OLDHAM ATHLETIC 0, WIGAN ATHLETIC 1
A fourth straight pre-season defeat for Oldham Athletic, the latest inflicted by Wigan, as their challenging build up to the new campaign continued.
There were encouraging signs, but the bottom line is that it was a further loss inflicted by a second-half free kick by Michael Jacobs, a stunner from 25 yards.
Latics carved out a number of clear-cut chances, though they still have managed only one goal pre-season, and that from trialist no longer at the club.
Loanee Lee Erwin had a goalbound shot blocked, Josh Law’s free kick struck a post and Kallum Mantack forced a decent save from keeper Adam Bogdan as Oldham began brightly.
Ollie Banks and Billy McKay also had decent openings before Wigan almost snatched the lead in the final minute of the opening period when Max Power’s drive struck the crossbar.
Latics continued to carve out openings in the second period when Ryan Flynn forced a decent save from substitute keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen.
Striker Jake Cassidy made his bow from the bench and had two good opportunities to grab the opening goal of the game, the first forcing a good save from Jaaskelainen.
Jamie Reckford played a return pass with Ryan Flynn but his shot was kept out by the Finnish keeper after 70 minutes.
The deadlock was broken in the 77th minute, but it was the visitors who snatched victory. Jacobs’ free kick found the bottom corner with keeper Connor Ripley beaten.
Latics had one late chance to equalise when substitute Lee Croft called Jaaskelainen into action yet again during a busy second period.