Report by SJG

Latics headed North to Scotland for a week-long training camp to get back to fitness after the summer break. Paul Jewell took the opportunity to look at a number of trialists and three games were arranged against local opposition.

FRIENDLY

ST. MIRREN vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

21^st July 2001 

LATICS EASE BACK INTO THE FRAY.

A fine glancing header from Ged Brannan and a confident Liddell penalty saw Wigan return to action with a narrow win against their hosts St. Mirren, who grabbed a goal of their own in the second half to set up an exciting finale in what was a good run out for both sides.

Latics took the lead in the 19^th minute when LIDDELL opened his account for the season from the penalty spot and that was to be the only goal in a first half that, as is often the case in pre-season, lacked that competitive edge to truly test the combatants.

Half Time; St Mirren 0-1 Wigan Athletic.

Both sides used a number of substitutes in the second period as the aim was clearly to improve squad fitness rather than gain the bragging rights that come from victory.  A quick play saw BRANNAN find space and time and he glanced home a second goal in the 53^rd minute with a neat header.

The changes to the line ups did not help the pattern of play and RITCHIE pulled a goal back for the hosts to set up a more frantic finale which could easily have seen the Scottish side scoring again as they spurned a couple of very presentable chances in the closing stages.

Full Time; St. Mirren 1-2 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; Liddell (19, pen), Brannan (53); Ritchie (68);

Attendance; 500

WIGAN ATHLETIC; Stillie; Nolan, Sharp, De Zeeuw, Tod; Brannan, Nicholls, Johnson, Kennedy; Roberts, Liddell; SUBS—McLoughlin (for Nicholls), Mclaughlin (for Kennedy), Mitchell (for Sharp), Green (for Nolan), Gallon (for Johnson);

ST. MIRREN; Roy; Robinson, Kerr, Turner, McLaughlin; Walker, Ritchie, Murray, McGarry; Bowman, Yardley; SUBS--- Rudden, McKenzie, Gillies, Quintango, Brown, McKnight, Scrimgour;

Referee; Mr. Colin Hardie.