Report by SJG

NORTH WEST CHAMPIONSHIP

LANCASTER CITY vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

15^th September 2024

THE GIANT AXE PLAYS HOST TO THE FOUR-MIDABLE TIC-ETTES.

Wigan Athletic Women extend their unbeaten run to four games after defeating Lancaster City 4-1 in what has been an excellent weekend for the Football Club. 

The Lancaster City ground, the Giant Axe, has been host to some exciting games featuring various Wigan Athletic sides and on a wet, drizzly Sunday it provided a fine venue for the Tic-ettes, who played some good football on what was a beautiful playing surface.

Emmerson Boyce made two changes to the side that beat Blackburn Eagles at the Brick Community Stadium. Popular goalkeeper Faye Moseley made her first league start between the sticks in place of Amelia Knowles, and Holly Scott returned to the back four after a brief absence. 

Moseley was called into action from the off, making a comfortable save and restarting Latics play. At the other end, Carr had Latics’ first chance, a powerful shot from range that the goalkeeper managed to palm to safety.

Moments later, Izzy Worswick did well to round the Lancaster defence and get a cross into the box but it deflected narrowly wide of the target.  On 24 minutes a curling Carr corner flicked off the head of Lancaster City defender, Faye GRANT and ended in the home goal to give the travelling fans something to cheer about.    

Lancaster counter-attacked from the restart and looked to bring the game back level, but Moseley showed exactly what she could do by keeping her cool and making a diving save to deny a goal-bound effort. 

Latics then had a goal disallowed when Cleary‘s shot was waved offside, but the lively striker didn’t have to wait long to get on the scoresheet, as a beautiful piece of skill from Carr gave CLEARY the chance to get into position and slot the ball home to record her seventh goal in just four league matches.

Half Time; Lancaster City 0-2 Wigan Athletic.

Latics started the second half strong, bagging their third after just four minutes. A corner fell directly into the path of MCCOY, who turned in space and pulled a perfect overhead kick from her locker, looping the ball over the head of the goalkeeper. 

Less than five minutes later and Grace CARR got the goal that her all-action performance deserved. Following some more great skill, she fired in a pinpoint strike that sent the goalkeeper the wrong way. 

Lancaster City managed to pull a goal back as CAMPBELL took full advantage of a loose ball. Moseley did extremely well to deflect the initial shot, but the attacker was just able to bundle the ball home.

Latics did enough to see out the game, keeping possession and potential attacks at bay. Avagrace Hodson had a few chances to make it five in the dying minutes, but the goalkeeper managed to keep them at bay.

It was a great afternoon all around, as Latics Women followed in the footsteps of the Men's first-team side, scoring four fantastic goals on the road.

With four wins in four games, Latics’ confidence is growing. The number of travelling fans is increasing week-on-week, and it’s safe to say that the future is bright for this young side. 

Full Time; Lancaster City 1-4 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; Grant (24, OG) Cleary (35), McCoy (49), Carr (55); Campbell (69);

Attendance; 170 (est).

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

Referee; Mr Michael Mayor