Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

WIGAN ATHLETIC   vs   NORTHAMPTON TOWN

12^th August 2023

THE RETURN OF THE MAC.

Games against newly promoted sides are always a challenge; the promoted side are on a high after their winning end to the previous season and they invariably have great team spirit that helps them out perform expectations.

Northampton began strongly and after two minutes they should have taken the lead, Hondermarck found space on the left-hand side of the box and drove in a shot that struck the upright, the rebound fell to Patrick Brough, but his shot was blocked and cleared by Hughes. The scare of such a close call seemed to bring the Latics side to life and with seven minutes on the clock Lang found space and sent in a dangerous cross that Wyke just failed to reach. A few moments later neat work by Humphrys found Wyke in the penalty box and the big striker appeared to be fouled, but the referee was not impressed and the play was waved on.

On 24 minutes, and against the run of play the visitors took the lead. Pinnock earned a soft free kick when he fell under the challenge of Matt Smith, and up stepped HOSKINS to curl a precise shot into the Latics net. Wigan tried hard to find a quick response and Humphrys sent in a cross that was flicked goalwards by Scott Smith, but the effort went just wide. On the half-hour mark Humphrys tried his luck on his own when he cut inside and fired goalwards but the keeper was able to watch the effort pass by his post. Matt Smith was controlling the midfield exchanges and was exhibiting a fine range of passes but the Northampton defence was proving resilient. Smith took a shooting opportunity that nearly found the net but once again the shot was narrowly off target.

Northampton whilst largely employed in defending their lead did carry a threat on the counter and Simpsons pace was stretching the Wigan defence. One such break saw Simpson holding the ball up before finding Hoskins and only a brave block by Clare stopped the Northampton man from getting a meaningful effort in on goal.  Then just before the break Hondermarck tried his luck from long range and had Tickle scrambling across his goal as the effort passed just wide.

The first half had seen Wigan dominate possession, but as in the game at Wrexham they had moved the ball too slowly and lacked penetration. A big response was needed in the second half.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 0-1 Northampton Town.

The second period began with Latics on the front foot. Scott Smith got his head to a cross and sent his header just wide, then Aasgaard latched onto a ball just outside the area and sent in a curling effort that passed narrowly over.

On the hour mark Latics nearly levelled. Clare set off on a driving run and fed in Humphrys who stepped inside before unleashing a powerful drive that the keeper was at full stretch to push clear, but the ball was quickly recycled and substitute McManaman crossed to find the head of Lang but the header, from close range, drifted wide.

The intensity of the game had gone up several notches and McManaman was causing problems for the full back who was booked for a late challenge. The counter attacking threat that the visitors had all but vanished but Clare had to be alert to intercept an attempted Pinnock cut-back.

Humphrys had a 35-yard free kick easily saved by Thompson in the Northampton goal, but the keeper could do nothing to stop a powerful close-range HUGHES header from a deep Pearce corner and with eighteen minutes to go it was very much; ‘Game on’.

Northampton stirred into life and tried to re-establish their lead and Pinnock came close when he athletically got away a shot that was hit into the ground but the bounce saw the ball pass just over the bar. Brough then got forward and struck a cross, cum shot narrowly wide.

The second half substitute MCMANAMAN was still full of running and he swapped wings to change the nature of the attacking threat and on 79 minutes the change worked to perfection as he cut inside from wide on the left and curled an absolute beauty into the far corner with his right foot.

The celebrations were nearly as special as the strike as the winger was mobbed by his team mates.

Northampton threw men forward in search of a leveller and Tickle was at full stretch when diving to save one effort.

Wyke then saw a header from a well delivered Pearce free-kick strike the post, when in truth it was easier to score, but it was academic as Wigan safely saw out the remaining minutes to claim back-to-back wins and took another big bite out of their points deficit.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 2-1 Northampton Town;

Attendance; 10,095.

Scorers; Hughes (72), McManaman (79); Hoskins (24);

Team; WIGAN --- (3-4-3); Tickle; Clare, Morrison, Hughes, Pearce; M Smith, S Smith; Aasgaard, Lang, Humphrys; Wyke; Subs; McManaman, Sze, Adeeko, Watts;

NORTHAMPTON ---(4-3-3); Thompson; Odimayo, Sherring, Guthrie, Brough; Hondermarck, Sowerby, Leonard; Hoskins, Simpson, Pinnock; Subs; Bowie, McGowan, Monthe, Appere;

Referee; R. Joyce

The early season League table shows local rivals Bolton wanderers leading the way after two wins. Four other sides have managed to win their first two games, but Latics, who would have been one of those pace setters are still propping up the table because of the eight- point deduction imposed on the club.