Report by SJG

NORTH WEST CHAMPIONSHIP

BLACKBURN EAGLES vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

1^st December 2024

EAGLES WINGS ARE CLIPPED AS TIC-ETTES MARCH ON

It was a case of ‘seventh heaven’ as the team made light of being without their captain and talisman Abbie Moore as they brushed aside the challenge of Blackburn Eagles.

The captain’s armband was handed to Grace Carr who has impressed with her solid performances in the centre of the park and new signing Alyson Hastie came in to the starting XI for her full debut.

Latics started brightly and the thirteenth minute proved unlucky for the hosts as a perfectly weighted through ball by Cleary allowed Molly HASSALL the time and space to slip her shot past the keeper at her near post. The pair linked up again on 24 minutes and it was HASSALL who again applied the composed finish.

The hosts grabbed a goal back as Latics were punished for a moment of hesitancy in defence and Aimee MANIFOLD was quick to pounce to halve the deficit. Tegen BAKER opened her goalscoring account for Wigan on 39 minutes with a fine strike after Cleary had again provided the assist.

The Tic-ettes had re-established control and went into the break with a crucial lead on the scoreboard.

Half Time; Blackburn Eagles 1-3 Wigan Athletic.

On 69 minutes new signing HASTIE announced her arrival with a powerful headed goal following a corner that was perfectly delivered by captain Carr.  The superior fitness of the Wigan side was now telling and they added a fifth from the penalty spot with HASSALL taking the spot kick and completing her hat-trick.

On 83 minutes WORSWICK added her name to the scorers when she collected a fine pass by Carr and fired home at the near post. At 6-1 the game was over as a contest but Wigan were not quite finished and captain for the day CARR rounded off a good team and personal performance when she fired home into the corner of the net after some fast footwork in the box.

Full Time; Blackburn Eagles 1-7 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; Hassall (13), (24), (78, pen), Baker (39), Hastie (69), Worswick (83), Carr (89); Manifold (25);

Attendance; 150 est.

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

Referee; Mr. Philip Mulrooney