Warrington Rylands 2-1 Latics

A changed Latics side conceded a late goal as they were beaten by Warrington Rylands at Gorsey Lane.

Dan Gardner had given Micky Mellon’s side an early lead but they were pegged back midway through the first half before the home side claimed the win with ten minutes remaining.

After opening their pre-season account with victory over Stockport at the weekend, Latics took to the field with a number of changes, including youngster players and three new trialists within the squad.

It was with an excellent low strike that Gardner gave Latics a 15th-minute lead. The midfielder sent a sweet strike into the bottom right corner from 25 yards after sending an initial free-kick against the Rylands wall.

Latics saw plenty of the early play and could have added to their lead, Harry Charsley sending a neat ball out to the left, allowing Mo Doro to take the pass in his stride, but his shot cleared the crossbar.

Yet the home side created plenty of chances and by the time they equalised midway through the first half, it was deserved.

Latics’ trialist goalkeeper was called upon to make an early low save to deny Ntumba Massanka and he had to be alert again later in the half, thwarting an angled effort from Jake Burton.

Burton began to cause problems as the half went on, as did Massanka, who drew the home side level from inside the area on 25 minutes. The striker also fired wide late in the first half as the home team saw more of the play.

After an enforced change which saw Hammond withdraw before the break, Latics made a further six changes at half-time, including the introductions of Mike Fondop, Manny Monthe and Charlie Raglan.

Chances for the visitors, however, were at a premium and instead it was Burton, at the opposite end, who caused trouble, shooting over after a cross from Ben Hardcastle.

Monthe drew a save from Luke Pilling after rising highest to win a header at the far post from Mark Kitching’s free-kick.

Burns dragged a shot wide for the home side, latching onto a loose pass from a Latics trialist, and it was from another defensive lapse that Rylands claimed the win as a trialist pounced from close range ten minutes from time.

 

Oldham Athletic: Trialist A (Norman 46), Sutton, Hogan (Monthe 46), Hobson (Raglan 46), Moore (Trialist D 46), Gardner (Trialist C 60), Trialist B, Doro (Kitching 46), Charsley (Fondop 46), Hammond (Kay 37), Reid (Willoughby 60).

Subs not used: Hudson, Lundstram.