Latics sunk by Stags in final pre-season test

Latics’ hopes of finishing their series of pre-season friendlies unbeaten were dashed thanks to defeat by Mansfield Town on Saturday.

The League Two side won 3-0 at Boundary Park to ensure Athletic’s six match warm-up record showed two victories, three draws and one loss.

Latics captain Liam Hogan led his side out at Boundary Park onto a newly laid £1m pitch in front of a crowd of just under 2,500.

It was the first time the players had played a game on a magnificently created playing surface that the ground staff had painstaking worked on all summer – it must now surely rank as the best in the National League.

Latics boss David Unsworth was forced to leave out new signing Josh Lundstram, who missed the chance to make his first start at Boundary Park after being injured in the 1-1 draw at Barrow on Tuesday.

Midfielder Dan Ward came in.

Mike Fondop and Joe Nuttall initially started as the two-up front, with a back four of Shaun Hobson, Liam Hogan, Charlie Raglan and Mark Kitching. Devarn Green, Mark Shelton, Nathan Sheron and Ward took the midfield spots.

For Raglan, Hobson and Ward this was their first game at Boundary Park and, having featured prominently during pre-season, they must be in line to make their league debuts this coming Saturday at Southend.

The pre-match build up saw Latics legend Joe Royle officially open the newly refurbished “Athletic Store”, with the premises in the Joe Royle stand having received a full rebrand and redesign.

For the match itself, Latics started brightly with several good early chances going begging from Fondop, Nuttall, Ward and Hogan, although Magnus Norman in goal was forced to make some fine saves.

The Stags grew into the match and, after a period of pressure, took the lead after 34 minutes, with Lucas Akins latching onto a Johnson pass to fire past Norman.

Reid replaced Fondop at half time, but any chance of Latics fighting back to get something from the game was effectively killed off when Mansfield grabbed two goals in five minutes shortly after the restart.

Akins grabbed his and Mansfield’s second on 54 minutes before, soon after, Rhys Oates produced the best moment of the game, beating Norma from range to seal the Stags’ victory.

Reid came close before being replaced by Willoughby late on as Latics sought some consolation, but the game disappointedly petered out.

So, attention now turns to the start of the National League proper when Latics make the long journey to Roots Hall on Saturday to take on financially struggling Southend United.

The first home league game takes place on August 12th when Aldershot Town are the visitors.

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