Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

PETERBOROUGH UNITED vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

3^rd February 2024

WIGAN COMPLETE DOUBLE OVER PROMOTION CHASING POSH.

Peterborough United came into this game on a long unbeaten run in the league with their last defeat being at the DW stadium earlier in the season. However, the promotion chasers were not going to have an easy afternoon as Latics overcame the odds and a harsh red card to grab the spoils.

Wigan began brightly enough but an enforced substitution after just seven minutes, with Sessegnon being helped from the pitch, saw a reshuffle and a change of shape that allowed the hosts to establish a degree of control. Hughes did well to block an effort from Mason-Clark, then a snap shot by Collins from the edge of the box passed harmlessly over the bar.  Mason-Clark was denied again, this time by a last-ditch tackle from Sean Clare, and Tickle had to be alert to save an effort from Randall and then recover to claw away the rebound.

Against the run of play Latics took the lead, a raking Crossfield ball by Hughes picked out Jones who slipped his marker before pulling back the perfect cross that AASGAARD swept home with a first-time finish.

Peterborough pushed for the equaliser and Goode cleared a goal-bound effort off the line. Latics continued to look dangerous on the counter-attack, Jones found space on the left and fed Aasgaard who in turn picked out Godo but his effort was well saved by Bilokapic in the Posh goal.

Ricky Jade-Jones had a great chance to equalise after good work from Olakigbe down the right wing, but he directed his close-range header wide of the target.

Half Time; Peterborough United 0-1 Wigan Athletic.

Burrows fired an effort over in the first minute of the second period, and at the other end Jones fired over after a deep cross from Clare had found him at the back post. A few moments later and Clare had a chance of his own following good work from Aasgaard but he volleyed over.

Aasgaard played a vital role in Latics second goal on 52 minutes. Godo broke quickly on the right wing before squaring to the Norwegian who swept a shot goalwards, MAGENNIS got the faintest of flicks onto the effort and the keeper was unable to stop the ball as it arrowed into the bottom corner of his net.

Peterborough now threw caution to the wind as they sought a way back into the game, Katongo played a dangerous ball into the Latics box but it was cleared, then Mason-Clark fired over from 12 yards. Matt Smith picked up a soft yellow card for handball on 66 minutes and ten minutes later he collected a second caution for a shirt pull and had to leave the field.

Jade-Jones fired over following another cross and then on the break Latics added a third, substitute Humphrys did brilliantly to beat his man close to the by-line, before feeding in a low cross that AASGAARD slammed home from fully two yards out.

Posh pulled one back in injury time when KNIGHT poked the ball home following a goalmouth scramble and two minutes later they set up a grandstand finish when JADE-JONES bundled home a second goal, but it was too little too late and Wigan held on to take the points.

Full Time; Peterborough United 2-3 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; Aasgaard (20), (85), Magennis (52); Knight (90+1), Jade-Jones (90+3);

Attendance; 8,184

WIGAN (3-4-2-1) --- Tickle; Hughes, Goode, Sessegnon; Clare, M. Smith, Adeeko, Chambers; Aasgaard, Godo; Magennis; Subs; Jones, S. Smith, Kerr, Humphrys, Kelman;

PETERBOROUGH (4-2-3-1) --- Bilokapic; Katango, Knight, Edwards, Burrows; Kyprianou, Collins; Mason-Clark, Randall, Olakigbe; Jade-Jones; Subs; Ajiboye, Clarke-Harris, Mothersille;

Referee; Mr. D. Middleton.

Wigan now sit 13^th in the table, just 15 points below the play off places, could they come on a late surge?

Next up a home game against Exter City who Wigan have already beaten twice on their own turf.