Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs DERBY COUNTY

26^th December 2023

YOUNG LATICS NARROWLY FALTER AGAINST A STRONG RAMS OUTFIT

A young Latics side that included seven academy graduates fell to a narrow defeat against a strong and experienced Derby County team.

Derby dominated all the early exchanges and the first chance came from a Hourihane cross with Collins directing his far post header just over the bar. Wilson was then denied what looked a certain goal when Tickle produced a fine save to keep his header out of the Wigan net, the rebound fell to Cashin who tried to poke the ball home but the angle was too tight and the ball only struck the outside of the post. Another Hourihane cross caused panic in the Latics defence, but somehow it evaded everyone before passing behind for a goal kick. County took a deserved lead on 18 minutes when a cross by Barkhuizen on the left found the head of NELSON, who nodded home.  Latics then had a lucky escape when Forsyth out-muscled Sessegnon before lashing the ball into the roof of the Wigan net, only for the referee to pull play back and award Wigan a free-kick. A loose ball in midfield then fell kindly for Collins who raced through with just Tickle to beat, but the young keeper raced from his line and produced a fine save at the feet of the striker. Wigan huffed and puffed but failed to produce any real moments of note in a first period that the Rams totally dominated.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 0-1 Derby County.

Maloney introduced two wing men, McManaman and Jonny Smith, at the break as he tried to get the Wigan forward line firing but it was Derby who created the first chance of the second period. A cross from the right found its way to Tom Barkhuizen the ex-Blackpool and Preston forward but his shot from a tight angle only found the side netting. Minutes later and the same forward fired wide from the edge of the box following a corner. Tickle was finally tested when Barkhuizen let fly from 25 yards, but the keeper was able to palm the ball over the bar.

Latics finally tested the Rams keeper when a Scott Smith cross picked out Humphrys at the back post and the Wigan man took the ball on the volley but the well positioned keeper made the same look fairly routine. McManaman, who had been lively since his introduction, checked inside from the left and drove an effort at goal that had Wildsmith scrambling, but it went into the side netting.  Clare headed narrowly over the bar following a set piece, then Jonny Smith used his pace to break forward but his shot was hurried and deflected wide of the goal.

Wigan were now the side making all the running, but despite pushing hard for the leveller they could not pierce the Derby County defences and the points headed back to the midlands.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 0-1 Derby County.

Scorers; Nelson (18);

Attendance; 13,601

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

DERBY COUNTY---(4-4-2); Wildsmith; Nyambe, Nelson, Cashin, Forsyth; Wilson, Bird, Hourihane, Barkhuizen; Collins, Mendez-Lang; Subs; Sibley, Bradley, Formah, Elder;

Referee; Mr Thomas Parsons (Manchester).

The next game against Carlisle United is now a genuine six-pointer and both teams will be desperate to record a win. The Cumbrians will have a big vocal backing making the trip down the M6 and it is sure to be a nail-biting evening.