A goal for Elliott Nevitt on his full debut, one from the spot for Calum Kavanagh, and a fabulous Mike Fondop finish secured a 3-0 win for Oldham Athletic over Swindon Town.
Manager Micky Mellon had reminded his players of the importance of a strong start having suffered for being slow out of the traps against Ian Holloway's side this time last year.
In the end, Latics dominated the game in almost its entirety to record a second consecutive home win and clean sheet, on the back of their opening day success against Port Vale.
And arguably the most pleasing aspect is that against a side that is expected to be up there again in the promotion pack this season, the margin of victory could have been even more comfortable.
Latics showed patience and persistence in their pursuit of the breakthrough.
There was a succession of early corners - seven in the first 25 minutes - but Mellon's men could not capitalise on them, while there were chances for Ryan Delaney, Calum Kavanagh, Jamie Robson, Gus Scott-Morriss, who then showed defensive diligence to put pressure on as Swindon mounted their first attack midway through the half, forcing Louis Millard to miss the target.
Aaron Drinan then controlled a good angled ball and shot first time but it was straight at Mat Hudson.
Latics got back on the offensive and continued to knock on the door through Favour Fawunmi, who brought a smart save from Connor Ripley, who was in fine form.
But the ex-Latic was eventually beaten four minutes before the break as Nevitt fired low across the keeper and into the bottom left corner.
Swindon made a double change at the start of the second half, but there was no change in the momentum.
Kavanagh saw a header flick wide from an early Ollie Norburn corner, and it was a similar outcome when Donervon Daniels got on the end of a Fawunmi flag kick.
Swindon boss Ian Holloway made two more changes just before the hour, and while it stayed 1-0 there was a fear the visitors would have a trick up their sleeve.
But it was Latics' triple change seven minutes later that made the difference.
Mike Fondop was among the trio, and after he, Scott-Morriss and Kavanagh were all denied by Ripley, Fondop earned an 83rd minute penalty.
Ripley argued there was no contact, and there was some debate between Fondop and Kavanagh as to who would take it. In the end designated penalty taker Kavanagh placed it, and sent Ripley the wrong way to double Latics' advantage.
But Fondop got the goal he wanted, and what a finish it was with his unfavoured right foot, in the fifth minute of stoppage time to give the scoreline the comfortable look Latics deserved.
Share