County’s Academy Scholars got back to winning ways on Saturday, as the young Hatters overcame Oldham 1-0 at Stockport Sports Village in the EFL Youth Alliance North West Division.

Kylan Depeiaza grabbed the sole goal of the game fifteen minutes into the second half, following a deep cross by Che Gardner.

The visitors had their first look at the goal. A muscular tussle outside the area opened space for a low cross into the county box, and the ball was inches away from finding an orange shirt with a simple tap-in.

A poor clearing by the Oldham goalie hit the feet of Christian Mulindwa. The midfielder slipped a pass through to Depeiaza, who saw his close-range effort palmed away to safety.

County came close to taking the lead through both Depeiaza and Callum Scruton. A floated cross by Mulindwa found the attacker, who headed against the crossbar, before Scruton slammed an effort off the woodwork on the follow-up.

Good pressing by County offered Ashton Mee a chance at goal, but his long-range effort was comfortably stopped by the Oldham goalkeeper.

After a positive half from the county, the pressure finally paid off. Good link-up play by Joe Hillary and Gardner on the left ended in a looping cross to the back post, where Jake Lewis was waiting to volley back across to Depeiaza. The attacker, in acres of space, headed County into the lead.

Although it was an easy second period, Oldham came close to leveling the score. A cross to the back post wasn’t handled, and a scramble inside the area was poked away from danger.