Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

FLEETWOOD TOWN vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

2nd March 2024.

AFTER THE LORD MAYOR’S SHOW.

Goals by Humphrys and Aasgaard could not prevent Latics falling to a heavy defeat against a Fleetwood side that, despite this impressive win, look destined for relegation.

Latics started the game well and Chambers crossed for Humphrys who saw his header blocked but the ball fell to Clare and his shot via a deflection ended in the hands of Lynch. Godo and Humphrys then combined on the right flank but their dangerous cross was cleared by a defensive head. A steady drizzle and cold wind were making the pitch slippy but on 15 minutes Fleetwood’s number five LAWAL played a neat one-two with Stockley before lashing a fine volley into the corner of the Latics net.

Wigan responded well and HUMPHRYS quickly levelled the game. Matt Smith won the ball in midfield and fed the striker who ran at the home defence before checking onto his right foot and firing a bullet effort past the hapless keeper.

 Wigan had the wind in their sails and a quick free kick in centre field allowed Aasgaard to find Clare on the right, he fed Godo on the overlap and when the winger crossed it was perfectly weighted and allowed the unmarked AASGAARD to flash a header into the net.

Fleetwood nearly equalised when Campbell headed just wide following a corner from the left before LAWAL netted his second with another individual effort.  Latics allowed the Irish midfielder too much room and with quick feet he made room for a low shot from the edge of the box that found the corner of the net.

Half Time; Fleetwood Town 2-2 Wigan Athletic.

The conditions worsened as the second half began with the torrential rain and wind making it increasingly difficult for Latics to play their normal passing game.  Fleetwood certainly adapted better as they began to go more direct and make good use of Stockley and his physical stature. The home side took the lead on 54 minutes, but the goal did benefit from a big stroke of good fortune.  A corner kick was taken short and KILKENNY fired at goal through a sea of bodies, and with the help of a looping deflection the ball beat the diving Tickle to find the net. Fleetwood were now dominant and a goal-bound effort was blocked at close range by Chambers, then after another in-swinging corner Wiredu bundled the ball home, only for the referee to rule it out for a push in the box. The fourth Fleetwood goal did not feel far away and on 61 minutes STOCKLEY got the goal that his efforts deserved when he outmuscled Kerr to get on the end of a Ryan Broom cross and head home from close-range. Maloney responded with four changes but it was Fleetwood who continued to press and Scott Smith did well to block a certain goal by clearing off the line.

Wigan briefly threatened as Aasgaard fired a shot that rattled the home crossbar but it was still Fleetwood who looked the more likely with Omochere charging down a Tickle clearance only to see it deflect wide of the goal, then in injury time the same striker had a chance on the counter-attack but his shot lacked the required accuracy.

The conditions may not have helped Wigan but after their heroics against Bolton this was a reality check for the team. They had been outfought by a side that were desperate to steer themselves clear of the relegation dog-fight and while most fans believe Wigan are too good to get drawn into the scrap the truth is that the job is not yet done and performances like this cannot be allowed to be repeated.

Full Time; Fleetwood Town 4-2 Wigan Athletic

Scorers; Humphrys (18) Aasgaard (26); Lawal (15), (36), Kilkenny (54), Stockley (61);

Attendance; 3,827

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

FLEETWOOD TOWN (3-5-2) --- Lynch; Campbell, Heneghan, Wiredu; Patterson, Kilkenny, Mayor, Lawal, Broom; Stockley, Coughlan; Subs; Omochere, Johnston, Graydon;

Referee; Mr. Anthony Backhouse (Carlisle).

Historically fifty points has been seen as the safety mark for avoiding relegation, so two more wins should see Wigan Athletic secure for another season. The gap to the play-offs, because of the eight-point deduction, looks too great.