By @LaticsOfficial

LATICS AND CHORLEY SHARE THE SPOILS IN SECOND PRE-SEASON FIXTURE.

  • Match Report | Chorley FC 0 Latics 0
  • A young Tics XI play out a goalless draw with Chorley.
  • Latics next face AFC Fylde on Saturday.

CHORLEY FC 0

LATICS 0

Attendance: 1,559

A young Wigan Athletic side played out a goalless draw with Chorley FC in our second pre-season friendly on a warm evening at Victory Park.

Latics controlled the ball for most of the game, but struggled to create too many clear-cut opportunities. Andy Lonergan made two big second half saves in quick succession, the first from a free-kick and the second from the resulting corner which secured a clean sheet in a fixture which was all about minutes in the legs.

Shaun Maloney named seven Heatable Latics Academy graduates in his starting line-up, including U18 second-year scholars Elijah Igiehon and Christy Edwards. Will Aimson made his first outing in Latics colours after arriving from Exeter City on Monday, while Jason Kerr captained the side in his first pre-season appearance following the birth of his child. 

Latics dominated the first 15 minutes in terms of possession, without threatening the Chorley goal and the first effort came from the visitors as Tom Carr fired a strike straight at Andy Lonergan.

At the right end, Calvin Ramsey fired wide from 25 yards after a lovely flowing move before Kerr had to be alert to deny Carlton Ubaezuonu.

Ramsey and Igiehon got in each other’s way in the opposition box before first Callum McManaman and then young Edwards, who was looking lively, both fired dangerous balls across the box.

The best chance of the half fell to Chorley centre half, Scott Wilson, but he headed wide from 10 yards when unchallenged.

McManaman was replaced by 17-year old Harrison Bettoni at the break. Jack Sampson had a free header for Chorley after meeting Warren Clarke’s cross, but his header went well wide.

Jack Reilly then fired wide from 30 yards after neat build up before Edwards again beat his man down the right, but Igiehon could not get good enough contact.

Lonergan was then called into action, diving to his left to deny Adam Blakeman’s curling free-kick before from the resulting corner he again denied the hosts with a wonderful save from Clarke’s header.

Another young Latics substitute got his chance as Leo Graham came on and good work down the left set up Harry McHugh, but he fired over from the edge of the box.

McHugh again tried his luck form distance and his time forced a low, diving save from Matt Urwin.

At the other end, Aimson and Kerr looked solid at the back together, whilst Kai Payne again impressed in midfield. As with any pre-season game, minutes in the legs was all that mattered.

LINE-UPS

Chorley FC XI:

Urwin, Henley, Wilson, Smith, Blakeman, Trialist A, Nolan, Horbury, Calveley, Carr, Hall.

Latics XI:

Lonergan, Ramsey, Aimson, Kerr (C), Reilly, Payne, S. Smith, McHugh, McManaman, Igiehon, Edwards.

Subs:

Tickle, Corran, Carragher, Sessegnon, Adeeko, M. Smith, Aasgaard, Bettoni, Graham, Rankine, Sze, J.Smith, U21 Trialist.