MELLON’S MEN ON THE CHARGE
ANATHAN Sheron inspired comeback had boss Micky Mellon beaming after proudly seeing this latest example of his Oldham Athletic side moving in the right direction.
In spite of a comfortable first half for Solihull, who led through Mark Beck’s close-range finish, a much-improved Latics showing in the second 45 demonstrated the positive steps Oldham have taken since Mellon’s October appointment.
This result, which leaves Oldham three points outside the playoff places and with three wins from four in the National League, Mellon handed over all of the praise to his troops.
“We let ourselves down first half, but the players went out second half and responded and played with more of a tempo, aggression levels and quality that you need to find most of the time to get results in this division,” Mellon said.
“We’ve played better than that before, but what we’ve got to be able to do is start putting two performances and halves together.
“But we’re definitely heading in the right direction because we now know we have a style of play that if we hit the levels of playing at, we can cause the better teams in this division problems.”
True to the words of the Athletic boss, it was Solihull who had the lion’s share of chances early on, eventually leading to their 27th-minute opener – a side-footed finish from two yards courtesy of the well-placed Beck.
In a game of debutants, Ipswich Town loanee Nick Hayes – an arrival hours before – impressed between the sticks, saving with his legs to deny Mark Kitching’s far-post header in first-half stoppage time.
Oldham emerged after the interval a different beast and carried out the instructions of their manager to the letter, netting two goals in as many minutes to swing the pendulum dramatically in their favour.
Wigan Athletic loanee Josh Stones got the goal he merited on 63 minutes to start the comeback, smartly turning and tucking into the bottom-right corner with Hayes motionless.
Then, before Moors could raise their guard again, Sheron flicked a right-flank centre into the far corner with aplomb, sparking pandemonium in the away terrace.
Eight minutes from time, Sheron doubled his account to make sure of victory with a whipped effort that bent back inside the post at the last, in spite of Josh Kelly’s late pen.
Disheartened Moors boss Andy Whing was left searching for answers afterwards and said: “That was nowhere near it, we were too soft and they bullied us second half.
“We have to be desperate to get a result, I didn’t see that desperation today and that hurts more than anything.”
Nathan Sheron (Oldham)
ATT: 1,829
ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★
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