Latics topple Dale
Latics under-18's produced their best display of the season to beat second-placed Rochdale 2-1 in the Football League Youth Alliance, North West Conference.Academy Manager Tony Philliskirk was delighted with the quality of the football his side played in the opening period.
And he was equally pleased by the way his players dug in during the second half when Rochdale hit back.
Jack Tuohy, Jordan Bove and Jordache Walters all had chances before Latics took the lead after 20 minutes.
Kyle Hardman, Danny Byrnes and Bove were all involved in the move which ended with Tuohy cutting in from the left and, from the edge of the box, bending one into the top corner.
Byrnes was brought down in the box enabling Bove to double the advantage from the spot 10 minutes before the break with his 12th goal in 11 games for the youth team.
And Bove missed a great chance on the stroke of half time to add a third goal.
Dale stopped Latics playing in the second half, though they still created chances.
Joel Coleman made a great save to preserve the two-goal advantage.
Dale halved the deficit with 10 minutes left, though it took a deflection to finally beat Coleman.
Philliskirk admitted it was like the Alamo late on and in the last minute Ryan Ellison made an unbelievable goalline clearance to ensure Latics picked up all three points.
It was just the lift Latics' youngsters needed as they prepare for Wednesday's home game against Sheffield United at Boundary Park in the first round of the FA Youth Cup.
Dale stopped Latics playing in the second half, though they still created chances.
Joel Coleman made a great save to preserve the two-goal advantage.
Dale halved the deficit with 10 minutes left, though it took a deflection to finally beat Coleman.
Philliskirk admitted it was like the Alamo late on and in the last minute Ryan Ellison made an unbelievable goalline clearance to ensure Latics picked up all three points.
It was just the lift Latics' youngsters needed as they prepare for Wednesday's home game against Sheffield United at Boundary Park in the first round of the FA Youth Cup.