Two early goals for Wigan Athletic was enough to seal a pre-season victory at Boundary Park.
In Latics’ first fixture back on home turf, Keith Curle welcomed back fans favourite Dylan Bahamboula as well as giving new signing Hallam Hope his first appearance in the blue of Oldham.
On an uncharacteristically warm day at the so-called Ice Station Zebra, the visitors began the encounter strongly as they took the lead after just eight minutes. Former Latics loanee, Callum Lang had the skill and vision to backheel it to Stephen Humphrys inside the area before the attacker laid the ball to Gwion Edwards and he smashed into the top corner.
Shortly after, Leam Richardson’s side doubled their advantage when Humphrys, recently signed from Rochdale, drilled a free-kick straight at the goalkeeper, however, Trialist A dropped the ball inside the box and Lang reacted sharply to blast into the back of the net.
In the 31st minute, the boys in blue managed to get a goal back courtesy of Hallam Hope. Trialist B constructed a pass out wide to Nicky Adams, the wing-back delivered a pinpoint cross to Hope and his powerful header was too quick for Ben Amos in the Wigan goal.
The second-half failed to offer the entertainment value as the prior 45, however, Trialist B tried his luck early into the half when a corner was cleared to him, but his sliced half-volley drifted way past the post.
Following that, Wigan won themselves a free-kick in a dangerous area on the edge of the box. Substitute Tom Pearce stepped up, but he witnessed his set-piece go agonisingly to past the near post.
Once again, Pearce caused Latics problems as he won back possession deep in the Latics half before driving goalwards, but the left-back’s curling effort rises over the crossbar.
In the last minute, Wigan nearly wrapped up the victory after great work from Dean Pinnington down the right before he laid it off to Tom Costello inside the box, but his effort cannoned off the crossbar and the danger was cleared.
Oldham Athletic XI – Trialist A (GK) (Trialist C 78’), McGahey (Fage 64’), Piergianni © (Trialist D 71’), Jameson (Sutton 63’), Hart (Trialist I 71’), Trialist B (Luamba 85’), Whelan (Trialist F 71’), Adams (Trialist E 46’), Bahamboula (Trialist G 46’), Keillor-Dunn (Da Silva 71’), Hope (Dearnley 46’).
Subs – Trialist H, Trialist J.
Goals: Hope 31’
Wigan Athletic XI – Amos (GK) (Jones 46’), Trialist (Darikwa 46’), Whatmough (Long 46’), Trialist (Carragher 46’), Robinson (Pearce 46’), Power (Costello 63’), Cousins (Naylor 46’), Edwards (Wyke 46’), Aasgaard (Pinnington 63’), Humphrys (Trialist 46’), Lang (Smith 63’).
Subs – McHugh, McGee, Lloyd.
Goals: Edwards 8’, Lang 14’