Report by SJG

FRIENDLY

BAMBER BRIDGE vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

5^th July 2022

CLASSY LATICS ARE IN THE GROOVE.

Latics returned the playing pitch to take on local non-league side Bamber Bridge.  On a pleasantly warm summer evening a decent support had made the short trip up the M6 to see the action. The home side included old Latics favourite David Perkins in their starting XI and he produced a typical all action display for the hosts.

Latics began brightly and Wyke played a nice ball in behind the home defence and it was only good, alert keeping by Felix Goddard that saw Langs low driven cross come to nothing.

On nine minutes Latics went ahead, a deep corner from Tom Pearce found the head of Jack Whatmough, his goal-bound effort was blocked on the line, but LANG reacted quickly to the rebound and fired home. The lead was doubled a minute later when PEARCE crossed deep to the far post and the keeper was left stranded as the cross went over his head and into the net via the upright.  Bamber Bridge tried to respond and Jones was called into action when Churchman got on the end of a cross by Sinclair on the right. Latics were coming under a sustained period of pressure and with Perkins pulling the strings in midfield. Jamie Jones was forced into a fine reflex save when Pond, at full stretch, diverted a low driven free kick towards goal. Wigan soaked up the pressure and went further ahead when Aasgaard found space and sent in a curling shot that Goddard could only palm out and LANG was again first to react and slotted home. Wigan were now dominant and on the stroke of half-time they nearly grabbed a fourth when an Aasgaard free kick beat the diving keeper but passed narrowly over.

Half Time; Bamber Bridge 0-3 Wigan Athletic.

The break saw a whole host of changes as manager Richardson tried to give all his squad time on the park as he looked to ensure that all his squad gained match fitness.  Wigan continued to dominate and following good link up play from McClean and Humphrys it was Magennis who found the back of the net, only for the offside flag to be raised.

Humphrys had a close-range header well saved after a precise cross by Jamie McGrath had found him in space in the penalty box. Then just after the hour mark a well delivered free-kick by McClean picked put MAGENNIS who nodded home.

With a comfortable four goal lead Latics could have been forgiven for easing back but they continued to press with Humphrys seemingly desperate to add his name to the list of scorers on the night. One surging run saw the ex-Rochdale man firing at goal from a tight angle but he failed to hit the target. Then, a few minutes later, Magennis nearly netted from a free kick when his thunderous drive stung the hands of Goddard.  Jordan Cousins then fired narrowly wide after strong work in the midfield to close down the home side. In the 74^th minute local lad Scott SMITH bundled home a fifth goal against his boyhood club when the keeper spilled a McClean low cross.

The home side grabbed some late joy when a header from a free kick looped over Amos and nestled into the Latics net, but it was just a consolation and Wigan calmly played out the remaining minutes.

Full Time; Bamber Bridge 1-5 Wigan Athletic.

Attendance; 750 (est)

Scorers; Lang (9), (24), Pearce (10), Magennis (61), Smith (74); Trialist (83);

Team; WIGAN first half (4-2-3-1)—Jones; Darikwa, Pearce, Carragher, Whatmough; Naylor, Power; Aasgaard, Sze, Lang; Wyke;

WIGAN second half (4-2-3-1)—Amos; Kerr, Hughes, Robinson, Smith; Cousins, Shinnie; McGrath, McClean, Humphrys; Magennis;

SUBS not used; Tickle, Brennan;

Referee; TBA