Report by SJG

NORTH WEST CHAMPIONSHIP

HASLINGDON XI vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

1^st September 2024

A SOLID START AS THE TIC-ETTES MAKE HISTORY

The start of a new chapter in Latics football history began fairly quietly with both teams trying to gain a foothold in the game and overcoming early nerves. The pitch was hard and bobbly and it took a while for to adjust as a number of passes and promising through balls were over-hit on the quick surface. Understandably the home side adapted the quicker but Wigan held a good defensive shape and denied any clear opportunities for the Haslingden side. Wigan looked to take advantage of wide areas with Worswick producing a number of promising raids down the left flank, and in the centre Molly Hassall and Grace Carr were busy as they tried to get the attack going.  A forward burst by Heslip forced a corner but the cross was too deep and was ushered to safety by a solid looking home defence. Wigan made good use of the rolling substitutes and it was one of those that finally found the net. CLEARY, who had only signed the day before after turning out for Chorley last season produced a fine individual run and shot that the keeper could only watch as it nestled in the bottom corner.  Wigan, clearly buoyed by the goal, nearly grabbed a second when a shot by Carr flew narrowly wide of the far post.

Half Time; Haslingden 0-1 Wigan Athletic.

The Tics started the second half with a high tempo and the home side struggled to get to grips with some good movement by the visitors. Carr and Dada were running the midfield and a burst by Carr saw her drift by her marker before whipping in a dangerous cross that CLEARY was on hand to volley home from close range. The home keeper had to be at her best to deny any further goals as she saved well from Carr, after a strong dribble had seen the Wigan player force an opening.  At the other end the well marshalled back line was coping with the more direct approach that the home side were adopting with the centre back pairing of Moore and McCoy looking assured. Substitute keeper Moseley took over from Knowles for the last quarter of the game and was called upon to make one smart stop as the home side tried to muster a response, but chances were limited and Wigan still looked the more likely to add to their tally with Cleary trying a number of speculative efforts to try and record her hat-trick, before she was replaced in the closing stages.

Full Time; Haslingden XI 0-2 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; Cleary (32), (49);

Attendance; 120 (est).

Teams; WIGAN— (4-2-3-1) Knowles; Merican, McCoy, Moore, Scott; Carr, Dada; Worswick, Hassall, Heslip; Schickhoff; Subs; --- Moseley, Black, Baker, Hodson, Cleary;

Referee; Mr. Andrew Warwick.

Manager Boyce was proud of his charges and as an ex-defender he was really pleased to record a clean sheet. He praised the squads’ attitude and whilst recognising that it was early days and that there was much to still work on he declared himself content. The team now need to put the result behind them and focus on the next game which follows in just two days, with a trip to Euxton.

Euxton had started their campaign off with a 4-2 success against Lostock St. Gerards and will no doubt prove a stern test for the Wigan Tic-ettes.