In a 120-minute encounter, played over four 30-minute periods, the Jambos continued to get match action under their belt in a competitive run out against the League One Latics - with goals coming from Charlie Hughes, Scott Smith and former Jambo Stephen Humphrys.
The men in maroon came out the blocks with good intensity; Alex Cochrane smashing one over the bar with just three minutes on the clock. Alan Forrest followed up on 12 minutes, cutting inside before forcing a stop from Sam Tickle in the Wigan goal.
Wigan took the lead after 20 minutes, Matt Smith winning a foul on the edge of the box. Tom Pearce's in-swinging free kick found Hughes. Taking a touch to get the ball under control, he poked the ball past Harry Stone to open the scoring.
The Latics doubled their lead on 28 minutes - as Scott Smith brought the ball down high up the field. Threading the ball across to Charlie Wyke, who dummied for Humphrys, our former loanee cut inside and sent the ball into the far corner.
The third arrived on 52 minutes, with Callum McManaman playing a key role. Driving inside down the left – he steered the ball onto the head of Scott Smith who leapt high to nod home the final goal of the encounter.
Hearts kept at it, with Ben Amos producing a big save to deny Liam Boyce. With the game drawing to a close, young Makenzie Kirk tested with an effort at Amos which rippled the hosts’ side netting.
Hearts First 60 XI: Stone, Atkinson (Rathie 60’), Sibbick, Rowles (Neilson 60’), Cochrane, Wilson (Dall 60’), Baningime (Denholm 60’), Forrest (Smith 60’), Devlin (Haring 60’), Grant (Boyce 60’), Shankland
Hearts Second 60 XI: Stone (McFarlane 90’), Rathie, Sibbick (Flatman 90’), Neilson, Cochrane (Sandilands 90’), Haring, Denholm, Dall, Boyce, Smith, Shankland (Kirk 90’)
Image courtesy of Wigan Athletic FC
