Latics 1-5 Man City U21

Latics suffered defeat in their opening Vertu Trophy Group E fixture against Manchester City U21.

The visitors ran out comfortable winners against a much-changed Latics side, scoring three times in the lead-up to half-time on their way to claiming the three points.

City, whose side won a fourth PL2 title in five seasons last campaign, had too much on the might, their sharp play and technical proficiency shining through.

A reshaped Latics team was most notable for the return of Jake Caprice and Harry Charsley, both of whom featured for the first time after lengthy injury lay-offs by playing the first half hour.

Charlie Olson was also handed his Latics debut following his recent loan move from Blackburn, whilst Will Sutton skippered a side which showed 11 changes from the weekend draw at Fleetwood.

Despite some early promise, Charlsey’s shot blocked by Kian Noble after good play from Josh Hawkes down the left, the visitors soon took command.

Mahamadou Sangare and Justin Oboavwoduo posed the main threat and they scored the opening two goals for a young City side whose impressive ability shone through.

Sangare put the visitors in front on 38 minutes, netting an emphatic first-time finish after Stephen Mfuni’s fine pass out of midfield sent Emilio Lawrence free down the left to cross.

And that was the cue for three City goals in the space of ten minutes before half-time.

Oboavwoduo added a second soon after, Lawrence again involved with a pass into his team-mate, who found the bottom right-hand corner.

In added time before the break, Oboavwoduo then brought through the Latics defence and, having initially been denied by a challenge from Sutton, he teed up Ashton Muir to score with Tom Donaghy committed.

City should have opened their account earlier, Lawrence bringing a strong, low save from Donaghy midway through the first half before Oboavwoduo bent a shot wide after a strong run towards the edge of the box.

Lawrence then had an effort blocked by Sutton after cutting in from the left, whilst Muir dragged a shot wide of the neat post at the end of the sharp passing move.

There was some respite for Latics at the start of the second period, Luke Hannant converting a penalty after Kane Drummond was tripped in the area.

But City restored their three-goal advantage as Sangare netted his second with an angled shot from inside the area before Muir completed the scoring in the closing stages.

Among the Latics squad were four scholars from the recently reformed academy, Oliver Howard featuring as a first-half substitute in place of Caprice.

Latics will face Rotherham and Bolton in their other Group E fixtures, with the top two sides progressing to the last 16.

 

Oldham Athletic: Donaghy, Charsley (Drummond 37), Sutton, Hannant, Caprice (Howard 37), Hawkees, Olson, Harratt, Hammond, Kay, Waters.

Subs not used: Hudson, Butterfield, Kershaw, Steele.

Manchester City U21: Brits, McFarlane, Fapetu (Dada-Mascoll 79), Muir, Sangare (Warhurst 79), Obovwoduo, Heskey, Noble, Mfuni, Samuel, Lawrence.

Subs not used: Wint, Naylor, Braithwaite.

Referee: Steve Copeland

Attendance: 1,753