Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

PORT VALE vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

16^th December 2023

A BAD DAY AT THE OFFICE.

Wigan travelled to the Potteries with hopes high that they could extend their current good form and continue to climb up the League table.

The Valiants started well and they nearly grabbed an early lead when ex -Latics man Alfie Devine crossed for Grant who directed his effort goalwards only for the ball to hit fellow striker Chislett before rebounding onto the crossbar and into the grateful arms of Sam Tickle.

Chislett was involved again five minutes later when he latched onto a loose Latics pass and darted into space but his cross was deflected behind for a corner.

Vale continued to dominate play with Devine and fellow ex-Tic Massey both being prominent in the attacking third. A Devine pass found Arblaster whose strike looked goal-bound before a vital defensive touch took the ball wide. More pressure saw a mad scramble in the Latics box and the ball fell to Chislett but he pulled his shot wide from close-range. On 21 minutes Massey raced to the by-line and his low cross was turned home at the near post by CHISLETT.

The goal sparked Wigan into life with both Jordan Jones and Jonny Smith delivering useful crosses from out wide but Latics did not have enough presence in the box to convert the chances. Arblaster struck a drive from 20 yards but Tickle saved with relative ease. Lang then played a neat pass that played Jonny Smith in on goal, the winger nudged a shot past the keeper before Ripley brought him down, the referee waved play on, and the ball rolled past the far post.

Vale grabbed a second goal on 43 minutes, Arblaster did well to find space in the centre of the park and he slipped a pass to CHISLETT who had time to settle himself before slotting his shot into the corner of the net. Humphrys had a good chance to reduce the deficit on the stroke of half-time, Jones fed a good through ball to the burly striker but from a narrow angle he failed to hit the target.

Half Time; Port Vale 2-0 Wigan Athletic.

Maloney brought Wyke and Morrison on for Jonny Smith and Watts as he changed the set up to try and find a route back into the game. However, it was still the hosts that looked the more likely as Garrity forced Tickle into action, and then the Wigan keeper had to be at his very best when he made a double save denying Chislett and Devine in quick succession. Humphrys fired a dangerous cross across the Vale goal but the danger was cleared and from the resulting corner Clare headed just over the crossbar.

Latics were living dangerously at the back and they had Morrison and Clare to thank as both men came up with last ditch clearances to avoid the lead being stretched further. Chris Sze was introduced from the substitutes bench and it was not long after his introduction when he netted his first League goal. Lang won possession in the Vale half before bursting forward past his marker, he then pulled a cross back from the by-line and the late arriving SZE fired home with a first time shot into the roof of the net. Suddenly it was all Wigan, Lang was bundled over in the box but the referee was not interested in the penalty claims, then a cross by Sze was just cut out before Wyke could get a crucial touch at the far post. On 76 minutes another substitute McManaman twisted his full back inside out before delivering a precise far-post cross that WYKE forced home.

Both teams were chasing hard for a winning goal, Devine fired in an effort that struck the Latics post, then on 83 minutes CHISLETT was allowed too much time at the edge of the box and he curled home the vital winning goal. Latics still had another chance deep in injury time but Wyke’s looping header landed on the roof of the net and Wigan’s unbeaten run had come to an end.

Full Time; Port Vale 3-2 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; Sze (63), Wyke (77); Chislett (21), (43), (83);

Attendance; 6,701

Team; WIGAN---(4-2-3-1); Tickle; Sessegnon, Clare, Hughes, Watts; S. Smith, Adeeko; J. Smith, Lang, Jones; Humphrys; Subs; Sze, Wyke, McManaman, Morrison, Magennis;

PORT VALE---(3-4-2-1); Ripley; Balmer, Lowe, Debrah; Grant, Ojo, Arblaster, Massey; Devine, Chislett; Garrity; Subs; Sang, Loft, Iacovitti;

Referee; Mr Marc Edwards (Tyne and Wear)

Wigan now sit in 17^th position in the table, seven points above the relegation zone.

Josh Stones, who has made quite a good impression during his brief appearances with the first team has been sent out on loan to National League side Oldham Athletic.

Gregor Rioch, the clubs new sporting director spoke in glowing terms about the 20-year-old and hopes that he will be able to gain valuable experience during the loan spell.

Stones, who joined the Latics academy from Guiseley has captained England schoolboys at U18 level.

The combative striker has a good eye for goal and was leading scorer for the Wigan U21 side last term. He spent the second part of the season on loan at Ross County and when he returned to the club this summer he signed a three-year extension to his contract.

His loan at Oldham began well and he scored and created a number of goals. He certainly impressed the Oldham fans and he was quickly becoming a favourite until injury cut short his stay and he returned to the DW stadium for treatment.

The injury to ankle ligaments will keep Stones on the treatment table for about three months.