Report by SJG

NORTH WEST CHAMPIONSHIP

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs CHIPPING LADIES

6^th October 2024

AVAGRACE HODSON TREBLE IS JUST THE TICKET

A second half hat-trick by the young 16-year-old Tic-ette striker Avagrace Hodson made sure that Latics maintained their winning start to the season against Chipping Ladies.

In the week leading up to the game Wigan added ex St Helens Town defender Chelsie Bloom to their ranks to increase competition for places, and strengthen the squad in terms of physicality, experience and numbers. The new signing was added to a starting XI.

The Tics had a flying start, seeing a beautiful Abbie Moore cross headed home by opposition defender EDMUNDSON as Hodson and Cleary applied pressure, within the opening minutes to make it 1-0.  

Goalkeeper Amelia Knowles was called into action early on, making a phenomenal save to knock the ball wide and keep the Chipping attack at bay. Latics soon regained composure, slowing down play in the middle and knocking the ball out wide.

The front three link-up between Baker, Cleary and Izzy Worswick was causing problems for the visitor’s defence and continuously asked questions throughout the first 45. Latics utilised the right-hand flank, with Worswick beating her marker to feed the ball through to Cleary, but Chipping had come prepared for the Cleary onslaught, deploying their defence to restrict the number of chances that would fall to the teams leading scorer.

Latics’ final chance of the half came from a Grace Carr free kick, with a dipping ball that struck the crossbar and left Chipping reeling.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 1-0 Chipping Ladies.

The Tic-ettes started the second half perfectly. From kick-off, Latics drove forward and when a loose ball ping-ponged between players it was almost inevitable that it fell to CLEARY who pulled the trigger, taking her personal goal tally to 15.  The girls got their third not long after, thanks to a beautifully worked piece of play. After receiving a long-range cross from defence, Cleary weaved her way into the box and threaded the ball through to Hodson, giving her space to slide it home. 

Almost instantly, Hodson got her second after taking advantage of a goalkeeping error, pouncing on the deflection and striking it into the back of the net.

In the 85th minute, the Tics number nine completed her hat-trick. Worswick’s pinpoint cross bounced perfectly into Hodson’s stride, who beat her marker to get a shot off. The net rippled as Hodson wheeled away in celebration, quickly engulfed in celebration by her teammates. 

Laura Heslip bagged her first for the Club in the dying embers. A stunning one-two between Heslip and Molly Hassall unlocked the defence, setting up another attack. Heslip received the ball on the turn and poked it in at the near post, bagging herself a well-deserved goal. Heslip has been an unsung hero for the team thus far, making important runs on and off the ball to up the tempo of the game.  

As the final whistle blew, the side headed straight over to the fans, applauding them and thanking them for their support throughout the season so far. 

With seven wins in seven games, Latics’ confidence is growing. The team looks sharp, driven, and passionate about the game. Throughout, they’re willing one another to make daring runs and go the extra mile. There will be sterner tests as the season progresses but so far its top-marks for out Tic-Ettes.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 6-0 Chipping Ladies.

Scorers; Edmundson (2, OG), Cleary (46), Hodson (51), (60), (85), Heslip (87);

Attendance; 500 est.

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

Referee; Mr. David Long.