Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs CHELTENHAM TOWN

24^th February 2024

WIGAN FRUSTRATED BY BATTLING ROBINS.

Tom Pearce came in for the suspended Sean Clare, Kelman came in for his first start and Jason Kerr made his 300^th career appearance.

Wigan began well and on six minutes an Aasgaard corner nearly found Kerr at the far post but, under heavy pressure, he was unable to get the vital touch. Then Cheltenham, on their first foray forward opened the scoring. A free kick was swung into the Wigan area and when the Kerr was out muscled the ball fell kindly to TAYLOR whose first time shot found the corner of the net.

Latics looked to respond and Jonny Smith showed great speed down the wing to beat his marker before squaring to Godo who tried to jink his way into the box before feeding Kelman, but the defence closed ranks and the strikers shot was well blocked. Latics were dominating possession but the passing and movement lacked pace and there was no cutting edge. Godo tried a shot from distance that the keeper was able to collect and Chambers let fly from 35 yards but the ball flew over the crossbar.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 0-1 Cheltenham Town.

Maloney made three changes at the break, with Humphrys, McManaman and Magennis all coming on, and within seven minutes of the restart Latics drew level.

A Godo cross found its way to Chambers at the back post and he fired in a strong shot that deflected past the keeper off the leg of BONDS to deny him his first ever professional goal. Latics continued to have the better of the game and the muscular Magennis held up play well before laying a nice pass back to Jonny Smith whose low shot was straight at the keeper.

At the other end a wicked shot by Keena tested the handling of Sam Tickle, but the Wigan man was well up to the task. Then as time began to run out a near post cross was met by Magennis who got in front of his marker but his volleyed effort was just too high. At the other end, deep in injury time Kinsella fired an effort just over from 35 yards.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 1-1 Cheltenham Town.

Scorers; Taylor (9); Bonds (OG,52);

Attendance; 9,326

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

CHELTENHAM TOWN (3-5-2) --- Southwood; Davies, Bradbury, Freestone; Long, Bonds, Pett, Kinsella, Ferry; Taylor, Lloyd; Subs; Keena, Harrop, Sercombe, Nuttall;

Referee; D. Rock;

More good news arrived for Wigan as Baba Adeeko agreed a new contract extension which tied the young midfielder to the club until summer of 2027.