Oldham 0-2 Sheffield Utd
Last updated on .From the section Football
Sheffield United began life in League One with a comfortable win over a poor Oldham side.
Lecsinel Jean-Francois's shot clipped the bar as the Blades started well.
The visitors deservedly took the lead shortly after the interval when Harry Maguire thundered home an unstoppable header from Stephen Quinn's corner.
Richard Cresswell slid in to convert Quinn's centre to make it 2-0, Dean Furman went close for the hosts but in truth the result flattered them.
The Blades, who were relegated from the Championship last season, made a bright start but were unable to force home keeper Alex Cisak into any serious action.
Having weathered the early storm, the hosts came into the game before the break - Matt Smith heading straight at keeper Steve Simonsen and Chris Taylor firing narrowly over from distance.
Sheffield United started the second half as they did the first and made their pressure tell when young centre-half Maguire rose terrifically to head home from Quinn's excellent set piece to break the deadlock.
Ryan Flynn forced a good reaction save from Cisak and Jean Yves Mvoto almost inadvertently put through his own net as the Latics struggled to react to going behind.
With the hosts still reeling, Cresswell put the Blades further ahead when he crashed in Quinn's low cross from inside the six-yard box.
With the game seemingly going away from them, Oldham went close through Furman's strike and Zander Diamond's header from close range.
That was as good as it got for them and Matthew Lowton came close to further adding to the visitors lead when his low drive flashed wide.
VIEWS FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Oldham manager Paul Dickov told BBC Radio Manchester:
"It was a tough start but I'm disappointed as first-half it was a pretty even game and we were pretty comfortable.
"As soon as they scored, three or four of them gave it up and I won't have that, and I've told them that in there.
"The most disappointing thing for me is if we'd done the basic things right for 90 minutes, I thought we would have got something from the game."
Sheffield United manager Danny Wilson told BBC Radio Sheffield:
"It was a great start, not a good start. We came here expecting a very tough battle and we got it.
"The defensive work throughout the team was excellent.
"We can't be disappointed with taking three points away on the first game of the season, I think that is very important to us."
