HARRY Kewell hailed a fine Oldham display as they completed a perfect Papa John's Trophy group stage campaign on a night of firsts at Bradford.

Latics won 3-1 at Valley Parade as Davis Keillor-Dunn and Leeds loanee Alfie McCalmont, with two, got off the mark for the club.

The home side’s goal came via an own goal from Under-18s captain Will Sutton, who impressed on his professional debut alongside another new face in former Monaco defender Raphael Diarra, whose signing was announced on the day of the game.

With both sides much-changed from their weekend FA Cup wins, Latics got an early advantage through Keillor-Dunn before Sutton inadvertently headed in Tyler French’s cross just before the hour mark.

McCalmont struck a late double though to make it nine points out of nine after previous wins over Doncaster and Wolves’ Under-21s.

“I’m pleased with my squad,” said Kewell, after a third win in three different competitions in the last seven days. 

“We’re still working, we’re not getting carried away and we know it takes time but it’s nice to get wins and build confidence.

“It was fantastic to see Will Sutton get his debut and he was excellent.

“There were a few moments where he’s just got to learn that maybe he can’t always win the ball and sometimes strikers are good enough to get in front and hold it up, but just don’t let them turn.

“He scored his first goal as well, just in the wrong net!

“It was superb for him and great for Diarra to start. I was impressed with him as well.

“He was strong, he was physical and it was good to get (Vani) Da Silva on as well. It was a nice night.

“This competition is a good opportunity to try other players and give them matches but there’s a nice little prize at the end as well.

“When you enter a competition you set out to try and get as far as you can.”

With strong starts to the season for both Conor McAleny and Zak Dearnley in front of goal, Kewell was pleased to see two other players get up and running on Tuesday night.

“It’s great to see Davis get off the mark,” the Latics head coach added. 

“He’s had some chances this year and hopefully he can build on that.

“It’s perfect for Alfie as well. It was great that he got two goals because I thought he was superb.”

Kewell's only criticism on the night was that victory could have been wrapped up earlier than the final 10 minutes, McCalmont finding the top corner on 85 minutes before taking a Keillor-Dunn pass to score with time almost up.

George Blackwood and Callum Whelan both had chances in the first period with Dylan Bahamboula and Keillor-Dunn going close before Bradford levelled things up.

All in all though, it was a job well done for Kewell with attentions now turning to a return to League Two action at home to struggling Scunthorpe on Saturday.

"I’m very pleased," the Australian said.

"Bradford are an excellent team, it’s a fantastic stadium, a fantastic pitch and I felt they worked us well.

"I thought we were clinical tonight in some areas. We created a lot of chances and I thought their keeper was excellent and he pulled off some tremendous saves.

"I kind of felt we could have wrapped the game up earlier in the second half but I was pleased with the reaction I got, the hard work.

"The work ethic for me was perfect.

"We’re not going to get carried away with this though.

"We know it was a great performance but now we’ve got to switch on because we’re going to have a tough game at the weekend."