Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

CHARLTON ATHLETIC vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

9^TH April 2024.

KELMAN DOUBLE EARNS LATICS A POINT.

A Tuesday night trip down to the Valley in north London was next up for the Latics. Charlton began well and after six minutes a long ball by Terell Thomas fell kindly into Thierry Small’s path but his first-time shot was well blocked. Wigan responded with some neat play by Godo who broke into the box as he weaved his way past defenders but his shot was from a tight angle and his strike was saved by Isted. Scott Smith curled an effort just over the Charlton bar after good build up play had allowed Matt Smith to find him in space.

Then out of nothing the opening goal arrived. A long ball over the Wigan back line saw Alfie May putting Hughes under pressure. HUGHES sliced his clearance and it looped over Tickle into the Wigan net. Wigan appealed that Hughes had been fouled (which he clearly had), but the referee allowed the goal to stand.

Charlton had a chance to double their advantage but Dobson could only find the side netting when well placed. At the right end a Matt Smith in-swinging corner nearly caught Isted napping but the Charlton keeper just manged to scramble the ball clear before Kelman could pounce. Anderson then got away from Jonny Smith but Hughes was quick to close the attacker down and the shot was blocked. Alfie May was a handful in the Charlton attack and he fired in a shot just before the break that deflected just wide.

Half Time; Charlton Athletic 1-0 Wigan Athletic

Charlton piled on the pressure at the start of the second period and Tickle had to be alert to stick out a leg to clear a low Thierry Small effort. Dobson then got in a good shot that deflected off Hughes and onto the post before the Wigan defence hacked the ball to safety. Alfie May had another half chance but his snap shot was blocked by the legs of Tickle as Wigan desperately tried to stay in the game. On 58 minutes Wigan began to re-establish a foot hold in the match and Jonny Smith curled a shot just over the bar. Hughes again came to Latics’ rescue when he blocked a shot by Daniel Kanu. Then after 62 minutes Latics got level. Jonny Smith broke down the right wing and fired in a low shot that Isted could only palm out to KELMAN who slid the ball home. Four minutes later and Godo found the ex-Charlton favourite Sean Clare, he slid in KELMAN and the strikers well struck shot found the net with the help of a slight deflection.

The home side were now chasing the game and Wigans defenders were working hard to keep them at bay. A whipped cross from the left found Aneke only two yards from goal and unmarked but somehow he fluffed his shot and it looped over the bar. However, on 79 minutes ANEKE did find an equaliser when he outjumped his marker at the back post and headed in a Dobson cross. Wigan substitute Chris Sze saw a goal-bound effort strike Kelman as the QPR loanee searched for a hat-trick. Then on 88 minutes Hughes came to Wigans rescue when he headed off the Latics line. The Wigan players dug deep and despite an anxious seven minutes of extra time they stood firm and claimed a point.

Full Time; Charlton Athletic 2-2 Wigan Athletic

Attendance; 11,169

Scorers; Hughes (19, OG), Aneke (79); Kelman (62), (66);

WIGAN (3-4-3) --- Tickle; Hughes, Kerr, Goode; M. Smith, S. Smith, J. Smith, Clare; Godo; Aasgaard, Kelman; Subs; Pearce, McManaman, Adeeko, Morrison, Sze;

CHARLTON ATHLETIC (3-4-1-2) --- Isted; Gillesphey, Hector, Thomas; Small, Coventry, Dobson, Watson; Anderson; Kanu, May; Subs; Ramsay, Aneke, Campbell, LuaLua, Wickham;

Referee; Mr. L. Swabey;

Manager Maloney just made it to the Valley in time for kick off, he had spent most of the day in the maternity unit as his wife gave birth to a gorgeous baby girl.

Wigans next opponents are fighting hard for that last play-off berth and are in a good run of form with an impressive record at Sincil Bank.