FONDOP IS A SCOURGE OF WANDS YET AGAIN

MIKE Fondop was the match winner as Oldham Athletic extended their winning run to three matches with this narrow victory over Dorking Wanderers at Meadowbank.

Fondop netted a hattrick in the corresponding fixture last season and returned to haunt the Wands again with his 41st-minute strike enough to keep the Latics in the play-off places.

But visiting boss Micky Mellon was indebted to goalkeeper Matthew Hudson and his defence, who weathered heavy pressure from the hosts in the second half.

“First half I felt we were good, second half not so much,” Mellon said.

“Over the course of the season different games will ask you different questions and I thought our three centre backs and keeper were magnificent for us today.

“I would like to have seen us do a bit more up top, but ultimately it’s a clean sheet and a good win away from home.”

Oldham began the brighter and controlled much of early play. Dorking defender Haydn Hollis blocked an early effort from Will Sutton before James Norwood struck marginally wide after Wanderers surrendered possession on the edge of their box.

Marc White’s Wands turned the tide as the half went on though and took over command of possession. Sub Bobby-Joe Taylor forced Hudson into a save not long after replacing the injured Matt Briggs, but it was the Latics who broke the deadlock just before half-time – Fondop clinically firing the ball into the roof of the net after Wanderers struggled to clear their lines following a corner.

Hudson then produced excellent back-to-back saves to deny Niall McManus and Charlie Carter just in front of goal during firsthalf stoppage time, and following the introduction of Jason Prior after the restart, Wanderers stayed on the front foot.

Hudson denied the Dorking top scorer just past the hour with an outstanding reaction save at close range, the stopper also keeping Seb Bowerman’s rebound out with his legs.

Defensivve pair Shaun Hobson and Liam Hogan provided timely headed clearances in the penalty box before Carter did put the ball in the back of the net in the closing stages, only for his effort to be chalked off for

offside.

Unable to salvage the point which would prevent a third straight home defeat, White told The NLP: “It’s an infuriating one for us today, We dominated the second half and their keeper has made an incredible save to deny Jason Prior.

“I think Oldham will acknowledge it’s a smash and grab, but we are disappointed with the goal conceded, we should have done better defensively.

“We can’t feel sorry for ourselves though, we need to keep working hard and carry the positives forward.” STAR MAN: Matthew Hudson (Oldham) ATT: 2,594 ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★ REFEREE: Ryan Atkin