bobby-Joe Taylor’s pass across the back intercepted by Chapman, who strode forward before calmly lifting the ball over Lincoln into the net.
Disappointed Wands boss White said: “From our perspective it was very poor. We’re 1-0 up, in control, but despite the spells of possession we start conceding, defensively it’s just not good enough.
“The second goal is a brilliant strike, but individuals have to do better, simply too many mistakes.”