It was as if he had never been away.
In his first loan spell at Boundary Park Josh Stones scored three goals in four games. He picked up where he left off on his second debut, stroking home the opening goal in Latics' second Group B game in the National League Cup, at home to Wolves Under 21s.
Latics lost 4-2 on penalties, after the game ended 2-2 after 90 minutes, but Stones again impressed in his 45-minute run-out ahead of Saturday's trip to Barnet (kick-off 5.30pm).
Joe Garner, starting his third game of the season and first after recently rolling his ankle in training and being sidelined, was fouled by the Wolves keeper just inside the box and dispossessed. But the ball rolled through to Stones, who slotted effortlessly into an empty net to give Latics a 21st minute lead.
There was a delayed reaction before the referee made it clear the goal stood, with both Garner and Wolves keeper Lewys Benjamin sprawled out on the grass and needing treatment.
There was no doubting Oldham's second though.
Fletcher Holman quickly cancelled out Stones' opener, firing into the roof of the net from close range. But Latics quickly got back on the front foot, with Garner winning a corner from which Jesurun Uchegbulam restored their lead.
Sam Clucas' delivery was headed on by Will Sutton, Stones tried to flick it but the ball dropped for Uchegbulam - fresh from his cup winner at Tranmere - to bury.
Latics led at the break but rang the changes for the second half, with youth team duo Abubakar Muhammed and Victor Dielunvuidi replacing Stones and Clucas to make their senior debuts, while Kofi Moore came on for Garner.
Muhammed was through on goal early on but couldn't get the power behind his shot to trouble the keeper, who then immediately denied Moore at the end of his angled run at goal.
Holman equalised with his second of the night, and Latics had goalkeeper Scott Moloney to thank for keeping the scores level to take the tie to a penalty shoot-out.
Otis Khan and Oli Hammond converted their spot kicks, but Dan Gardner and Josh Kay had their penalties saved, while Wolves scored all four of theirs.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel