AFC Fylde 0, Wigan Athletic 3: Serious injury causes Coasters friendly against Latics to be suspended
AFC Fylde’s pre-season friendly clash at home to Wigan Athletic was overshadowed by a serious injury to visitors’ trialist Nico Lawrence.
The game was brought to an early conclusion in the closing stages after Lawrence suffered what appeared to be a significant leg injury.
The Latics were leading 3-0 at the time courtesy of two penalties from Chris Sze in the first half, and a second-half striker from Fraser Murray.
Wigan took the lead in the ninth minute after Dara Costelloe was brought down, Sze calmly slotted home.
Fylde began to apply some pressure as the half progressed, but the hosts were then awarded another penalty in the 32nd minute when Morgan Fox brought down Cedric Main. However, Walsh produced an excellent save to deny Dylan Allen-Hadley from the spot.
However, bizarrely, the Latics were handed a third spot-kick after Akeel Higgins was fouled, this time Sze stepped up, producing a confident Panenka to make it 2-0.
The Latics continued to look dangerous after the restart and extended their advantage in the 54th minute. Fraser Murray produced an excellent finish which clipped the crossbar before nestling in the far corner to make it 3-0.
Fylde tried to respond, but Danny Ormerod fired wide..
The game was eventually brought to an early end in the 80th minute following Lawrence’s serious injury.
The 22-year-old centre-back, who is currently on trial with Wigan, was stretchered off before the referee brought the contest to a premature conclusion after conversations with Fylde boss Craig Mahon, pictured, and Latics chief Gary Caldwell.
Fylde: Zac Jones, Will Lancaster, Max Taylor, Corey Whelan, Adam Lewis, Chris Merrie, Ethan Mitchell, Danny Mayor, Jack Morris, Cedric Main, Dylan Allen-Hadley. Subs: Pat Boyes, Harrison Dougall, Aaron Drewe, Trialist B, Ben Jackson, Danny Ormerod, Cullen Meadowcroft, Max Fisher, Trialist A, Ayden Wainwright.
Wigan: Joe Walsh, Jon Mellish, Morgan Fox, James Carragher, Connor Barrett, Jensen Weir, Max Power, Fraser Murray, Chris Sze, Akeel Higgins, Dara Costelloe. Subs: Tom Watson, Kai Payne, Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen, Trialist, Sam Bolland, K’Marni Miller, Baba Adeeko, Hindolo Mustapha, Harrison Rimmer, Tobias Brenan.