Saturday 1 September 2007
Puma Youth Alliance
Wigan Athletic U18 1Wrexham U18 3

THERE was some good news on Saturday as the Youth team continued their unbeaten start to the season with a resounding 3-1 success away to Premiership side Wigan Athletic at Christopher Park.

Having lost to the Latics in a pre-season friendly, the young Reds were up for the task from the kick-off and within 30 seconds had taken the lead through a stunning Mat Hurdman goal.

The Wales U17 midfielder unleashed a 25-yard effort that flew into the Wigan net and got the game off to a great start for the visitors.

The home side had a chance to level just five minutes later, when they were awarded a penalty, but their effort from 12-yards was put well wide of Chris Maxwell's goal.

Wrexham continued to pile on the pressure and it was something of a surprise that they headed into the dressing rooms at half time without adding to their tally.

Mark Stewart and Mark Head were a constant threat to the Wigan defence, passing up three or four good chances and then right on the whistle defender Chris Marriott missed a headed with the goal at his mercy.

Even when we did get the ball into the home net, a linesman's flag for a marginal offside decision denied us a goal.

At the interval the lads were given the simple instructions to carry on what they were doing and that's just what they did.

On 65 minutes we finally managed to breech their defences once again with Mat Hurdman curling an effort in from a little closer - only 20-yards this time!

Athletic gave themselves some hope when pulling a goal back from a freekick- the Wrexham defence not picking up the scorer.

The clinching goal arrived on 80 minutes, when a sweeping move saw the ball played in by George Stewart from the wing to Hurdman who crossed and Rob Pearson was on hand to head home at the back post.

Even then, the lads had two further chances to extend their advantage before the final whistle sounded.

Coach Steve Cooper was naturally delighted at the outcome:

"We were up for the game from the first minute and despite not scoring again in the first half, we just told the lads to give us more of the same in the second 45 minutes.

"To be fair to them, they did just that.

"Even when Wigan pulled one back, we kept our heads and came home with a great result."