OLDHAM ATHLETIC 0, WIGAN ATHLETIC 6
After the euphoria of their victory at Sunderland in the previous round, Oldham Athletic were hit for six as they crashed out of the Papa John’s Trophy.
In the clash of the two Latics, it was Wigan who triumphed emphatically in the last 16 at Boundary Park.
And it was the margin of defeat which came as a shock and huge disappointment. After away back-to-back goalless draws at Hartlepool and Barrow, it looked as though better times may be around the corner.
But as has so far been the case in this wretched campaign, it seems a case of one step forward followed by two backwards.
In the early stages, there was no indication of how the night would unravel for Latics as it took Wigan almost half an hour to make a breakthrough.
But in the space of eight minutes, it was game effectively over as Wigan established a 3-0 lead.
After Latics’ win against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light in the previous round, interim head coach Selim Benachour opted for a host of changes to his starting line-up with youth team player Trey Turner handed a surprise start for his professional debut.
Wigan, fielding a strong side, made their intentions clear from the start as they clearly had Wembley in their sights.
Former Latics’ loanee Callum Lang set up captain Tendayo Darkiwa whose shot struck an upright.
Leam Richardson’s side the breakthrough in the 28th minute. Max Power’s free kick was converted by Tom Naylor with a glanced header.
It could have been two soon after when Tom Pearce burst down the left and crossed for Will Keane whose effort was blocked by goalkeeper Danny Rogers.
It was only a temporary reprieve when Power’s corner was headed home by former Manchester United striker Keane.
Two minutes later, Power got his name on the scoresheet firing home a spectacular free kick from 30 yards into the top corner, and surely a candidate for a best-goal award.
Wigan added a fourth goal within two minutes of the restart through a low drive from Gavin Massey following neat build-up play from Lang and Power.
Oldham-born Stephen Humphrys forced Rogers into a smart stop after being introduced from the bench, and from the rebound inside the six-yard box, Gwion Edwards fired home Wigan’s fifth goal.
Edwards made it two in seven minutes and six for Wigan as he coolly curled a shot past Rogers from a tight angle.
Oldham: Rogers, Hart, Cisse (Bowden 53), McGahey, Adams, Bahamboula (Hope 81), Hopcutt (Fage 53), Luamba (Keillor-Dunn 53), Couto, Vaughan, Turner. Subs (unused): Leutwiler, Kilner, Atkinson.
Goals: Naylor, (28), Keane, (34), Power, (36), Massey, (47), Edwards, (61, 68) for Wigan.
Attendance: 1,831 (731 visitors).