PNE 1-3 Latics

An impressive Wigan Athletic were just too strong for League 1 side Preston North End in this preseason friendly on a gloriously sunny Sunday afternoon in Lancashire.

The Latics were quick of the blocks, taking the lead inside the first 30 seconds of the game, Victor Moses gaining possession on the left ran at the Preston defenders, his cross caused mayhem in the home defence and a clearance took a ricochet off James McCarthy to put the Latics 1-0 to the good.

Roberto Martinez’s men looked a class apart from their lower league neighbours and it was no surprise when the second goal went in after eight minutes. Victor Mosses again on the ball, this time he opted to shoot himself and he curled the ball home from 18 yards.


By permission of Bernard Platt/Wigan Athletic

Latics were in complete control with Diame, Gomez, Thomas and especially Moses looking class, the back four weren’t troubled by the Preston attack and dealt comfortably with the threat of former player Neil Mellor and his side kick Ian Hulme.

So it was a surprise when the home side pulled a goal back, a corner was swung into the box and PNE defender Amine Linganzi met it sweetly, Mike Pollitt appeared to have the ball covered but it took a wicked deflection off the head of Emmerson Boyce and ended up in the back of the net.

The Latics wasted no time whatsoever restoring their two goal lead, an attack from the restart led to a corner, Gomez played it short to Moses who then found Boyce with a great cross, the Barbados international made no mistake from 8 yards and planted his header firmly in the back of the net.


By permission of Bernard Platt/Wigan Athletic

Martinez made a few changes at half time and although there were no more goals in the game the Latics did come close on several occasions, one fantastic Jordi Gomez effort which crashed against the bar.

The second half also brought appearances for Daniel Redmond, Roman Golobart and Adrian Lopez formed a good centre back pairing, trialist David Jones looked impressive, whilst fellow trialist, Mali international Nouha Dicko, didn`t get long enough to make a judgement on.

All in all a good work out


Teams
PNE
Turner, Jordan, Linganzi, Carlisle, Morgan, Hume, Coutts, Nicholson, Devine, Russell, Mellor
Subs: Proctor, Daley, Mayor, Parry, Leather, Wright, Miller, Middleton

Latics
Pollitt, Boyce, Caldwell (Lopez, 69), Gohouri (Golobart, 46), Figueroa, Thomas (Watson, 46), McCarthy (McArthur, 46), Diame (Jones 46), Gomez (Redmond, 80), Moses (Trialist, 69), Sammon (Di Santo, 46).
Subs not used: Al Habsi, Boothman