Match report

Oldham Defeats Tranmere 3-1 in League Two Clash

Oldham
Oldham
3–1
FT
Tranmere
Tranmere
Dec 20, 2025

Oldham secured a well-deserved 3-1 win over Tranmere at the Boundary Park. Mark Mellon scored all three goals for Oldham, while Chris Whitaker netted for Tranmere. Despite conceding an early goal and a red card in the second half, Oldham maintained their composure to hold on for victory.

Key Facts

  • • Oldham's Mark Mellon scored all three goals (31', 47', 61')
  • • Tranmere's Chris Whitaker found the net at 41'
  • • Joe Garner and J. Caprice received yellow cards for Oldham
  • • Mike Fondop was sent off with a red card for Oldham in the 68th minute

Lineups

Oldham

Formation: 4-1-3-2

Starting XI

  • 1 M. Hudson (G)
  • 2 R. Ogle (D)
  • 5 D. Daniels (D)
  • 6 M. Monthe (D)
  • 3 J. Leake (D)
  • 8 R. Woods (M)
  • 4 T. Pett (M)
  • 26 K. Payne (M)
  • 11 J. Stevens
  • 28 M. Mellon (F)
  • 14 J. Garner (F)

Substitutes

  • 31 T. Donaghy
  • 9 M. Fondop-Talum
  • 15 K. Drummond
  • 20 J. Caprice
  • 24 J. Robson
  • 27 O. Hammond
  • 40 D. Simeu

Tranmere

Formation: 3-4-1-2

Starting XI

  • 13 J. Murphy (G)
  • 30 A. McGowan (D)
  • 5 N. Smith (D)
  • 4 J. Turnbull (D)
  • 14 J. Joseph (M)
  • 24 B. Blacker
  • 6 R. Smallwood (M)
  • 23 E. Bristow (M)
  • 7 C. Whitaker (F)
  • 9 K. Dennis (F)
  • 29 J. Ironside (F)

Substitutes

  • 12 J. Barrett
  • 2 C. Norman
  • 3 P. Brough
  • 8 S. Finley
  • 10 J. Davison
  • 18 C. Jennings
  • 42 N. Kenneh

Timeline

  1. Oldham
    29' Oldham subst · Substitution 1
    Off: J. Stevens · On: J. Caprice
  2. Oldham
    31' Oldham Goal · Normal Goal
    M. Mellon · Assist: J. Caprice
  3. Tranmere
    37' Tranmere Card · Yellow Card
    J. Turnbull

    Foul

  4. Oldham
    40' Oldham Card · Yellow Card
    Joe Garner

    Foul

  5. Tranmere
    41' Tranmere Goal · Normal Goal
    C. Whitaker
  6. Oldham
    46' Oldham subst · Substitution 2
    Off: J. Leake · On: J. Robson
  7. Tranmere
    46' Tranmere subst · Substitution 1
    Off: J. Turnbull · On: Patrick Brough
  8. Oldham
    47' Oldham Goal · Normal Goal
    M. Mellon
  9. Oldham
    49' Oldham Card · Yellow Card
    J. Caprice

    Time wasting

  10. Oldham
    60' Oldham subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Joe Garner · On: Mike Fondop
  11. Oldham
    61' Oldham Goal · Normal Goal
    M. Mellon
  12. Tranmere
    65' Tranmere subst · Substitution 2
    Off: B. Blacker · On: S. Finley
  13. Tranmere
    65' Tranmere subst · Substitution 3
    Off: J. Ironside · On: J. Davison
  14. Tranmere
    65' Tranmere subst · Substitution 4
    Off: K. Dennis · On: C. Jennings
  15. Oldham
    68' Oldham Card · Red Card
    Mike Fondop

    Violent conduct

  16. Oldham
    84' Oldham subst · Substitution 4
    Off: M. Mellon · On: K. Drummond
  17. Oldham
    87' Oldham Card · Yellow Card
    Matthew Hudson

    Time wasting

Match Stats

Stat Oldham Tranmere
Fouls 6 5
Pass Accuracy 51% 76%
Offsides 1 2
Red Cards 1 0
Total Shots 16 17
Corners 5 3
Total Passes 237 409
Yellow Cards 3 1
Blocked Shots 4 5
Shots on Target 7 5
xG 1.51 2.01
Shots off Target 5 7
Possession 37% 63%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 122 311
Shots Inside Box 9 8
Saves 4 4
Shots Outside Box 7 9

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Mark Mellon's opening goal at 31' set the tone for Oldham's victory
  • ▸ Tranmere briefly leveled the match with a goal by Chris Whitaker in the 41st minute, but Oldham quickly responded with goals from Mellon to secure the win