Oldham Athletic secured a crucial 3-1 victory over Woking at the Laithwaite Community Stadium in a thrilling National League encounter, a match punctuated by fluctuating fortunes and late drama.
The visitors struck first in the 12th minute. A flowing move culminated in Mark Kitching’s precise pass finding Josh Lundstram, who coolly slotted the ball home to give Oldham the early advantage. Stung by the setback, Woking endeavoured to establish their rhythm but found a resolute Oldham defence difficult to penetrate.
The second half ignited immediately. Just four minutes after the restart, Oldham doubled their lead. Half-time substitute James Norwood made an instant impact, finding the back of the net to seemingly put his side firmly in the driving seat.
Woking, however, refused to capitulate. Manager Michael Doyle’s triple substitution just before the hour mark injected fresh impetus and attacking intent into his side. The changes paid dividends in the 76th minute. Substitute Charley Kendall, introduced just 15 minutes earlier, pulled a goal back for the home side, finishing off a Cian Harries assist. The Laithwaite Community Stadium erupted, and the momentum appeared to be shifting towards a Woking comeback.
Oldham’s response, though, was immediate and decisive. Barely a minute after Woking’s lifeline, Mike Fondop-Talum restored the two-goal cushion, capitalising on an Emmanuel Monthe assist. The timing of Fondop-Talum’s goal, so soon after Woking had found a route back into the match, proved a devastating blow for the home side and their supporters.
The closing stages saw tempers fray, with yellow cards shown to Oldham’s Mathew Hudson and Woking’s Jamie Andrews as the hosts pressed for another goal. Despite Woking’s late pressure, Oldham held firm to secure all three points.
The victory sees Oldham leapfrog Woking in the National League table, climbing to 7th place with 14 points. Woking, meanwhile, drop to 12th on 13 points. The result maintains a recent trend of closely contested matches between these two sides, with both teams having now won two of their last four encounters.