The Fleet face new challengers this weekend as it’s a first-ever meeting against founder Premier League members Oldham Athletic and a new stadium for the travelling fans to visit at the 14,000-capacity Boundary Park.
Form guide:
Oldham travelled to one of the league’s early pacesetters Barnet on Wednesday evening and they certainly put on a strong performance in front of the TNT Sports cameras, scoring four past the title challengers. Oldham now sit 10th in the National League, 11 points ahead of the Fleet with seven wins and nine draws under their belt for this campaign.
Who’s who?
Mathew Hudson will be between the posts this Saturday following his arrival at Boundary Park in December 2022. Hudson made one appearance for Preston North End but enjoyed longer loan spells with the likes of Bury and Bamber Bridge before signing permanently for the Latics.
Captain Liam Hogan is the defensive main man. The 6ft centre-back has made 42 appearances since his debut in 2022 and brought years of National League experience when he made the move. With 109 matches for Halifax plus promotions with both Salford City and Stockport County, he is a vital part of the side.
Up front is former Tranmere Rovers and Ipswich Town striker James Norwood, who won promotion to the EFL with Rovers in 2018. Following a number of successful seasons with the side, making 165 appearances with 82 goals, Norwood had three seasons at Portman Road, followed by a move to Barnsley. He was unveiled as Oldham’s marquee signing in the summer.
The manager
Micky Mellon is no stranger to the National League having masterminded promotion with Tranmere Rovers alongside Norwood in 2018. Mellon took charge of Dundee United after that before returning to Tranmere for a further two years. Saturday’s match will be his eighth game in charge of Oldham Athletic and he is still looking for his first victory on home soil after three away wins.
Club connections
Former Fleet forward Alex Reid (2019/20) made the move to Oldham in 2022 after spells with Dagenham, Solihull Moors and Stockport County and he has since made 30 appearances, scoring nine goals. However, he has a knee injury so won’t feature again for at least a few weeks. Midfielder Brennan Dickenson, meanwhile, played alongside Josh Wright and Joe Martin in his Gillingham days.
Of those players in red, Dominic Poleon spent two years at Boundary Park from 2014–16, playing for Oldham in League One, while midfielder Ouss Cissé (below) played eight games for the club in 2021/22.
Ticketing
The Fleet fans have been allocated the lower paddock (LOWER CRE) of the main stand and tickets can be purchased by supporters online through the club’s website here. Then choose the Tickets menu and Visting Fan Tickets option. It will be cheaper to buy in advance, but tickets will still be available on the day from the ticket office. Supporters will also have the option to pay cash at the turnstiles at the matchday prices, if the fixture is not all-ticket.
Disabled supporters can purchase tickets in the Jimmy Frizzell Stand, but please note this is the Oldham family stand whilst a new away end disabled section is being developed.
