Oldham Athletic U18 2-3 Wigan Athletic U18
Tanya Blakey

A typical performance by the Latics this season, whereas they dominated the game for large periods, took the lead twice only for individual errors to cost them the game.

Latics started the game very well, were on the front foot and were playing some neat and tidy football and with a little more care in the final third, could easily have taken an early lead.

However, it took some 30 minutes for them to do so when good play down the left hand side by Ross Thaker led to him crossing for Chris Rowney to cleverly get in between two defenders and heading home.

The goal spurred the Latics on and they were by far the more dominant team until a howler by goalkeeper Josh Ollerenshaw gifted Wigan an undeserved equaliser.

This was the spur that a strong Wigan team needed and the course of the game changed in this moment. Latics were now on the back foot and had to defend resolutely to make sure they went in at half-time 1-1.

Latics started the second half very brightly and within 1-0 minutes a fine free kick by KC Owen put them further ahead.

Once again, Latics got on top and they should really have put the game out of sight only for a succession of chances and half chances to go begging.

Out of the blue Wigan struck an equaliser when slack play by the Latics back line allowed the Wigan forward to run half the length of the pitch unopposed and to fire the ball home from the edge of the box, past the hapless Ollerenshaw.

Again, the course of the game changed and it was now Latics that were on the back foot and it came as no surprise when Wigan took the lead with 10 minutes to go, when again, poor defensive play allowed a runner from midfield to fire home.

Latics actually responded well to going behind and they peppered the Wigan goal for the latter part of the game.

However, a lack of cleverness and quality in the final third meant they couldn't take the opportunities that arose.  The game finished 2-3 to Wigan.

Overall, Coach Tony Philliskirk was actually reasonably happy with the tempo and the quality of Latics play, but once again poor defending and goalkeeping meant that Latics conceded 3 goals.

This is a problem which has been evident all season and the bottom line is they can't be expected to score 3 or 4 goals every game to have any chance of taking the points.

Latics play their last game of the season next Saturday at home against Walsall at Chapel Road at 11am.