Tranmere take control in reserve clash
Ben Hamer and Jake Kirby gave Tranmere a 2-0 half-time lead against Latics reserves in their Central League clash at Prenton Park.After a promising opening half hour, Latics were undone by two Tranmere goals.
As an icy wind blew in off the Mersey, the football began to produce a warming glow after a slow start.
Latics keeper Liam Jacob (pictured) pulled off two excellent saves in quick succession to deny Abdulai Bell-Baggie and Kirby.
Tranmere stopper Jason Mooney then pulled off an equally fine save to beat out a shot from Daniel Taylor who was put clean through by Kirk Millar.
The deadlock was broken after half an hour when a long ball from left to right found right-back Hamer who wrong-footed Joe Edwards before smashing a shot high into the far top corner of the net.
Latics had a great chance to equalise when Luke Wandless ghosted in at the far post to meet a Millar cross, but shot into the side netting.
Tranmere added a second goal in the 40th minute when Bell-Baggie cut in from the right and saw hit shot hit the inside of the upright and bounce up for Kirby to nod in from inside the six-yard box.
Latics finished the half strongly with Taylor having two goal attempts well saved by Mooney.
Half-time: Tranmere 2, Latics reserves 0.