Report by SJG

CHAMPIONSHIP

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs SCUNTHORPE UNITED

10^th March 2018

SUBSTITUTES LATE STRIKE RESCUES A DRAW AS LATICS DROP VITAL POINTS.

Paul Cook made two changes to his side with David Perkins and Reece James coming in for Callum Elder and Gavin Massey.

Latics began brightly and Grigg had an early chance but fired wide from a tight angle. Jacobs then had a chance but headed narrowly over following an excellent cross from the right from Byrne. The opening goal arrived on 13 minutes when a corner by Max Power found DUNKLEY and he planted a firm header beyond Matt Gilks in the United goal. Scunthorpe struck back within four minutes when HOPPER forced Walton into a fine save, the rebound fell back to the striker who shot against the post, but when the ball was recycled a neat header finally found the net. Latics nearly regained the lead with a carbon copy of the opening goal but this time Dunkley directed his header just over the bar. Another cross from the right somehow flew right across the six-yard box with no Latics man able to get the vital touch, then a Powell shot from the edge of the area took a deflection but landed kindly into Gilks’ grateful arms. On 43 minutes the lead was restored when Jacobs picked out GRIGG and he fired a low shot into the bottom corner. Jacobs nearly made it 3-1, when he let fly from 30 yards, but Gilks produced a fine save. The importance of that save was underlined seconds later when HOPPER stole in at the back post to head home an equaliser.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 2-2 Scunthorpe United.

Powell went close right at the start of the second half but his shot found the side netting and then the visiting defence produced some desperate last ditch defending to repel a series of well delivered corner kicks. On 53 minutes Wigan were rocked when a Yates effort beat Walton and struck the crossbar. The loose ball fell to TONEY who bundled the ball home from close range.

Cook rang the changes but Wigans attacks seemed increasingly desperate and disjointed and it was Scunthorpe who looked more likely to score and only the long legs of Dan Burn saved Latics as he intercepted a Morris cross before Hopper could apply the finishing touch. ROBERTS replaced Jacobs in what was a final throw of the dice and four minutes later the veteran front man found space on the left side and slid a precise shot beyond Gilks to level the scores.

A frantic finale followed with both sides looking for a winning goal but time ran out and both sides had to settle for a point.

Manager Cook was happy to have gained a point that could prove vital in the final reckoning. He was less pleased with the defending but was keen to praise Scunthorpe for their approach to the game. The irony of Ivan Toney scoring following his disappointing loan spell at the DW stadium earlier in the season was not lost either, ‘That’s football’ he quipped.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 3-3 Scunthorpe United.

Attendance; 8,438

Scorers; Dunkley (13), Grigg (43), Roberts (87); Hopper (16), (45+2), Toney (53);

Team; WIGAN (4-2-3-1)—Walton; Byrne, Burn, Dunkley, James; Morsy, Perkins; Power, Powell, Jacobs; Grigg; Subs; Vaughan, Bruce, Roberts;

SCUNTHORPE (4-4-2)—Gilks; Bishop, Burgess, McArdle, Wallace; Holmes, Yates, Ojo, Morris; Hopper, Toney; Subs; Not used.

Referee; D. Whitestone

Blackburn and Shrewsbury both recorded home wins to consolidate their league position, while Rotherham and Plymouth failed to claim full points.

Latics remain in a strong position with games in hand on their rivals and next up is a trip across the Pennines to take on Bradford City.