Latics off to a winning start
Latics made a winning start to their Sky Bet League 1 campaign following a pulsating 4-3 win at Stevenage.
Lee Johnson's side produced a sparkling second-half showing in which they found the net four times.
There were two goals for Jose Baxter and one apiece for James Tarkowski (pictured) and Cristian Montano.
Lee Johnson's side produced a sparkling second-half showing in which they found the net four times.
There were two goals for Jose Baxter and one apiece for James Tarkowski (pictured) and Cristian Montano.
Latics, 1-0 down at the break, were soon on level terms.
Central-defender Tarkowski equalised in the 50th minute with a goal any striker would have been proud of.
Stevenage's Greg Tansey was booked and from Jose Baxter's free kick Tarkowski found the net with a terrific first-time shot from eight yards which flashed past keeper Chris Day before he could move.
And it got even better for Latics when they took the lead midway through the second period.
James Dayton fired over a delightful cross and Charlie MacDonald went sprawling as referee Darren Sheldrake pointed to the spot.
Baxter's penalty was saved by Day, but his blushed were spared when the rebound fell to his feet as he slotted home a low shot.
Latics added a third goal in the 70th minute following a breakaway.
Montano made an interception inside his own half before drawing Day and dinking the ball over the keeper.
Central-defender Tarkowski equalised in the 50th minute with a goal any striker would have been proud of.
Stevenage's Greg Tansey was booked and from Jose Baxter's free kick Tarkowski found the net with a terrific first-time shot from eight yards which flashed past keeper Chris Day before he could move.
And it got even better for Latics when they took the lead midway through the second period.
James Dayton fired over a delightful cross and Charlie MacDonald went sprawling as referee Darren Sheldrake pointed to the spot.
Baxter's penalty was saved by Day, but his blushed were spared when the rebound fell to his feet as he slotted home a low shot.
Latics added a third goal in the 70th minute following a breakaway.
Montano made an interception inside his own half before drawing Day and dinking the ball over the keeper.
Latics made two substitutions in quick succession as Adam Rooney and Dayton were replaced by Jonson Clarke-Harris and Sidney Schmeltz.
Stevenage reduced the deficit to 3-2 in the 76th minute.
Keeper Mark Oxley parried a shot and Oumare Tounkara picked up the rebound and squared a pass for Greg Tansey to sweep home.
Latics came close to adding a fourth goal when Day pulled off an acrobatic save to turn over a free kick from Baxter which was arrowing towards the top corner.
Stevenage reduced the deficit to 3-2 in the 76th minute.
Keeper Mark Oxley parried a shot and Oumare Tounkara picked up the rebound and squared a pass for Greg Tansey to sweep home.
Latics came close to adding a fourth goal when Day pulled off an acrobatic save to turn over a free kick from Baxter which was arrowing towards the top corner.
Stevenage made it 3-3 in the 84th minute when Latics failed to clear a free kick and former Boundary Park player Filipe Morais fired home.
Latics were back ahead two minutes later when they were awarded a second penalty.
Referee Sheldrake ruled Darius Charles handled a shot from Charlie MacDonald and Baxter made no mistake from the spot with a low shot into the bottom corner of the net.
Cliff Byrne replaced David Mellor, Latics' third and final change.
Clarke-Harris had the chance to add a fifth goal, but saw his angled shot flash inches wide.
Full-time: Stevenage 3, Latics 4
Latics were back ahead two minutes later when they were awarded a second penalty.
Referee Sheldrake ruled Darius Charles handled a shot from Charlie MacDonald and Baxter made no mistake from the spot with a low shot into the bottom corner of the net.
Cliff Byrne replaced David Mellor, Latics' third and final change.
Clarke-Harris had the chance to add a fifth goal, but saw his angled shot flash inches wide.
Full-time: Stevenage 3, Latics 4