Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs LINCOLN CITY

9^th December 2023

LATICS AND IMPS BOTH TREAD WATER AS WIND WINS THE DAY.

On a wet and very windy day Latics extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to nine games but were held to a goalless draw by Lincoln City. Maloney made three changes to the starting XI with Rekik, Pearce and Godo all missing out due to injury.

The visitors had an early chance on three minutes when Mandroiu played a neat pass inside the full back to release Sorensen, but Jones recovered well and was able to block the shot. Hamilton then tried his luck from distance but Tickle saved with ease.

The wind was playing havoc, with both sides struggling to pick accurate passes, and the play was becoming increasingly scrappy and bogged down in midfield.

From a corner Jonny Smith almost scored but the wicked in-swinger was just palmed away by Jensen in the Lincoln goal.

Wigan did manage to break the shackles with a neat piece of counter-attacking play, Adeeko and Humphrys linked before finding Lang, who threaded a neat pass to Jonny Smith but his shot was too high and passed safely over the bar.

Both defences remained firmly in control and neither keeper was seriously threatened so the teams went in at the break, all square.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 0-0 Lincoln City.

The Imps had the first opportunity of the second period when Burroughs fired over from 25-yards after a ball had been pulled back to him from the right wing.

Lincoln did look the more threatening side, especially from set plays, and from a deep free kick Jackson forced Tickle to palm the ball over his bar at full stretch. The resulting corner was not well dealt with and a scramble in the area ensued before Wigan finally cleared the danger. McManaman was introduced from the bench and he had an immediate impact as the Latics attack suddenly looked more potent. A one-two with Clare created some space and when the ball arrived at Humphrys he unleashed a shot that deflected just over the bar.

Sessegnon fouled Vale on the edge of the Wigan box, but the free-kick, which was in a dangerous position was blocked by the Latics wall and cleared to safety.

Wyke joined the fray on 80 minutes along with Sze, and the academy man thought he had grabbed a winner on his birthday with his first league goal, Jensen spilled a Jordan Jones cross and Sze pounced to drive home. However, the referee harshly adjudged that Clare had fouled the big keeper in the build-up and the goal was ruled out. That was to be the last meaningful action of a scrappy game and the points were shared.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 0-0 Lincoln City.

Attendance; 8,838

Team; WIGAN---(3-4-3); Tickle; Hughes, Morrison, Watts; S. Smith, Adeeko, Clare, Jones; Lang, Humphrys, J. Smith; Subs; McManaman, Sessegnon, Sze, Wyke;

LINCOLN CITY---(3-4-3); Jensen; O’Connor, Jackson, Eyoma; Sorenson, Hamilton, Erhahon, Burroughs; Smith, Makama, Mandroiu; Subs; Bishop, Vale, Duffy, Roughan;

Referee; Mr Charles Breakspear (Surrey).