Dream start for Latics
Latics made a dream start to their Johnstone's Paint Trophy tie at Preston North End scoring twice in the opening nine minutes.
Danny Philliskirk (pictured) and James Wesolowski found the net as Latics, who dominated the opening period, took a giant step towards claiming a place in the northers area quarter finals.
Danny Philliskirk (pictured) and James Wesolowski found the net as Latics, who dominated the opening period, took a giant step towards claiming a place in the northers area quarter finals.
Latics lined up with Genseric Kusunga in the problem right-back spot where Latics were without Matteo Lanzoni, Carl Winchester and Connor Brown. Jonathan Grounds played centre back with Joseph Mills left back.
That enabled Korey Smith to stay in midfield where Sidney Schmeltz and James Dayton occupied the wide positions.
Latics could not have dreamed of a better opening as they took the lead after only 13 seconds.
Schmeltz fired over a low cross from the left which was met by Philliskirk who shot wrong-footed keeper Thorsten Stuckmann as it trickled into the net.
Mills forced a decent save from Stuckmann low to his right to turn away his 30-yard free kick and Schmeltz forced another diving stop from the German keeper.
It got even better for Latics when they went 2-0 ahead in the ninth minute.
Dayton provided the delivery from the right and Wesolowski's drive from 14 yards found the top corner of the net.
They could easily have added a third goal soon after when Stuckmann was beaten by a back pass only to sprint back to kick the ball clear off the goalline.
That enabled Korey Smith to stay in midfield where Sidney Schmeltz and James Dayton occupied the wide positions.
Latics could not have dreamed of a better opening as they took the lead after only 13 seconds.
Schmeltz fired over a low cross from the left which was met by Philliskirk who shot wrong-footed keeper Thorsten Stuckmann as it trickled into the net.
Mills forced a decent save from Stuckmann low to his right to turn away his 30-yard free kick and Schmeltz forced another diving stop from the German keeper.
It got even better for Latics when they went 2-0 ahead in the ninth minute.
Dayton provided the delivery from the right and Wesolowski's drive from 14 yards found the top corner of the net.
They could easily have added a third goal soon after when Stuckmann was beaten by a back pass only to sprint back to kick the ball clear off the goalline.
It was a measure of Latics' dominance that they enjoyed 81-per-cent possession in the opening half hour.
Mills made a fabulous burst forward and unleashed a terrific drive from 30 yards which was deflected wide for a corner as Latics maintained a vice-like grip on the game.
Half-time: Preston North End 0, Latics 2
Mills made a fabulous burst forward and unleashed a terrific drive from 30 yards which was deflected wide for a corner as Latics maintained a vice-like grip on the game.
Half-time: Preston North End 0, Latics 2