Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

BARNSLEY vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

1^st January 2024

LATICS IMPRESS IN FIRST OUTING OF THE NEW YEAR.

A tough start for the boys at Oakwell against a very much in-form Barnsley side that are currently riding high in the table and have only lost one game in their last thirteen league outings.

Latics made four changes to their starting XI and began well with their confident passing and movement proving a real problem for the Yorkshire side. Barnsley were trying to press really high but Godo with his direct running got clear and whipped in a good cross that Magennis was just unable to direct onto the target from six yards.

Barnsley also looked lively and Devante Cole twice brought Tickle into action, firstly with a looped header that was collected under the bar, then with a near post flick that was saved at the near post. Latics had a great chance on 17 minutes when Godo rolled the ball to Jones to strike at goal from 20 yards, but the first- time shot was too high. On 31 minutes Jones dug out a deep cross that Liam Shaw headed goalwards but Roberts, in the Barnsley goal was well positioned to make the save. Barnsley kept pressing and a wild shot by Kane was flicked goalwards by McAtee but Tickle was alert to any danger. Then on the stroke of half-time a fortunate deflection left McAtee in space and his low driven cross was turned home from close-range by COLE, who lifted his effort over the diving Tickle. The goal was tough on Latics who had looked a solid unit and deserved to go in at the break with the score at least level.

Half Time; Barnsley 1-1 Wigan Athletic.

The second period saw wigan continuing to make chances and trouble the home side. On 52 minutes a cross by Shaw was not properly cleared and Magennis pounced to rocket a shot at goal, but his first-time volley went narrowly wide.  Another Latics cross, this time from Jones, found Godo on the edge of the box but his control was not good enough and the chance was wasted. On 83 minutes Wigan had a corner and Jonny Smith whipped in a fine delivery that deceived everyone and landed in the home net. The referee, however, surprised everyone when he blew for a foul on the keeper and disallowed the goal. Replays showed that there may have been the slightest of tugs by Clare on the keeper’s shirt, but the decision looked, at best, harsh on the Wigan side.

With Wigan pressing forward the home side broke and Cadden had a chance to secure the win but Tickle made a good stop.

The miss was to prove vital as on 87 minutes a short corner saw Jonny SMITH check inside and unleash the sweetest of curling drives that gave the keeper absolutely no chance.  A real goal of the year contender.

Latics held firm for the remaining minutes to gain a well-deserved point.

Full Time; Barnsley 1-1 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; Cole (45+1); J. Smith (87);

Attendance; 12,836

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

BARNSLEY (3-1-4-2) --- Roberts; McCart; Durand de Gevigney, Williams; Cornell; Cadden, Kane, Phillips, O’Keefe; McAtee, Cole; Subs; Styles, Watters, Jaio;

Referee; Mr Sebastian Stockbridge.

The other results meant that Wigan now only stand four points above the relegation zone, but performances like this will surely see them secure their divisional status.  The attention now turns back to the F. A. Cup and the visit of Manchester United to the DW Stadium.