Latics open pre-season schedule with draw after positive performance

OLDHAM ATHLETIC 1
Stephens 18

WIGAN ATHLETIC 1
Gomez 47 (pen)

Report by Paul Chialton

A good start to Latics' pre-season programme and a good introduction to English football for debutant Mauro Boselli.

Making his introduction after half-time the Argentine showcased the kind of intelligence, creativity and spark that Roberto Martinez wanted to bring into his side.

No sooner had Jordi Gomez scored an equalising penalty had Boselli carved open his first opportunity, twisting beautifully on the edge of the area, making space and smacking the ball goalwards, only for the crossbar to deny a fantastic start to his Wigan Athletic career.


Jordi Gomez slots home the penalty for the equaliser.

His quick-thinking and precise passing brought others into the game including the impressive trialist Lauren Merlin who put few feet wrong.

Ten minutes before the end an instinctive volley from the club's new signing on the edge of the six-yard-box was somehow saved, giving fans a real taste for what's to come.

Elsewhere there was an impressive display from young Spaniard Roman Golobart at centre-half who, after missing so much of last season through injury gave a commanding performance.

Overall as nice as it is to pick up results in pre-season that's not what tonight was about. The two sides that emerged in either half wanted to get the ball down, find rhythm and get some momentum started before the start of the new season.

Oldham provided the ideal opponent to make Latics work to make that happen, playing fast, controlled football themselves.

Onwards now to the team's pre-season tour of Austria on Saturday and the chance to take their preparations to the next level.

Latics first-half: Al-Habsi, Boyce, Golobart, Amaya, Mustoe; Diame, Sekou (trialist), N'Zogbia, Watson, Moses; Scotland

Latics second-half: Pollitt, Boyce, Amaya (Redmond, 78), Golobart, Mustoe, McCarthy, Sekou, Gomez, Lauren, Rodallega, Boselli

Subs: Serrano, Holt, Langley, de Ridder, Breeze, McManaman,