Latics rounded off their pre-season with a 1-1 draw at League Two Grimsby Town… but the result could have been so much better.
Lone striker Callum Lang continued his magnificent form with an early goal from close range, converting Gavin Massey’s cross on 5 minutes.
And Latics remained in firm control of proceedings until the dying stages, when the marauding Mariners equalised with a last-minute penalty. Jordan Flores upended Tom Bolarinwa, and Ben Davies sent Walton the wrong way to pinch parity with a solid spot-kick.
But the visitors had enough chances to be beyond reach by that point.
Alex Gilbey saw his reactionary effort cleared off the line by Nathan Clarke on 16 minutes, then nodded Mickey Jacobs’ header just wide.
And when Will Grigg arrived to replace Lang at the break, he might have emulated his predecessor to score early in the second half. However, the former League One Golden Bootman’s overhead effort slipped past the post.
Shortly after, Grigg and Jacobs were both denied by a splendid double save from James McKeown. This passage of play was significant in more ways than one, as it marked the start of a Grimsby fightback.
Unfortunately, the hosts broke through with but seconds to play. Flores felled wingman Bolarinwa – a veteran of Thai domestic football – and as Ben Davies converted the penalty, Latics’ win instantly transformed into a slightly less impressive draw.
Nevertheless, Wigan have completed their pre-season unbeaten, scoring a handful of goals in the process. And most importantly, Paul Cook now knows who might feature in his side’s opening fixtures… and who will be relegated to the reserve team for their sins.
Oooh, sore point?
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