Report by SJG

FRIENDLY

BOOTLE F. C. vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

 23^rd July 2021

BUILDING UP TO THE BIG KICK OFF AS FITNESS LEVELS IMPROVE.

Wigan Athletic made it three wins from three as they ran out 3-1 winners over Bootle FC at Berry Street Garage Stadium.

Latics headed into this game on the back of two wins in pre-season over Oldham Athletic and AFC Fylde, and looked to build on it as they made the short trip to Merseyside.

Leam Richardson fielded a strong starting side looking to build relationships and combinations with games against Stoke and Preston around the corner. 

It was Latics who started stronger, and flexed their muscles early as Tendayi Darikwa and Callum Lang combined down the right for Darikwa to fire an effort on goal that deflected just wide. 

On the back of his stunning winner at Mill Farm on Tuesday night, Stephen Humphrys lined up another free-kick from the edge of the area, but his effort was well saved by the Bootle keeper with the ball travelling through bodies at pace.

Latics didn’t have to wait long after that to open the scoring as Thelo AASGAARD picked up the ball and found space on the edge of the area to curl into the bottom corner and hand the away side the lead. 

With momentum behind them, Latics continued to push and four minutes later almost doubled their lead as close range efforts from Aasgaard and Humphrys were blocked strongly by the goalkeeper. 

Just before half-time and Latics doubled their advantage as Tom NAYLOR rose highest to a Gwion Edwards cross to hand the visitors a two-goal lead at the break. 

Half Time; Bootle F. C. 0-2 Wigan Athletic.

In the second half, a third goal followed as Lang scored his second goal in three pre-season games. A corner was recycled back into the penalty area, and LANG manoeuvred his body brilliantly to shoot on the turn and beat the goalkeeper. 

With a three-goal advantage it was time for Leam Richardson to make a number of changes to his side, handing minutes to a number of the younger members of the pre-season squad. 

One of those substitutes, Tom Costello, came close to adding a fourth for Latics when meeting a cross from the left-hand side but was denied by another good save from the Bootle keeper. 

The hosts started to work their way into the second half, and tested Jamie Jones with a strong headed effort on goal, but the Latics keeper was up to the task with an outstanding acrobatic save. 

Bootle were not to be denied, and reduced the deficit with one of the final chances of the game as another powerful header fired towards Jones’ goal, and on this occassion the Latics keeper couldn’t keep it out.  

It is another victory for Leam Richardson’s side, with minutes handed to a high number of his squad, with games against Stoke City and Preston North End awaiting Latics next week. 

Full Time; Bootle F. C.  1-3 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; Aasgaard (19), Naylor (44), Lang (48); Not Known (85);

Attendance; 600 (estimated).

Wigan Athletic (4-2-3-1) --- Amos (G); Darikwa, Whatmough, Long, Pearce;  Naylor, Power; Edwards, Aasgaard, Lang; Humphrys; Subs--- J. Jones (G), Robinson, Carragher, Lloyd, Trialist, Trialist, Smith, Trialist, McHugh, McGee, Costello

Referee; Not Known;