A vintage Latics performance secured a 4-1 victory against Crewe Alexandra at home
◦ Match Report | Latics U21s 4 vs Crewe Alexandra U21s 1
◦ Goals from Finn O’Boyle, Tobias Brennan, Jack Reilly and Jack Rogers were enough at Christopher Park.
◦ Chris Brown’s Tics host Peterborough United at CP next Tuesday.
A vintage Latics performance secured a 4-1 victory against Crewe Alexandra at home. Goals from Finn O’Boyle, Tobias Brennan, Jack Reilly and Jack Rogers secured all three points in the Professional Development League.
Latics made two changes from the side that beat Fleetwood Town U21s, as Matteo Spinelli and Leo Graham were replaced by Matthew Corran and Christy Edwards.
A superb high press from Latics allowed them the chance for their first goal of the afternoon; Brennan won the ball high and slipped it across to O’Boyle, who made no mistake and slotted home.
Latics second came a little after the five-minute mark when Brennan broke through the Alex backline and expertly placed the ball over the keeper and into the back of the net.
It really should have been three on the cusp of 15 minutes. A well-worked set piece freed up Christy Edwards, whose floated delivery found Jack Rogers for a close-range header, but his effort rose inches over the bar.
The third came with ten minutes of the first half remaining. Brennan, amid an inspired performance, won the ball high and slipped in Reilly on goal, who, with the inside of his foot, curled into the corner of the Alexandra net.
A rare counter-attack from the Railwaymen resulted in Owen Taylor being free inside the area. His low effort was too much for Corran to reduce the lead to two.
Latics' three-goal lead was re-established after the interval from a set-piece after Llyton Chapman fired a free kick into the area that nearly deceived the goalkeeper, allowing Jack Rogers space to prod home.
A spectacular run from McKee allowed him to fire it across for Reilly to turn home, but he couldn’t extend Latics' lead, sweeping over the crossbar before the full-time whistle sounded and Latics secured all three points.