✅ Young Latics secure their second win of the season! // U21s Round-Up // Central Wigan

Stephen Crainey's U21 side defeated Birmingham City at Wast Hills training ground, securing their first back-to-back win of the season, with two U18s providing assists on their debut!

Wigan Athletic U21s had experienced a rocky start to their 2023/24 PL Professional Development League campaign coming into the Birmingham game, with their latest 3-0 victory over Colchester United U21s marking their first three points of the season, after a draw against Charlton Athletic U21s, and losses to QPR U21s, and Bristol City U21s.

Stephen Crainey led his side to 3rd place in the league last season, narrowly missing out on the top 2 places on goals scored. Latics and Hull City both accumulated 42 points, with a +12 goal difference, yet it was the Tigers who progressed with Sheffield United to the PDL Play Offs instead. Latics will be hoping to secure a top 2 place this time around.

Youssef Chentouf, who signed his first professional contract with Latics in June 2022, is currently leading the way in terms of goals and assists for the U21s, after scoring in each of the QPR, Charlton, and Bristol City games, and providing an assist for Josh Stones against QPR also.

Latics currently have a trialist in their squad, who I believe is 20 year old forward, Max McMillan. He is currently without an official club contract, after being released by Fleetwood U21s during the 2023 summer, who he joined after Leeds U18s in April 2021. With a goal against Colchester United, in which Latics’ summer recruit Jonny Smith assisted, McMillan was named against Birmingham for their second start of the season.

Matthew Corran was yet again named in the lineup, for his 2nd start of the season after Tom Watson missed his second consecutive game - maybe through an injury, although nothing has been mentioned by the club as of yet.

Jack Reilly, Harry McHugh, and Ethan Mitchell, were all named at the back for their fifth start of the season, and they were joined by Ewan Hampson who was making his U21s debut. Hampson had been named in the squad for the first time against Colchester, however, he was an unused substitution.

Kai Payne and Abdi Sharif were both named again for their fourth consecutive starts, with Joe Adams in for his fifth, and the Trialist (McMillan) in for his second start - fourth appearance overall.

Top scorer, Youssef Chentouf started his fifth game, with Josh Stones starting his fourth after being suspended for a game due to a sending off in the opener against QPR.

On the bench, Crainey named Matthew Wonnacott, who is yet to feature for the U21s this season, Harrison Rimmer and Reece Greenhalgh, who were both called up from the U18s for the first time, and Elijah Igiehon who makes his fourth teamsheet listing of the season after his injury time goal against Colchester in his second appearance of the season.

Wigan experienced an early setback after 5 minutes, with Romelle Donovan finishing from close range and handing Corran his first conceded goal of the season.

Promising right back, Jack Reilly - who signed his first professional contract with the Latics in July 2023 - picked up an injury in the 19th minute and was replaced by Harrison Rimmer, who was making his U21s debut. Rimmer joined Latics at the age of 11, and is noted as a “tough-tackling midfielder who can also operate as a right-back”.

After 17 minutes on the field, Rimmer slotted the ball to McMillan who finished the move off into the bottom corner to equalise the game back up. His second goal in his fourth appearance of the season whilst on trial. I can imagine the club will offer a contract soon enough.

Three minutes later, Abdi Sharif added a second goal for Wigan with Joe Adams providing the assist. Sharif is yet to be called up to Shaun Maloney’s senior side this season, but has been given the number 32 shirt should he make the step up as his fellow Academy graduates; Baba Adeeko, Charlie Hughes, Scott Smith, Sam Tickle, and Thelo Aasgaard all have.

Adams’ assist was his second of the season, and with the upcoming senior Football League Trophy game against Leicester City U21s coming, he is making a strong case for a call up.

Birmingham City made their first changes of the afternoon, with Rico Patterson coming on for Morgan Dance, followed by Zach Willis coming on for Laith Fairnie. City were given their first red card of the afternoon, as Menzi Mazwi was sent off pulling back Chentouf, prompting them into further changes as Femi Olofinjana and Ben Beresford came on for Callum Sullivan and Sahid Kamara.

Crainey handed another U21s debut to another U18s player as Reece Greenhalgh came on for Joe Adams in the 83rd minute. Greenhalgh joined the Latics two seasons ago after playing as a striker at grassroots levels. He is noted to be a “lively striker who works incredibly hard for the team and can cause a lot of problems for any defence he plays against”.

It took just one minute for Greenhalgh to make an impact, as he chased down the ball, chipped the keeper and headed the ball into the path of Josh Stones who finished well for his second goal of the season.

Wigan Athletic U21s - 23/24 Season Stats so far

🏟️ 5 Games

✅ 2 Wins

🤝 1 Draw

❌ 2 Losses

⚽️ 11 Goals Scored - (3) Youssef Chentouf - (2) Josh Stones, Trialist - (1) Harry McHugh, Abdi Sharif, Chris Sze, Elijah Igiehon

💢 8 Goals Conceded

Next up for Latics U21s in the PL Professional Development League is a 1pm kickoff against Burnley U21s at the DW Stadium on Monday 25th September.

Up the Tics.

Thank you for reading!

Charlie Keegan / Central Wigan

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