Latics beaten by Dale reserves in Cup
Latics finished bottom of their Manchester Senior Cup group after a 3-1 defeat this afternoon to Rochdale reserves, Dale finishing runners-up to Manchester City who will meet their cross-town rivals United in the final.
Dale were fastest out of the blocks creating several chances before the unlucky Carl Winchester deflected a cross from the right past Paul Rachubka to open the scoring on 22 minutes.
A minute later a lively Joe Bunney smashed a shot into the side netting, before crossing for Steve Collis to set up Graham Cummins to make it 0-2 on 24 minutes.
Winchester made amends for his own goal as he was on hand to slot home after JP Kissock's free kick had been palmed away by Dale keeper Robbie Thompson shortly before the break.
HT: 1-2
More Dale pressure saw Rachubka make the save of the game on the hour mark as he tipped away another Bunney effort.
Will Kinder and Kyle Hardman replaced Jordan Bove and Danny Byrnes before Thompson matched Rachubka's earlier effort to keep out Tomos Clarke's goal bound header, following good work from Anton Rodgers and Kirk Millar.
Latics final substitution saw Haydn Foulds replace Millar before Rachubka again pulled off a great save, this time to keep out Cummins. Latics keeper was beaten again with two minutes remaining as Bunney raced onto a neat through ball to slot home and clinch the win for his side.
FT: 1-3
Latics: Rachubka, Gosset, Mellor, Belezika, Clarke, Rodgers, Kissock, Winchester, Bove (Kinder), Millar (Foulds), Byrnes (Hardman).
Unused subs: Coleman, Edmundson.