Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

SHREWSBURY TOWN vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

17^th February 2024

WIGAN BATTLE HARD TO EARN A VITAL WIN.

Manager Shaun Maloney made two changes to his starting line-up with Jason Kerr replacing the injured Charlie Goode and Josh Magennis starting instead of Charlie Kelman who dropped to the bench.

Latics began well with the in-form Jones looking lively on the left wing. Following a corner Baba Adeeko whipped in a good cross but former Tic Marco Marosi in the Shrewsbury goal collected well. The first big chance came on five minutes when Chambers made a strong forward run before feeding Godo, but Marosi got down well to palm away the initial shot and Clare blasted the rebound over the bar. Two further chances fell to the ex-Charlton wing back but these were squandered as the first hit the side netting and the second was just too high.

Godo had another chance to open the scoring after Matt Smith won the ball high up the field but a defender just managed to toe the ball clear before the winger could get his shot away. The Shrews had offered little in attack but on 20 minutes they found the net as following a corner Bloxham fired low into the corner, however, Latics were given a reprieve as the linesman flagged for offside. Another corner followed soon after, and with the constant threat of Dunkley attracting defenders it was another ex-Latics man, Tom Bayliss, who glanced a header just wide of the far post.

A long ball over the Latics backline saw Kerr slip as he turned and Udoh raced through, Kerr desperately slid in to try and clear and Udoh was sent tumbling only for the referee to adjudge that Kerr had played the ball and wave play-on.

Half Time; Shrewsbury Town 0-0 Wigan Athletic.

Sam Tickle came to Wigan’s rescue at the start of the second half as he somehow kept out a Pierre header with a strong left hand before Kerr did well to block the rebound. Kerr was marshalling the Wigan defence well to keep the Shrews at bay and slightly against the run of play Latics grabbed the lead on 57 minutes. Jones delivered an in-swinging corner that caused mayhem in the home defence, and when the ball was only half cleared SMITH hammered the ball into the roof of the net, with the aid of a deflection, to record his first goal for the Latics.

The home side tried to hit back but Tickle pushed away a driven effort from Benning to keep the lead intact. Maloney made three quick substitutions and these nearly led to a second goal as Jonny Smith fed the ball to Aasgaard and he tested Marosi with a curled effort.

At the other end the home side were pushing hard to try and level affairs with a series of corners and free kicks being launched into the Wigan area. Dunkley came very close when his header deflected only inches wide of the post, then another dangerous delivery was headed out by Kerr.

The referee added eleven extra minutes but despite the onslaught Latics stood firm and grabbed a precious three points.

The 1,100 fans who had made the trip were in full voice as they cheered, chanted and sang, there was no doubt that this was a big result and suddenly everyone was breathing easier.

Full Time; Shrewsbury Town 0-1 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; M. Smith (57);

Attendance; 7,206

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

SHREWSBURY (4-2-3-1) --- Marosi; Benning, Pierre, Dunkley, Feeney; Hinchy, Winchester; Shipley, Bayliss, Bloxham; Udoh; Subs; Bennett, Perry, Bowman, Kenneh, O’Brien;

Referee; L. Swabey;