James Maddison's goal on his full debut was not enough to avoid defeat against the Latics at Boundary Park...
Coventry City suffered defeat at Boundary Park as they lost 4-1 against Oldham Athletic. Two goals from Jonathon Forte and strikes from Jabo Ibehre and Danny Philliskirk overcame James Maddison's first goal for the Sky Blues.City's side featured five changes from the team that started against Bristol City on Saturday. Among the new faces was Maddison, who made his first ever start for the Sky Blues. He was joined by Shaun Miller, Ryan Haynes, John Fleck and Seb Hines.
They replaced Josh McQuoid, Simeon Jackson, Mohamed Coulibaly, Danny Pugh and Jordan Clarke respectively.
The game began at a high pace, with both sides looking to impose on each other early. Maddison was playing just behind Miller, and was receiving plenty of touches.
Oldham broke the deadlock with the first chance of the game. In the ninth minute Forte's flick on found Philliskirk, who shot early. Ryan Allsop got a hand to it, but the strike was too strong and found the corner of the net.
The opener appeared to rattle City, with Oldham enjoying a large spell of possession, as the Sky Blues looked to reorganise. The hosts were playing with confidence, without creating much in the final third.
Midway through the first half and the Latics continued to press for a second goal. However City had their first real opportunity when Miller made himself some space, and looked to fire in a low cross towards Maddison, but Timothee Dieng intercepted well.
Things got worse for the Sky Blues when the home side doubled their lead after 29 minutes. Forte broke through the City defence, and had the composure to shrug off a defensive challenge and finish cooly.
With 15 minutes until the break, City pulled a goal back. Maddison won a free kick on the edge of the area after a mazy dribble. He took the free kick himself, and his shot wrong footed keeper Paul Rachubka after a deflection, the 17-year old scoring his first professional goal.
The Latics nearly hit back immediately in spectacular fashion. Mike Jones attempted to lob Allsop from 40 yards, the ball going just over the crossbar.
The hosts did not have to wait too long for their third, as it came just a minute later. Forte again got behind the City back line to fire home for his second of the match.
That was the last goalmouth action of a frantic first half, and City needed to come out fighting in the second period if they were to get anything in the game.
The second half nearly started in the best possible fashion for City. Miller did brilliantly to turn his man, leaving him through on goal. His shot beat Rachubka, but smacked the left hand post and bounced to safety.
Within ten minutes of the second half gone, the Latics had a chance to seal the game. James Dayton's cross found the outstretched leg of Forte, but he was denied his hat-trick as the ball spun just wide.
City made a double substitution after 65 minutes in an effort to find a second goal. Marcus Tudgay and Simeon Jackson came on for Andy Webster and Shaun Miller, to give more power to the Sky Blues' front line.
The Sky Blues were doing all they can do get back into the game, but Oldham got their fourth goal 12 minutes from time. A low cross found Jabo Ibehre, who stooped low to head home from point blank range.
The goal killed any momentum the Sky Blues had, and the Latics were more than happy to see out the remaining minutes with men behind the ball.
It was a disappointing night for City in Greater Manchester, who face Peterborough next at the Ricoh Arena on Saturday.
Attendance: 3224 (223 Away)
Coventry City:
Allsop, Willis, Webster (Jackson 65'), Fleck, O'Brien (Thomas 75'), Miller (Tudgay 65'), Barton, Phillips, Hines, Haynes, Maddison
Subsitutes:
Burge (GK), McQuoid, Coulibaly, Finch
Oldham Athletic:
Rabchubka, Mills, Dieng, Kelly, Dayton, Jones (Winchester 82'), Philliskirk, Forte (Poleon 71'), Wilson, Ibehere, Kusunga
Subsitutes:
Brown, Tidser, Bove, Turner, Tyson