Despite a strong second-half performance, the academy fell to a narrow defeat at Oldham Athletic on Saturday afternoon, bringing to an end a three-game unbeaten run.
Substitute Dallas Omoruyi’s second-half header looked like it may rescue a point for Jamie Crowther’s side after a slow start to the game, only for the home side to swiftly retake the lead, leaving County unable to find another response.
County came flying out of the traps last time out against Walsall, racing into a 4-0 lead at half-time, but were unable to hit those same heights in the first-half against a resolute Oldham side who started on the front foot. Just a few minutes in their #9 had a clear run at goal, only for defender Ellis Farrar to step across and make a superb last-ditch tackle, deflecting the ball up and over the bar.
Goalkeeper Billy Blake was soon called into action, a turnover high up the pitch leading to a shot from the edge of the area required a strong right hand to turn around the post.
The early pressure finally told for the Latics, an in-swinging free-kick from the left-hand side finding the unmarked #20, who headed down and past the grasp of Blake for the game’s opening goal.
Half-time: Oldham Athletic 1-0 County
Into the second-half and County were slowly starting to dominate possession and territory, although they were again indebted to Blake early in the half for keeping them in the game, another effort from the edge of the D forcing another fine stop from the County ‘keeper down to his right-hand side.
Having kept themselves in the game, The Hatters were rewarded for their efforts with a well worked equaliser, Keane Barugh spreading the ball to the right-hand side for Jack Atkinson, who delivered the perfect cross for Omoruyi to nod home at the back post.
It proved to be a false dawn for Crowther’s side however as Oldham soon restored their advantage, their #11 driving into the penalty area before managing to squeeze a shot past Blake from a tight angle – leaving County with it all to do again.
The response, in fairness, was strong – Keane Barugh seeing a shot from distance deflect just over the crossbar before Omoruyi came so close to his second, an instinctive shot on the spin that flew inches wide of the top corner.
After constant County pressure in the final fifteen minutes we did force one last opportunity, Omoruyi heading a corner past the ‘keeper but just past the post, with the last touch of the game – close, but not to be on the day for our young Hatters.
Full-time: Oldham Athletic 2-1 County
Starting XI: Billy Blake; Jack Kenny; Ben Darby; Ellis Farrer; Luke Partington; Harry Rogers; Cody Johnson; Keane Barugh; Jack Atkinson; Fabio Kibonda; Ashton Mee.
Subs: Jack Jones; Dallas Omoruyi; James Barry; Kingston Fligg; Dan Harrison.
