Report by SJG

FRIENDLY

TRANMERE ROVERS vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

28^th July 2023

LATE ADAMS STRIKE SAVES LATICS BLUSHES.

 With Latics having another friendly on the following day Maloney decided to shuffle the pack.

The manager made five changes to the side that had performed with such promise against Everton with Ben Amos, Ethan Mitchell, Scott Smith, Kel Watts and Liam Shaw all coming into the starting line-up.

The League two side had the first chance of the game when Saunders found space inside the Latics penalty area but his rushed shot flew wide of the target. Wigan were passing the ball well but the build up play was slow and despite dominating the possession the well drilled Rovers defence was limiting the scoring opportunities. On ten minutes Humphrys got his head to a McManaman cross but the effort drifted over the bar, then five minutes later James McClean whipped in a cross that found the head of Lang but the effort looped harmlessly over.   The home side was being forced to survive on scraps of possession but Saunders produced a well-timed run to find himself one-on-one with Amos but the Wigan keeper won the battle and was able to save well with his legs. Wigans best chance of the first period fell to Wyke, a poor goal kick was collected by Humphrys and he found Wyke but his attempt to lob the keeper was too high. Humphrys was involved again on 39 minutes when he checked inside and fired in a vicious shot that flew right across the face of the goal.

Half Time; Tranmere Rovers 0-0 Wigan Athletic

Adams and Robinson came on for Shaw and Watts at the break, but it was the hosts who grabbed the opening goal. Mitchell mis-timed a tackle and dangerman SAUNDERS nipped in, held off two defenders and fired his shot high into the net past the helpless Amos. Mitchell nearly made up for his error a few minutes later when he headed on a long throw from Humphrys to allow Lang a shooting opportunity but the Wigan mans volley was well saved. Smith then went close with a strong shot from the edge of the penalty area that was just too high.

Tranmere threatened again when Saunders crossed for Lewis and it took a good stop by substitute keeper Watson to ensure that the deficit was not doubled.

The importance of that save was emphasised as Latics were able to grab the leveller. Pressure had been building on the Tranmere defence and McManaman saw a header saved by McGee in the home goal, but the keeper had no chance a few minutes later when a Humphrys cross picked out youngster ADAMS and he headed home his first ever professional goal.

Adams was showing some good touches and his quick feet won a free kick in a dangerous position but Lang’s curling shot went narrowly over.  Then in the dying minutes a Humphrys low cross took a wicked deflection and nearly squirmed past the diving keeper.

Full Time; Tranmere Rovers 1-1 Wigan Athletic

Scorers; Saunders (51); Adams (71);

Attendance; 1,616

WIGAN (4-2-3-1) -- Amos; McHugh, Watts, Mitchell, McClean; S. Smith, Shaw; Humphrys, Lang, McManaman; Wyke; Subs; Watson, Corran, Lloyd, Adams, Chentouf, Robinson, Reilly, Payne, Dwyer;

TRANMERE (4-4-2) – McGee; O’ Connor, Leake, Davies, Morris; Hendry, Hawkes; Jennings, Saunders, Yarney; Lewis; Subs; Walker, Turnbull, Norris, Jolley, Murphy, Dennis, Hockenhall, Taylor, McLear;

Referee; Mr Ben Speedie (Merseyside).