WITH the rain clouds hanging ominously overhead the U18s kicked off their pre-season warm-up games with a visit to Wigan Athletic's home venue of Christopher Park, the club's training facility and a couple of miles away from the JJB Stadium.

The first half was only a few minutes old when first-year scholar Mark head picked up a knock and needed to be replaced, meaning a switch in formation for the Reds from 4-4-2 to 4-5-1.

Lone striker was another first-year in Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink look-alike Obi Anrouo, who tried manfully to get some joy out of tough Wigan defence.

The Latics looked likely to open their account on a few occasions in the first half, but a combination of brave goalkeeping and some poor finishing ensured that the score remained goalless at the break.

Midfielder Paul Williams had our best opening on 42 minutes, but his left footed shot from the edge of the box was picked off by the Wigan keeper.

The second period was only two minutes old when the home left winger took a cross field pass and drifted passed one challenge before hitting an unstoppable shot that flew into the top corner of Maxwell's net.

It was a fantastic finish which gave the diving keeper no chance, but the Wrexham coaching staff will not have been too happy about its build up.

A clinching goal arrived on 73 minutes and once again it was the Wigan left winger, this time a substitute, who did the damage. As he got in between several red shirts to head home at the back post, connecting with a cross from the opposite side of the park.

Coach Steve Cooper was disappointed with the outcome, but could at least point to the short bench available to him as against the home side as a deciding factor.

"We grew tied as the game went on and while Wigan were able to make some seven substitutions, due to injury we down to just three, and one those needed to be done early on because of another injury," he said.

"Not that we were over run, but you could see from their second goal that we were getting tired.

"It is though good experience for the lads and has given us something to think about."

Wrexham: Chris Maxwell, Jamie Price, John Hunt (Daniel Hughes 85), Lee Jones, Chris Marriott, Tom Matischok (Robert Pearson 58), Paul Williams, Jack Jones, Obi Anrouo, Mark Head (Mathew Hurdman 12).
Sub: Vinnie Whelan.

Mark Stewart on the ball

Paul Williams covers back