Premier League Cup Highlights | Latics U23 3 Sunderland U23 1
Chris Sze’s excellent hat-trick helps Latics U23s maintain their 100% record in the Premier League Cup.
- U23 Premier League Cup Report | Latics 3 Sunderland 1
- Latics maintain their 100% record in the Premier League Cup
- Will Harris’ ninth-minute opener was cancelled out by Chris Sze’s excellent second half hat-trick
LATICS 3
Sze 47, 68, 84
SUNDERLAND 1
Harris 10
Wigan Athletic Under 23s maintained their 100% record in the Premier League Cup following an impressive 3-1 victory over Sunderland AFC on Tuesday afternoon.
Will Harris opened the scoring for Sunderland in the first half before an excellent second half hat-trick from Chris Sze secured the victory for Latics.
Peter Murphy made four changes from the side that defeated Mansfield Town last time out, with first team left back Joe Bennett featuring for 45 minutes, while Arthur Lomax, Harry McHugh and Sze also came into the side in place of James Carragher, Harry McGee, Thelo Aasgaard and Tom Costello.
The home side had the first opportunity to take the lead when Sze found himself one on one with Sunderland goalkeeper Jack McIntyre just two minutes into the match but his dinked effort went just wide.
Despite the early pressure, the visitors opened the scoring in the 10th minute. A teasing delivery from Cieran Dunne met Tyrese Dyce whose effort was initially kept out before Harris was able to tap in the rebound.
The Black Cats could have furthered their lead shortly after when Ellis Taylor fired his effort over the crossbar after a good delivery on the left side from Benjamin Kimpioka.
Latics had the chance to equalise 31 minutes into the match when Divin Baningme was fouled on the edge of the area, resulting in a free-kick from the left. McHugh whipped the ball into the box but McIntyre did well to claim.
Sunderland had the next couple of chances through their danger man Harris. First, he managed a powerful run down the left side of field but his shot could only find the side netting. He had another opportunity soon after but his low effort proved to be no real danger for Sam Tickle in the Latics net.
Just before half time, Tickle was called upon again when Dunne charged down the left side but his final shot was claimed well.
Murphy’s side came out fighting in the second half and it was not long before they got themselves level. McHugh’s teasing delivery from the corner glanced onto the head of Sze who was able to find the back of the net from close range.
Latics got themselves in front in the 68th minute when Sze once again found himself on the scoresheet. Luke Robinson’s initial cross fell at the feet of the trialist who had his shot saved by McIntyre but Sze reacted well to guide the ball home for 2-1.
Sze almost got his hat-trick when he tried his luck from the edge of the area but his shot was just wide of the far post.
Though the forward did not have to wait long before securing his hat-trick after he timed his run perfectly to beat the offside trap and chip his shot over McIntyre to wrap up the victory for his side and cap off a successful week, which has included an Emirates FA Cup appearance and first senior goal in Latics' Papa John's Trophy win against Shrewsbury Town.
Attention now turns to Barnsley U23 in the Professional Development League when they travel to Christopher Park at the start of December.
Latics: Tickle, Trialist, Long, Robinson, Bennett (Payne 45), Adeeko, Smith (Capt) (McGee 60), Baningime, McHugh, Lomax (Trialist 65), Sze.
Subs: Mooney, Payne, McGee, Trialist, Costello.
Sunderland: McIntyre, Dyce, Dunne, Younger (Ryder 72), Xhemajli, Almond, Taylor, Wilding (Capt), Harris, Kimpioka, Wearne.
Subs: Jessup, Carney, Ryder, Middlemas.