Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

CHELTENHAM TOWN vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

11^th November 2023

A SPOT OF BOTHER FOR THE LATICS.

Just as in their previous game Wigan began on the front foot and within six minutes they had the lead. Humphrys went on a strong forward run that took him past two defenders, then he fed Jones on the wing. The ex-Sunderland man whipped in a fast low cross and FREESTONE diverted the ball past his own keeper as he tried to clear.

It was nearly two six minutes later when Godo struck the outside of a post after being played through by Callum Lang.

At the other end the former Premier League defender Curtis Davies tried a volley from the edge of the area when a weak clearance fell nicely for him, but the effort was wide of the mark. A long throw then caused problems in the Wigan area and Thompson fired just over the crossbar.  An early injury to Steven Sessignon saw a change in personnel and team shape, with Scott Smith entering the fray.

Up until this point the hosts had not really threatened from open play, but they did look threatening at set pieces and a free kick from the left was met by Goodwin whose header deflected just wide of the goal. However, the hosts were gifted a route back into the game when the referee awarded a somewhat harsh penalty against Adeeko for a challenge on Goodwin in the box.  SERCOMBE stepped up and sent Tickle the wrong way.

The game had developed into a real battle and Wigan were struggling to create much by way of chances. Godo had a shot blocked, and for the Robins Williams looped a header onto the roof of the Latics net. Then deep into injury time a long throw caused confusion in the Wigan box and Tickle had to save well from point blank range to deny Street.

Half Time; Cheltenham Town 1-1 Wigan Athletic.

The hosts began the second half on the front foot with Thompson dragging a shot wide before Goodwin saw his effort thump against the woodwork after he found space at the back post following a free kick.

Latics were in a real dogfight and the tall muscular Goodwin was a constant threat, he had two decent efforts comfortably saved by the excellent Tickle as the home crowd spurred on their team, who looked a lot more capable than their league position suggested.

On the hour mark Wigan finally regained a degree of control and Godo forced a smart save from Southwood at his near post. Then on 63 minutes a pass inside found Godo whose quick feet deceived the defender and he was brought down for a penalty. Humphrys took the kick, but his effort was poor and Southwood saved as he dove to his left.

The Robins regained the ascendancy as both managers shuffled their team, with a number of changes being made. Davies had a 25-yard dipping volley that Tickle saved, then substitute Keena fired over the bar when well placed.

Morrison produced an excellent piece of defending to deny Will Ferry, then deep in added time Keena fired narrowly wide from distance.

Both teams pushed hard to try and grab a winner but both defences stood firm and the points were shared. 

Full Time; Cheltenham Town 1-1 Wigan Athletic.

Attendance; 4,235

Scorers; Freestone (6 OG); Sercombe (32 pen);

Team; WIGAN---(3-4-2-1); Tickle; Hughes, Morrison, Rekik; Sessignon, Shaw, Adeeko, Jones; Humphrys, Godo; Lang; Subs; McManaman, Stones, Watts, S Smith;

CHELTENHAM---(3-5-2); Southwood; Freestone, Davies, Bevan; Williams, Sercombe, Thompson, Pett, Long; Street, Goodwin; Subs; Ferry, Keena;

Referee. Mr. Carl Brook (Sussex).