Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs BLACKPOOL

16th March 2024.

LATICS HIT 50 POINT MARK AS SCOTT SMITH FIRES WINNER.

Wigan returned to winning ways when Scott Smith netted the winner with his first goal at senior level.

Latics had begun brightly with both Humphrys on the right and Jones on the left looking to create opportunities.

Good link up play on the right with Scott Smith and Humphrys nearly created a shooting chance but the Blackpool defence were able to close down the move and see off any danger.  The best chance came from a corner that was played deep by Jordan Jones to find Aasgaard but his header passed just inches wide of the goal.  Then midway through the half another cross that was whipped in by Jones caused all sorts of problems in the visitor’s area, Aasgaard flung himself at the ball but just failed to make contact but Scott SMITH was arriving late beyond the back post and he produced a neat side foot finish to open the scoring.

The Tangerines suffered another blow when leading scorer Jordan Rhodes was forced to leave the field through injury, but they did try hard to respond and Byers had a shot well saved by Tickle. The Wigan keeper had to be alert again a few minutes later when substitute Sean Lavery had a shot from distance that took a wicked deflection and Tickle did well to hold the effort.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 1-0 Blackpool.

Blackpool, who are still very much in the hunt for a play-off spot, came out on the front foot in the second period.

They dominated possession but failed to work Tickle who was being well protected by the excellent Charlie Hughes and his fellow defenders.

It was Wigan who had the first real chance of the half when Godo broke quickly down the wing and crossed for Humphrys who produced a neat volley but it drifted just wide of the target. Byers then tried a curling effort for the Pool but it failed to work Tickle who could watch it pass over his crossbar.

As the game entered its final 20 minutes Blackpool did start to get some joy and Lavery did well to roll Chambers and he sprinted forward before firing a fierce shot that found the side-netting.

Blackpool brought on ex-Wigan player Kyle Joseph and he headed just wide following a cross from the right, then on the counter attack Jones nutmegged his marker and played Aasgaard into space but the Norwegians curling shot was disappointingly wide.

In injury time Blackpool nearly grabbed a point that they probably just about deserved when Virtue crossed and found Joseph but the young striker headed just over the bar from five yards and Latics were able to hold on for the win.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 1-0 Blackpool.

Scorers; S. Smith (26);

Attendance; 13,964

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

BLACKPOOL (3-5-2) --- Grimshaw; Pennington, Ekpiteta, Casey; Gabriel, Dembele, Norburn, Byers, Coulson; Rhodes, Beesley; Subs; Lavery, Hamilton, Joseph, Carey, Virtue-Thick;

Referee; Mr. James Linington (Newport).