LATICS 0 MIDDLESBROUGH 4
Reserves lose but Taylor's return and Olembe debut are major pluses

Latics' Reserves were well beaten but manager Mark Seagraves said he wasn't too despondent and preferred to look for plus points after only being able to field young side.

The major positive was a return to action for Ryan Taylor for his first taste of competitive action since Bramall Lane on the last day of the season. He played an hour of the match.

Making his debut for Latics at left back was Salomon Olembe and he impressed, while Rachid Bouaouzan also looked sharp and was unlucky not to score. Irish striker Craig Mahon also buzzed about with plenty of purpose.

No other professionals featured and Seagraves said he hoped this would be a good lesson for his young team.

"Middlesbrough have a very strong Academy, and I thought our boys fought well and were a little unlucky to lose so heavily," he said. "but they will grow as players after the experience and in football you always need to look for positives."

Thomas Craddock and Ben Hutchingson both scored twice for the visitors

LATICS
Saunders; Moore, Ashworth, Pearson, Olembe; Taylor (Holt), Cywka, Montrose, Bouaouzan; Mahon, McAughtrie (Hampson)