Report by SJG

FRIENDLY

CURZON ASHTON vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

 12^th July 2025

A SPANISH LESSON AS HEAT AND ERRORS SEE VICTORY ELUDE THE TICS.

After a hard week on the training pitch the players must have been grateful for some proper match action as they donned their playing gear to take on non-league outfit Curzon Ashton in the mid-day sun.

The Wigan fans made the most of the prospect of seeing their team in action on foreign soil and around 300 fans booked themselves onto short weekend breaks in the Benidorm area to enjoy sangria, tapas and football.

The team, however, may have been guilty of enjoying a mid-day siesta as the non-league side took full toll of some early sloppy defending to grab a surprise lead as a TRIALIST was on hand to bundle the ball home following a set play.

Latics responded well and took control of proceedings as they searched for a quick leveller but despite creating a number of decent chances the ball would not fall for the increasingly frustrated forwards.

Fraser Murray went close on 25 minutes when he checked inside and curled an effort from 25 yards that beat the keeper but bounced to safety off the crossbar.

The conditions were brutal with temperatures over 30C and water breaks were absolutely essential.

The non-league side were well drilled and worked well at keeping their shape and frustrating their more illustrious opponents.

However, Wigan did create a number of openings but poor finishing and fine goalkeeping meant that Curzon Ashton lead at the break.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 0-1 Curzon Ashton.

Latics made wholesale changes at the break but the pattern of the game did not change with Wigan pushing hard and Curzon proving very adept at closing down space and restricting scoring opportunities. Christian Saydee and Asamoah Junior both were denied by fine saves and it took a moment of Cal Mac brilliance to finally level the scores in the 76^th minute.

MCMANAMAN began the move as he shifted the ball across the midfield and the ball finally arrived with Jonny Smith who sent in a teasing cross that was met by a fine flying diving header at the far post. The veteran (I think that title applies now) wing man had continued his run into the box and his pure determination in the heat saw him arriving first to direct his header home.

Wigan tried to find a winning goal but the heat was now taking its toll and the spoils were shared with both squads having been thoroughly tested in the sapping conditions.

Time for ice baths, recovery by the pool and packing the cases before the flights home.

Full Time; Curzon Ashton 1-1 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; McManaman (76); Trialist (2);

Attendance; 300 (estimated)

Wigan Athletic (3-5-2) --- Tickle; Carragher, Kerr, Robinson; Murray, Francois, Brennan, Mellish, Rankine; Costelloe, Mullin; Subs—Corran (for Tickle), Weir (for Robinson), Aimson (for Kerr), Marni-Miller (for Carragher), Hungbo (for Rankine), McManaman (for Murray), M. Smith (for Francois), Darcy (for Brennan), J. Smith (for Mellish), Saydee (for Mullin), Asamoah (for Costelloe);

Curzon Ashton (4-4-2) --- Hawkins; Richards, Stafford, Poscha, Amado; Darby, McLean, Curran, Trialist; Trialist, Rodwell-Grant; Subs--- Not Known;

Referee; Not Known.