Tony Philliskirk’s youth team ran riot as they recorded a 5-0 victory away to Rotherham United on Saturday.
Goals from Brad Kay, Kallum Mantack, Brendy Glackin and a double from Jake Hargreaves sealed the victory for the youngsters.Latics took the early lead as striker Kay did really well to hold the defender off. He spun inside the penalty area and scored from 16 yards out to give Philliskirk’s side the lead.
Rotherham played good football and had a few half chances but midway through the first half, Hargreaves doubled the advantage with a well taken finish from the edge of the box.
Chris Renshaw was forced into action at the end of the half but Latics held on to the two goal advantage at half time.
The next goal was important and the young Latics scored three minutes into the second half through Mantack.
He received the ball at the back post and fired past the goalkeeper to make it 3-0.
Two goals in quick succession followed as Glackin notched the fourth and Hargreaves hit his second of the game to make it 5-0 and complete the convincing win.
Speaking about the game, Philliskirk said: “It was a convincing performance and all the lads played very well. The performance was reminiscent of when we were in a good place at the end of last season.
“We have been disappointed in the last two league fixtures before now but we saw elements that the lads were getting a grip of things and everything came to fruition on Saturday.
“We had one or two chances to increase the lead towards the end of the game and we defended solidly throughout so overall it was a very pleasing day.”