Match Preview: Oldham Athletic (H)

It’s a return to home action for AFC Fylde as they take on Oldham Athletic in a local clash at Mill Farm.

The Coasters will be looking for back-to-back home wins after running out 2-0 winners over Wealdstone last time out on home soil.

Goals from Nick Haughton and Ashley Boatswain ensured Fylde earned a first home win since the 2-0 win over Ebbsfleet United in December.

It’s the second meeting between the two sides are Fylde were unlucky to not leave Boundary Park with all three points back in August. The Coasters were held to a 1-1 draw by the Latics after Joe Riley opening the scoring with a stunning curled effort from 25 yards out.

Opposition Dugout: Micky Mellon

Micky Mellon was appointed as Oldham Athletic manager in October 2023.

Taking over from David Unsworth, Paisley-born Mellon has managed over 700 games in his 15-year management career – guiding Fleetwood Town and Tranmere Rovers to promotions from the fifth-tier.

The midfielder became a key player for Blackpool in the same team as Coasters Head Coach Beech, making 138 appearances in all competitions under Sam Allardyce’s management.

Later spending time at Tranmere and Burnley, Mellon was part of the Clarets side who were promoted as Second Division runners-up in 1999/2000.

Returning to Tranmere for a second time permanently in 2001 following a previous loan spell at Rovers away from Turf Moor, Mellon turned out 115 times. 

Later stays at Kidderminster Harriers, Witton Albion and Lancaster City saw Mellon move into coaching.

After retiring, Mellon coached at Lancaster and Burnley’s youth teams before leading Fleetwood Town to two promotions in 2010 and 2012 from the Conference North up to the Football League for the first-time in the Cod Army’s history.

Departing Highbury in December 2012, Mellon was back in work the same month at Barnsley as assistant manager.

Mellon added another promotion in his first year at Shrewsbury Town in May 2015, leading the Salop to promotion from Sky Bet League Two. 

His stay at the Shrews was followed by a Prenton Park return in October 2016. During a successful four-years on the Wirral, the club won to back-to-back play-off promotions under Wembley’s arch in 2018 and 2019 from the Vanarama National League to Sky Bet League One.

A campaign in his native Scotland followed with Dundee United, Micky was back at Rovers in May 2021 and the 52-year-old’s next role saw him appointed at Oldham last October.

One to Watch: Josh Lundstram

Lundstram joined the Latics in June 2023 after signing from fellow National league side Altrincham.

The midfielder started out at Crewe Alexandra where he was sent out on loan to a number of clubs including the likes of Nuneaton Borough, Kidsgrove Athletic and Solihull Moors.

The 25 year old then signed permanently for Alty in 2022, featuring in all of their league games in the 2022-23 season before being named Player of the Year for all of the supporters, players and manager’s award.

After later winning the National League Player of the Season at the North West Football Awards, he would move onto Boundary Park in June 2023.

This season, Lundstram has five goal contributions to his name, scoring against the likes of Solihull Moors and Hartlepool. He’s also been capped by the England C team back in March 2023.

Tickets:

 

The post Match Preview: Oldham Athletic (H) appeared first on AFC Fylde.