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Reserves: Middlsebrough 5 Latics 0

Last updated : 01 September 2006 By Sean Molyneux

Latics new reserve team coach Mark Seagraves fielded a young side with only the likes of Tomasz Cywka, Andreas Johansson, Josip Skoko, Mike Pollitt and Matt Jackson providing any form of Premiership experience.

Tomasz Cywka


Meanwhile freshly retired Boro coach Colin Cooper started off his tenure with an experienced line-up that included the likes of Malcolm Christie, Danny Graham, Andrew Davies, James Morrison and Adam Johnson.

However Latics, despite the scoreline, were unlucky not to have got on the scoresheet after dominating the opening period of the game with a host of early opportunities almost giving them the lead.

Youngster Tomasz Cywka was first to go close, forcing Boro keeper Ross Turnbull into a good save after Kris King's shot hit the bar.

Yet minutes later Latics were made to rue the missed chance as Boro striker Malcolm Christie drilled low past Wigan keeper Mike Pollitt to give the home side an unexpected lead. But despite going behind, Seagraves men stayed strong and held out Boro till half time.

Minutes after the break Cywka came close to scoring once again. The Polish midfielder this time forcing keeper Turnbull to scamper across goal as he hit the side netting.

And Kris King, fresh from an impressive performance against Southport, also went agonisingly close when his effort cracked the upright minutes later.

But with these missed opportunities came frustration and a lack of concentration, leading to a 19 minute spell which saw Pollitt beaten four times, putting the game beyond any doubt.

Boro's Malcolm Christie, who played in the first team's 4-0 win over Portsmouth only 24 hours previously, hit a quick brace completing his hat-trick and demoralising the Latics side.

Middlesbrough grew in strength and soon made it four when an Adam Johnson corner found David Wheater who headed past Pollitt with ease from only six yards out.

And the rout was completed five minutes later when James Morrison's through ball put Boro forward Danny Graham clear to slot home from the edge of the area.

A disappointed Mark Seagraves told Wigan's official website afterwards:"No coach likes to lose any game but we were probably the better side in the early stages and we have to draw encouragement and build from that."

The Reserves' have a chance to do so away at Newcastle on Wednesday 13th September at Kingston Park. Kick off - 7.00 pm

Teams:

Middlesbrough reserves: Turnbull; McMahon, Hines, Goulon (Walker 76), Wheater, Davies (Capt.), Morrison (Craddock 80), Kennedy, Christie (Williams 83), Graham, Johnson.

Unused Subs: Grounds.

Wigan reserves: Pollitt, McArdle (Holt 67), King, Skoko, Jackson (Capt), Pearson, Moore, Cywka, Johansson, Dunn (Smith 77), Hampson.

Unused Subs: Saunders, Ashworth, McAughtrie