Manager happy with win
Lee Johnson was satisfied with Latics' latest pre-season workout as they defeated Macclesfield Town 4-1 at Boundary Park.
Latics’ manager was pleased with the spirit his side showed as it overturned a half-time deficit to storm to victory in the second period.
Two goals from Cristian Montano, an Adam Rooney penalty and own goal brought about the great fightback.
Johnson said: "There were some good bits to the game but, being pre-season obviously, we can improve.
"In the second half we played some really neat football and overall I was pleased with the attitude shown in the whole game."
Johnson is also delighted with the strength and depth of the squad.
"I was looking at the bench and was wanting to put five or six of them on which is a nice position to be in," he continued.
Latics went with Adam Rooney and Jonson Clarke-Harris as their front pairing with James Tarkowski and David Mellor the centre-back partnership.
Clarke-Harris had two early efforts, but it was Conference club Macclesfield, with six trialists out to impress in their starting line up, who snatched a 34th minute lead through Scott Boden.
The former Chesterfield striker produced an excellent turn on the edge of the box and saw his shot take a deflection and loop over keeper Mark Oxley.
Latics finished the half strongly as Rooney brought a flying save from keeper Rhys Taylor while Tarkowski failed to hit the target with a free header from a Montano corner.
Johnson brought on Sidney Schmeltz and Anton Rodgers at the restart for Dayton and James Wesolowski.
Latics were on level terms within four minutes when Clarke-Harris was brought down by keeper Taylor following a defensive mix up as Rooney scored from the spot.
Clarke-Harris was the key figure in Latics taking the lead in the 52nd minute when he played a delightful through pass for Montana to race on to and fire in a shot from the edge of the box which flew in off the upright.
Oxley ensured Latics stayed ahead with a good save to beat away a drive from Arthur Gnahoua.
Latics added a third goal just after the hour mark when Montano cut in from the left and shot low past Taylor.
Montano was flying as he set up Rooney who was denied a fourth goal for Latics by a block by Steve Williams.
Jose Baxter, who came on for the last half hour, provided a spark as he had a fierce shot beaten out by Taylor.
And it was fitting that Baxter should have the last word as Latics hit a fourth goal on the stroke of full time.
Baxter’s free kick (pictured) struck the crossbar and went into the net off the back of the unfortunate Taylor. It was an own goal, though Baxter will no doubt try to claim it, something Taylor would not argue with.
Latics (4-4-1-1): Oxley; Brown, Brown, Tarkowski (Belezika 80), Mellor (Byrne 73), Grounds; Dayton (Schmeltz 46), Wesolowski (Rodgers 46), Montano; Rooney (MacDonald 67); Clarke-Harris (Baxter 60). Subs (not used): Millar, Joksts, Simpson, Cooper, Gosset, Truelove.