Report by SJG

EFL TROPHY- GROUP GAME

WIGAN ATHLETIC   vs FLEETWOOD TOWN

10^th October 2023

LATICS FIGHT BACK TO BEAT COD ARMY ON PENALTIES.

After their dominant win in the opening match up of this competition Latics were looking to build on that result and put their recent troubles behind them against a Fleetwood side that, like Wigan, was struggling in League One. 

International call-ups for Magennis, Aasgaard, and Adeeko meant that changes to the starting XI were inevitable and with Godo cup-tied (he had played for Fulham U21 in this competition) there were chances for a number of the squad players to stake a claim to a first team spot.

The lively Humphrys flashed an early effort across the face of the Fleetwood goal, but no-one was on hand to apply a killer touch. Robertson, for Fleetwood, was also looking lively and on thirteen minutes he was unlucky when he rattled the Latics crossbar with a rasping shot from 20 yards, Tshimanga was first to the rebound and his effort struck the post before going behind for a goal-kick. Robertson was close again when he checked inside and hit a curling shot, but Amos in the Latics net saved well. Latics went close when a Jordan Jones cross picked out Humphrys at the far post, but the Wigan number 11 mis-timed his effort and the chance was lost.

Amos tipped a header from Stockley over, after a good cross from Earl had found him in space. Then Hughes had to be brave and alert to block two dangerous efforts from Robertson and Tshimanga.

Fleetwood finally struck on 43 minutes, a header by Teale, following a corner, was well saved by Amos, but TSHIMANGA was first to the loose ball and headed home from about a yard out. Worse was to follow for the Tics, as in injury time TSHIMANGA again pounced on a loose ball to slot home after Amos had spilled Robertsons long range effort.

There was still time for Jones to find Wyke with a good cross, but the header was directed over the bar.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic. 0-2 Fleetwood Town.

Maloney made three changes at the break, Tickle came on for Amos who had injured a hand in trying to prevent the second goal, Pearce came on for Watts, and young Josh Stones came on for Wyke.

Stones had an instant impact, and he harried the Fleetwood defence who coughed up possession deep in their half and Lang forced the Cod Army keeper to make a good save. Fleetwood then had a chance to make the game safe bur Graydon fired over when well placed. On 55 minutes Latics got back into the game when HUMPHRYS produced a mazy dribble before firing low and hard past an unsighted keeper. Game-on.

Jones checked inside and unleashed a shot that went just wide, then Humphrys collected the ball in midfield and burst forward, he slipped a well-timed pass through to young STONES and he fired across the keeper and into the net.

Fleetwood nearly took the lead back a minute later but Stockley saw his low drive thud against the Wigan post and the ball was scrambled away.

Every Wigan attack suddenly looked likely to produce a goal and Stones nearly grabbed a second but his shot was blocked by an over-worked Fleetwood defence before McManaman headed the rebound just wide. Another piece of clever wing-play saw Wigan earn a free-kick in a shooting position and PEARCE whipped a great shot through a ruck of bodies and past the keeper at his near post.

There was still time for more drama, and deep in injury time a Fleetwood corner was toe poked home by a late-arriving EARL to take the game to a penalty shoot-out that Wigan won 4-3.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 3-3 Fleetwood Town.

Attendance; 1,600

Scorers; Humphrys (55), Stones (65), Pearce (87); Tshimanga (43), (45+3); Earl (90+3);

Team; WIGAN---(4-2-3-1); Amos; Sessignon, Watts, Hughes, Clare; S. Smith, Balagizi; Humphrys, Jones, Lang; Wyke; Subs; Pearce, Stones, Tickle, Sze, McManaman;

FLEETWOOD---(4-4-2); Lynch; Rooney, Holgate, Teale, Earl; Graydon, Simons, Robertson, Mayor; Tshimanga, Stockley; Subs; Broom, Donaghy, Marriott, Omochere;

Referee, S. Tallis.

The results so far in the group games have combined to virtually guarantee Wigan a place in the knockout stages. However, the divisional winners will benefit from a home game in the next phase, thus some sort of result at Tranmere is still desirable.

The performance did raise the spirits of the squad and the supporters and the mood was a little lighter in preparation for a tricky away day at Exeter City, a team managed by an ex-Latic player and manager, Gary Caldwell.