Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

WIGAN ATHLETIC   vs   CAMBRIDGE UNITED

16^th September 2023

A HARD-FOUGHT WIN.

After a two-week international break, it was back to business for the Wigan Athletic team as they rolled up their sleeves and worked hard to record a crucial three points.  The starting XI included three changes, with Rekik and Godo, the recent loan signings making a start and Aasgaard, who had now fully recovered from dislocating his shoulder against Carlisle United, also being selected.

Cambridge United began brightly and Kaikai found space in behind the Wigan back four and he, from an acute angle, fired in a shot that Tickle did well to block with his legs. Ahadme followed in with a header but Tickle had regained his feet and was able to collect.

At the other end Rekik made a forward foray before sliding a pass through for Wyke to get onto, but the ball was struck with too much speed and the chance was gone.

Aasgaard and Humphrys, with a combination of quick feet, neat passing and strength, worked an opening down the left flank that allowed Humphrys to fire in a dangerous cross that the Cambridge defence did well to clear to safety. Seven minutes in and Aasgaard was involved again, as he first won the ball, before sliding a through ball that played Wyke in on goal, but with just the keeper to beat Wyke fired in a shot that slammed against the woodwork and the visitors survived. On 22 minutes Latics constructed a lovely flowing move that sliced through their opponents. The ball was worked from back to front with neat passing and Clare was able to find space out wide, the ex-Charlton man fired in a low cross that Wyke met at the near post only for Mannion in the United goal to pull off a fine double save to deny Wigan the score.

Wigan continued to dominate and with ten minutes to the break Humphrys was denied by a brilliant block by defender Barnett after good work by Godo and Clare down the right wing. At the other end Kaikai was still a lively presence and his 25-yard shot forced Tickle into a diving stop, and from the resulting play, Micheal Morrison, the United captain, looped a header just wide of the far post.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 0-0 Cambridge United.

The second half began with a snap shot from Cambridge midfielder Lankester, as a half clearance fell to him at the edge of the box, but he scuffed his shot badly and it passed well wide of the post. Then the breakthrough came soon after as HUMPHRYS picked the ball on the right-hand side of the box before cutting in and striking an unstoppable drive into the corner of the goal. The second goal was to follow in short order and on 62 minutes Humphrys produced a deep cross that caused chaos in the Cambridge defence. The ball was recycled in by Godo, as he jinked back into the box from the left and his short sharp pass to AASGAARD allowed the Wigan man enough time to get his shot away into the net off the under-side of the crossbar.

On 65 minutes Thomas fired in a shot from distance for the visitors, but it passed harmlessly over the bar. However, the visitors were pushing hard for a way back into the game and they were handed a gilt-edged chance on 76 minutes when substitute McManaman made an ill-advised challenge inside the box on Brophy.  The referee pointed to the spot and United substitute, Nigerian, Okenabirhie fired home the penalty.  Latics introduced Jonny Smith to the game for his home debut and he found space on the flanks behind the Cambridge defence, but his cross was badly struck and failed to create anything of note.  The second goal, and the raft of substitutions by both sides had served to change the flow of the game and for Latics this was not a change for the better. The Wigan defending was resolute but at times somewhat desperate as bodies were thrown in the way of shots to preserve the lead.  The Wigan faithful had to endure a full six minutes of injury time and in the end the final whistle was met as much with relief as joy.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic   2-1   Cambridge United.

Attendance; 10,078

Scorers; Humphrys (57), Aasgaard (62); Okenabirhie (76, pen);

Team; WIGAN---(4-2-3-1); Tickle; Clare, Hughes, Morrison, Rekik; M Smith, Adeeko; Humphrys, Aasgaard, Godo; Wyke; Subs; J Smith, Magennis, McManaman, Watts.

CAMBRIDGE---(4-2-3-1); Mannion, L. Bennett, Morrison, R. Bennett, Andrew; Digby, Thomas; Brophy, Lankester, Kaikai; Ahadme; Subs; Gordon, Kachunga, Okenabirhie, Simper.

Referee; A. Herczeg.

The three points lifted Latics back out of the bottom four and the surprise divisional leaders at this early stage of the season were Exeter City (managed by Gary Caldwell), and Port Vale, who had bounced back well after an opening day mauling at Oakwell. Portsmouth remained the only unbeaten side in the division, while three teams had yet to record a victory, Burton, Cheltenham and Fleetwood.