Micky Mellon hails Oldham matchwinner Mike Fondop during tough period

Manager Micky Mellon praised Mike Fondop after he overcame personal issues to be Oldham’s matchwinner in a 1-0 League Two victory at home to Bromley.

The big striker headed the decisive goal in the 82nd minute to earn Latics their first home win of the season and their first victory at Boundary Park in the EFL since March 2022.

It was last season’s top scorer Fondop’s first goal of the campaign and Mellon said: “I am pleased for him for a lot of reasons – private stuff, please don’t do fishing.

“It shows the character of the man and a great credit he turned in a performance like that and got us the win. I am pleased for him and his family.”

Fondop, who moments before scoring had seen a looping header hit the crossbar, was named man of the match.

That award could easily have gone to goalkeeper Matt Hudson, who was making his 100th start for Latics and who made two huge saves late in the game to deny substitutes Ben Thompson and Marcus Dinanga and ensure Latics picked up three points.

Reflecting on the one from Dinanga, which he tipped on to the post before grabbing the rebound, Mellon said: “It was a matchwinning save and as good as a goal.

“He is a very good keeper and another who was here before I arrived. I am delighted he is still here as he can produce moments like that.”

Mellon said it was important to get a first home league win at the fourth attempt which he thought was merited as Latics ended Bromley’s unbeaten start to the season.

He continued: “I think we deserve it on the balance of chances as we had most chances.

“Bromley are very good at what they do and that is why there are at that end of the table (seventh).

“It was important to get the first win at home and we showed character and attitude.

“Football ability is always there, but attitude fluctuates and we had to make sure we always had good attitude and discipline.”

Bromley manager Andy Woodman took defeat on the chin, describing their performance as “a bit lack-lustre”.

He said: “If someone told me we would go right through the season unbeaten, they would be crazy as that is not going to happen.

“It is about how we react, lick our wounds and get back on the training ground.”

Woodman admitted he did not have good vibes pre-match, explaining: “I had a feeling it would not fall for us today. It was one of those days when we were not silky.

“In saying that, their keeper made a couple of good saves, but we lacked quality in the right moments.

“Oldham is not an easy place to come to and all credit to them for keeping us at bay.”