RESERVES: Experienced Newcastle too strong for young Latics

NEWCASTLE UNITED 5
WIGAN ATHLETIC 0

Keith Bertschin's young Latics found the gulf in experience just too big to gulf as they were well beaten by a very strong Newcastle United on the big stage at St James Park.

Latics were fielding Under 16 keeper Callum Williams in a defence also featuring 16 years Adam Buxton, plus were forced to bring on three more Youth teamers, and although Bertshin's young team gave it everything, they were given a very tough lesson by a far more experienced team.

And yet, they only went in 1-0 down at the break having battled tenaciously early on and in fact almost took the lead through Joran Mustoe's rasping long range effort. The second goal came on the hour and as tired legs gave way in the last ten minutes and mistakes crept into their game, three goals in seven minutes was a cruel blow for all Latics' hard work. 

Spain Under 21 international Xisco scored two while England Striker Alan Smith, Brazil international midfielder Claudio Cacapa, and the likes David Edgar and Kazenga Lua Lua, who have plenty of first team games between them, proved too hot to handle. For the record, the other goals came from Capaca, Lua Lua and Nile Ranger.

Despite the scoreline, Bertschin was not too downhearted he said: "It was a tough lesson for them," he said, "but hopefully they can learn from it and bounce back from the disappointment. I couldn't really fault them for effort but they were a young team. Let's see if they can learn something from this."

LATICS:
Williams, Buxton, Pearson, Field, Mustoe, Mahon (Redmond), Hampson, Routledge,(Breeze), Kupisz (McManaman), Holt, Cywka
Subs not used: Kirkbride, Crane