Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

NORTHAMPTON TOWN vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

13^th January 2024

LATICS FIGHT BACK TO EARN A DESERVED POINT.

Wigan began the game superbly and quickly established a degree of control as the midfield passed the ball with pace and accuracy. A swift move saw Aasgaard switch the ball out to Godo who played a neat one-two with Clare before setting up Jones but the final shot was rushed and passed well over the bar.

All the good work by Latics in the first 15 minutes was thrown away when a bad first touch by Adeeko saw the ball run loose and Simpson collected the ball before bursting into the area, Tickle rushed out and tried to save at the striker’s feet but he failed to touch the ball and when the Northampton man hit the deck a penalty was correctly awarded. HOSKINS drove the ball low into the corner and Tickle, despite going the right way, failed to get a saving touch. Wigan tried to respond and Adeeko found Godo in space and when the Fulham loanee whipped in a cross it was just too strong for Aasgaard and Jones as they tried to get a vital touch. Northampton had a long throw and when Pinnock’s delivery was only partially cleared it fell to McWilliams but his first-time volley went wide of the goal. As half-time approached Bowie latched onto a long ball out of defence and muscled past Chambers before Tickle saved well at his near post, then at the right end an in-swinging corner was met by Morrison but Burge somehow got his hand to the effort to deny the leveller.

Half Time; Northampton Town 1-0 Wigan Athletic.

The second half began with Wigan pressing hard for the equaliser, Aasgaard tried his luck from distance but a deflection took the sting out of his shot and the keeper saved. Then on 64 minutes a quick free kick saw Matt Smith, who was making his first appearance for nearly four months following a hernia operation, threading a lovely pass through for Godo and when the ball was squared across the goal MAGENNIS lunged in to steer the ball home from close-range.

The game became bogged down in midfield and neither side seemed to have the creativity to break down the opposing defence. Pinnock did try his luck from range but the shot passed by the post.

Wyke came on to replace Magennis and then Jonny Smith came on for Godo, but there was to be no grandstand finish and the game petered out into a draw.

Full Time; Northampton Town 1-1 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; Hoskins (16, pen); Magennis (64);

Attendance; 6,664

WIGAN (3-4-3) --- Tickle; Hughes, Morrison, Chambers; Clare, Adeeko, Sessegnon, Jones; Godo, Aasgaard, Magennis; Subs; McManaman, J. Smith, M. Smith, Wyke;

NORTHAMPTON TOWN (4-2-3-1) --- Burge; Brough, Guthrie, Willis, McGowan; Leonard, McWilliams; Hoskins, Pinnock, Bowie; Simpson; Subs; Monthe, Appere;

Referee; Mr. Anthony Backhouse (Carlisle).