Report by SJG

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.

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs CARLISLE UNITED

29^th December 2023

A CRUCIAL WIN.

A dominant display under the Friday night floodlights at the DW saw Wigan put some much-needed breathing space between themselves and the drop zone. Latics started quickly and inside three minutes they could have taken the lead when a corner was headed across the goal by Hughes at the far post and Morrison diverted the ball against the foot of the post with the keeper beaten. Latics continued to press and a cross by Humphry’s almost found the head of the lurking Magennis.

Humphrys was causing lots of problems down the left wing and when he outpaced his marker the full back Emmanuel slid in to try and execute a tackle but the defender missed the ball and brought down Humphrys for a stonewall penalty which was duly awarded. MAGENNIS stepped up and in front of the massed ranks of over 4,000 visiting fans he coolly slotted home.  Two minutes later Shaw went on a driving run that split the Carlisle defence but his shot was snatched and passed over the bar. Carlisle threatened briefly and it was Emmanuel that fired just over the bar after a neat run and check inside.

On 36 minutes a wicked corner by Smith passed right across the face of goal and MORRISON made up for his earlier miss by firing home from close-range.

Shaw then headed over a great chance that really should have made the game safe, before in injury time Aasgaard had another chance but scuffed his shot wide.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 2-0 Carlisle United.

Carlisle, who were now attacking the end where their fans were congregated started the second half with renewed energy and Edmundson got his head to a whipped cross but Tickle was alert to any danger. At the other end Jonny Smith found space to run into and after checking inside he fired goalwards but Breeze was well positioned and saved.  A Carlisle free kick caused a few hearts to flutter as Armer toe-poked the ball past Tickle, but it passed beyond the far post to safety.

Ex-Tic Joe Garner came on as sub for the visitors and nearly netted on 68 minutes when his header flashed narrowly wide following a free-kick. Another set piece saw Barclay heading straight at Tickle, then Latics substitute Wyke, who had missed out on the last game as his partner was giving birth to his daughter Ava, fired over from the edge of the box. Garner, who as per usual was ruffling plenty of feathers with his all-action approach, saw an effort deflected wide on 84 minutes, but Wigan continued to defend well and they saw out the remaining minutes and head into 2024 on the back of three much needed points.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 2-0 Carlisle United.

Scorers; Magennis (16, pen), Morrison (36);

Attendance; 13,224

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

CARLISLE (3-5-2) --- Breeze; Barclay, Lavelle, Mellish; Emmanuel, McCalmont, Moxon, Robinson, Armer; Maguire, Edmondson; Subs; Garner, Charters, Butterworth;

Referee; Mr Darren Drysdale (Lincolnshire).

The win helped Latics end the year in 18^th position in the table and six points above the dreaded relegation zone. Considering the handicap of the eight-point deduction and the ongoing transfer restrictions most of the club’s supporters would consider the season to be going well, but others would look at local rivals Bolton, currently riding high in the promotion places, and feel that there is more to come from this group of players. Away from the pitch the Supporters Club have been re-organised to become a Trust and in a great coup they managed to persuade a major Latics hero to take on the role of Honorary Life President.  As supporters we may disagree over tactics, selections, players, performances, but on this appointment there will be no dissenting voices.

Hopefully 2024 will see Latics re-emerging as a force in the football pyramid under their new ownership.