Oldham Athletic new boys Manny Monthe, Harry Charsley and Josh Kay all started the first friendly at Boundary Park, while Jes Uchegbulam played the last half-hour.

But as well as new faces, it was as much about familiar ones, as Alex Reid made his first appearance in 245 days.

The 28-year-old was brought on in the second half against old club Stockport County, and brought in from the cold along with Kurt Willoughby, who last pulled on a Latics shirt on January 6 and ended the season with the Scottish championship at Ayr.

It is fair to say that neither probably expected to be involved in Oldham's pre-season or planning for a new campaign. But whether it is through injury to others - with front men James Norwood and Joe Garner currently sidelined - self determination, design - or a bit of all three - the slate appears to have been wiped clean.

It is up to them if they seize this second chance.

(Image: Phill Smith)

"If anybody gives Oldham a chance of winning games of football and I believe that they're going to do that then I've never been a manager that would ever get in the way of that," said manager Micky Mellon.

"I don't care what relationship (we have) or whatever, if I believe you can win games of football for Oldham, I don't care how old you are, how young you are, whatever, I will pick them for Oldham. It won't be on favours or anything like that. If I believe you can get Oldham a result, I'll pick them."

And Mellon said he had seen better attitudes in that regard, having penalised Reid last season for his social media post about training on Christmas Day.

"A hundred per cent," he added. "But I think people now know how I work. If I don't believe you're going to show the right attitude in this culture that's all about trying to be successful you won't play for me and you can go and train somewhere else.

"We have a fantastic ownership at this football club and they deserve people to have the right attitude and the right mentality and want to come in every day and improve and want to come into an Oldham team that wants to play with a bit of class and a bit of arrogance and go and win games of football for this fanbase."

And the Scot said he could not have asked for much more from his players as Oldham Athletic kicked off their pre-season programme with a win.

Left back Mark Kitching's first minute goal was enough to beat League Two champions Stockport County, as Latics gave debuts to four of their five summer signings.

Tom Conlon, with the captain's armband and positive pre-season so far, looked like a new signing, full of energy, endeavour and executed an excellent assist, while Josh Lundstram - the only player to complete 90 minutes as changes were rung at intervals from half-time onwards - played his part in helping to showcase the passing game that manager Mellon is encouraging.

(Image: Phill Smith)

"I want them to play, I want them to be brave and get on the ball and play. I want them to pass the ball, I want them to score goals, obviously.

"I don't mind taking risks.

"I want them to get on the ball and pass it and take the risks if you have to.

"We did that today, against a big, talented squad in Stockport.

"We knew it was going to be a real test for us, the first game back, but I thought every one of the boys acquitted themselves really well and we got what we needed out of it. We got a good run-out, we thankfully haven't got any injuries and now we move on over the weekend... I think there's a big game tomorrow... and we'll be back in on Monday and get going again."

Latics have set the bar for the rest of their friendlies, and set the tone early here when Conlan's free kick was headed home by Kitching inside the first minute.

Winger Josh Kay was unlucky not to mark his bow with a brace in the first half, and Oli Hammond was denied a header in the second.

But one goal was enough as Latics stifled Stockport.

Ending a positive week away on a high at home, Mellon added: "We scored a goal, we got a clean sheet and we've had a win in pre-season. Only positives. We worked very hard.

"It's important that everybody gets a run out and it's another step closer to that first game of the season."