Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs LEYTON ORIENT

7th March 2024.

SUPER-SUB JASON WITH A CRACK-KERR.

Latics beat 10-man Leyton Orient with Jason Kerr coming off the bench to head the winner midway through the second half. The manager had rung the changes following the disappointing showing at Fleetwood with Kerr, Clare, Godo, Humphrys and Jonny Smith all dropping out of the starting XI.

The first period was a tight encounter with few chances, Jones had the first effort of the game when he beat his man for pace before cutting inside but his shot was scuffed wide of the target. At the other end Pratley fired in a low cross that bobbled free in the area but Cooper failed to direct his hurried shot onto goal. Then Pratley fired over the bar after a Chambers headed clearance fell to him 25-yards out. McManaman was lively on the right and he delivered a deep cross but Jones, arriving late, only looped his shot into the keeper’s arms. Hughes did have a header cleared off the line by Galbraith following a corner, and Magennis created a half-chance, only to be denied by an Orient defender. Jordan Jones, who had been lively on the left flank was involved in the games turning point on 41 minutes. A long pass looked to search out the Northern Ireland winger and Ethan Galbraith looked to intercept, the ball bounced awkwardly and the defender raised his foot and inadvertently caught Jones on the head, the referee quickly showed the yellow card and with the defender already having been booked a red card followed. (despite the plea from Jones who was requesting leniency for his fellow Irish international).

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 0-0 Leyton Orient.

The second half saw Orient sitting deeper as they tried to frustrate Latics and make light of their one-man disadvantage. Latics tried to be patient and three minutes after the restart an Adeeko through ball sent McManaman into space but the winger dragged his shot just wide of the far post.

Jones then fired in a low cross for substitute Kelman to attack, but he failed to get the right contact with his header and the chance was gone. With the crowd’s frustration growing Maloney introduced Kerr and Jonny Smith and one minute later the two new men linked up to grab the crucial goal. Smith made ground on the left flank before checking back and firing over a cross that found KERR, who had drifted into space, and he placed a firm header past Brynn in the Orient goal.

Orient tried hard to get back into the game and on 88 minutes Piggott tested Tickle with a rasping drive, but the young keeper saved well.

Latics did have chances to hit Orient on the break, first Godo sprinted clear but his cross just evaded Humphrys and Kelman who were sprinting forward to try and join the attack. Then Humphrys got free down the left before cutting inside and curling a shot but Brynn made a good save.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 1-0 Leyton Orient.

Scorers; Kerr (73);

Attendance; 10,352

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

LEYTON ORIENT (4-2-3-1) --- Brynn; Galbraith, Beckles, Cooper, James; Pratley, El Mizouni; O’Neill, Sanders, Forde; Sotiriou; Subs; Hunt, Brown, Sweeney, Adu Adjei, Piggott;

Referee; Mr. Scott Oldham (Blackpool)

A big three points and a big step towards that 50-point mark. It was not easy as Orient sat deep and defended well but one lapse of concentration allowed Kerr to find the net.

The promotion battle and the relegation battle are both hotting up but for once Latics are sat very much in mid-table.