Report by SJG

EFL TROPHY- GROUP GAME

TRANMERE ROVERS vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

14^th November 2023

LATICS TOP GROUP AS THEY WIN ON PENALTIES.

With several players on international duty this was a chance for some squad members to remind the manager of what he was missing and to stake a claim for a starting berth in the first team squad.

Wigan had already qualified but would want to top the group so that a home tie in the next round could be guaranteed. Tranmere, managed by ex- Tic shot-stopper Nigel Adkins, for their part knew that they would not qualify and were playing just for pride.

One minute in and Rhys Hughes found space on the left and whipped in a dangerous cross that flew wide of Amos’ far post. Then at the other end McHugh hit a shot from the edge of the box that flew just over. A few moments later and youngster Chris Sze fed a neat ball through for ex-Tranmere man McManaman to run onto and he fizzed a ball across the box but Jonny Smith, coming in at the back post was just unable to get the killer touch.

A corner, after seven minutes play was met by the head or Rekik, but the big centre half failed to hit the target. On 20 minutes a Tom Pearce free kick picked out Charlie Wyke who should have done better, but his header went wide of the post. At the other end a 25-yard effort from Sam Taylor was too high to trouble Amos in the Wigan goal.

Half Time; Tranmere Rovers 0-0 Wigan Athletic.

Wigan should have taken the lead after 48 minutes when a pin point cross found Wyke but his downward header bounced up and over the bar with the keeper a virtual spectator. Jonny Smith then wasted a good chance after good passing from Rekik and Sze had played him in on goal, the wing man took too long in getting his shot away and the defence was able to block the effort. McManaman went close with a curling effort after he made a surging run down the left wing before chopping back onto his right foot and letting fly, only for Murphy to make an excellent diving stop to palm the ball wide of the post.

A typical Tom Pearce free kick then found the head of Wyke, but the big striker was having a distinctly off-night in front of goal and his header flew wide.

Maloney introduced young midfielder Kai Payne for his debut but it was Tranmere who threatened next when Saunders brought a good save from Amos before striking the rebound into the side netting from a tight angle.

Sze grazed a post with a good effort, before Saunders was presented with the best chance of the game but he somehow fluffed his shot from barely a yard out. On 78 minutes Pearce fizzed a free kick just wide of the home goal, then as the clock ran down McHugh let fly from fully 30 yards but his effort was wide.

The game went straight to penalties, with Wigan winning 6-5.

Full Time; Tranmere Rovers 0-0 Wigan Athletic.

Attendance; 3,427

Team; WIGAN---(4-2-3-1); Amos; McHugh, Rekik, Watts, Pearce; S. Smith, Balagizi; J. Smith, Sze, McManaman; Wyke; Subs; Payne, Stones, Carragher, Humphrys;

TRANMERE---(4-2-3-1); Murphy; Pike, Yarney, Belehouan, Leake; Norris, Mcalear; Hughes, Saunders, Taylor; Jolley; Subs; Morris, Davies;

Referee. Ross Joyce (Cleveland)