Oldham Athletic 1-0 Grimsby: Hawkes Winner Extends Unbeaten Run
Josh Hawkes scored a late winner as Oldham Athletic stretched their unbeaten run to seven games with a narrow 1-0 League Two victory over Grimsby, who dropped out of the play-off spots as a result.
Oldham Athletic Break Through Late At Boundary Park
It was a tight contest at Boundary Park, where substitutes Oli Hammond and Josh Hawkes combined to separate the teams. Oldham clinched the points in the 82nd minute when Hammond laid on a pass for Hawkes to run onto and slot past Jackson Smith into the bottom-right corner.
Micky Mellon’s side set an early attacking tempo and Kane Drummond had early half-chances, but the first half was largely stop-start. Grimsby set up to frustrate and defended deep, and the game opened up after the interval with both teams enjoying better chances.
The Mariners came close through substitute Jamie Walker, whose strike from the edge of the box rattled the crossbar, but Hawkes’ late finish proved decisive and inflicted only Grimsby’s second defeat in 15 games.
Mellon: ‘The supporters know how crucial a role they have to play in every game’
Manager Micky Mellon singled out the crowd as vital to Oldham’s momentum. The win lifts the mood at Boundary Park as the Latics chase a meaningful run of results late in the campaign.
That momentum is reflected in broader talk about the club’s prospects: Latics require 1. 8333 points per game from their remaining 12 fixtures to reach 71 points, the historical average thought to secure the final League Two play-off berth. Recent form and contributions from players across the squad have underpinned the run.
Players such as Jack Stevens and Kane Drummond have helped give the front line pace and definition, while Mike Fondop’s resurgence has provided goals and physical presence. Defensively, Oldham have tightened up since a difficult spell in late January and early February; they have conceded just two goals in six games after an earlier run of nine goals conceded in three successive matches.
That collective improvement and the continued backing of supporters leave Oldham Athletic positioned to push for late-season objectives as fixtures run down and the fight for play-off places intensifies.
What This Means Going Forward
The victory over Grimsby not only extended Oldham’s unbeaten streak to seven matches but also altered the immediate play-off picture by dropping the Mariners out of the spots. With a run of remaining fixtures that will determine whether the Latics can hit the points threshold being discussed, the club’s recent form, squad depth and home support have taken on added significance.
Oldham will look to build on the win and the supporters’ impact as they pursue the points needed to stay in contention for a play-off push in the closing stages of the season.
