Latics Reserves Lose Entertaining Game

An entertaining game saw the Latics mix of youth and experience, narrowly go down to a Manchester City side which matched Wigan’s flair pass for pass.

Latics gave debuts to triallists Jurgen Macho and Modeste M’Bami in goal and midfield respectively and were accompanied by first team squad members Daniel De Ridder,James Mc Carthy, Marlon King and the returning Olivier Kapo along with Rachid Bouaouzan and Antonio Amaya.

Whilst the City team lacked many of the stellar names associated with their first team squad (with the exception of Sylvinho and Onuha), they played with flair and skill that would not look out of place in the first team.
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In truth Latics matched them for most of the game with four defensive mistakes leading to all four City goals.

For Latics, De Ridder finished well from a Bouaouzan break, Mc Carthy hit a wonderful strike from outside the area and then Kapo made no mistake with a powerful shot.

Latics could consider themselves unlucky to lose, when a Kapo free kick from outside the area looked to have gone over the line but both the referee and non russian linesman ruled the ball hadn’t croseed the line.

Latics also had a good shout for a penalty, when Bouaouzan weaved into the area and was fouled twice once inside and once outside. The referee appeared to wave play on from the first foul but when Rachid went down in the area went back to award the free kick for the first foul.

The final whistle brought a disappointing conclusion to what have been an excellent performance.

Player Ratings

Jurgen Macho…5/10
Couldn’t be faulted for any of the goals but didn’t show enough to warrant a contract in my opinion

John Routledge…5/10
Did ok agaisnt a very lively City side

Adam Buxton…5/10
Made two mistakes which unfortunately led to goals

Antonio Amaya…5/10
Powerful in the area, was left for pace on several occasions though

Jordan Mustoe…6/10
The best of the back four, looked good going forward

James Mc Carthy…8/10
Showed why we battled Wolves for his signiture

Daniel De Ridder…6/10
Took his goal well, showed some neat touches

Modeste M’Bami…6/10
Very similar to Diame and Thomas, short of match fitness but played the full 90 minutes. Not sure whether he did enough to gain a contract from the watching Martinez.

Rachid Bouaouzan…7/10
Quick and direct, casued plenty of trouble for the City defence.

Olivier Kapo…7/10
A good return to playing and looked to be enjoying his footbsll again which is good for Wigan.

Marlon King…6/10
Put himself about but struggled playing the lone forward role