In the FA Cup, Oldham Athletic had a chance. While Latics failed to push the door wide open and instead had it closed on them in the competition this year, Micky Mellon took some satisfaction from leaving it ajar.
In the build-up, the new Latics manager and his players discussed how their first round tie at Newport County was an opportunity to put themselves to the test against a League Two team and see how they fared.
As far as barometers go, it was not inconclusive, but given the nature of the game, it was also possibly not a realistic assessment.
Mellon stated in his post-game press conference that he felt the game lacked the spark that the competition is known for. It was a very flat game on the whole I think, considering it was the FA Cup,” said the former England captain. While there were moments that reminded him of what he needed to work on to improve his team, most notably passing, finishing, and the first of Shaun McLoughlin’s two goals, there were also parts that he was pleased with.
And he felt he’d seen enough to convince him that the distance between Latics and Newport wasn’t too great.
“I can be honest and say I didn’t think there was a massive amount between the two teams,” he said. I’d say we had the better chances, but I’ll say that I want my eventual Oldham team to be better.” I want to develop it and improve it. I want to improve it, to make it better, and that’s why I was brought in, to either improve it by making the players better or to make the team better by bringing in players.
I didn’t think there was much difference between the two teams, but I expect the team to improve over time. “I’d like to see more.”
If they had scored first, the outcome might have been different. After getting a sight of goal from outside the area, James Norwood was presented with the opportunity but shot wide.
Five minutes later, Newport were ahead when McLoughlin perfected a training ground move when he met a cross at the far right post and fired across Mat Hudson.
There was an opportunity for Joe Nuttall to equalise before the break, and Alex Reid after, but Nuttall’s header was well saved by Nick Townsend, who denied Reid just after the hour – two minutes after he had replaced Nuttall.
Omar Bogle proved to be a menace to the Latics’ backline, but it was McLoughlin who sealed the tie with a low, long-range strike into the bottom left corner 10 minutes from time.
“If we keep giving away that first goal and you’re not clinical when you get the opportunities you’re going to make it difficult for yourself,” said Mellon.
“But what I was most disappointed with was the passing. I thought that we never strung any passes together really until about 10 minutes before half-time and then we looked like we were progressing up the pitch and looking a bit threatening.
“It never enabled us to put a real dent in them, although I keep saying I think we had some good chances.
“I know they’re ifs, buts and maybes but they’re the opportunities you’ve got to take if you’re going to give yourself any kind of momentum going on from that.”
