Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs BURTON ALBION

29th March 2024.

LATICS DOMINATE THE BALL BUT ALBION STAND FIRM.

The international break had seen several Latics players selected to play for their countries, Adeeko (EireU21), Magennis and Jones (Northern Ireland), Morrison (Scotland U21), Sam Tickle (England U21), Hughes and Godo (England development squad). Sam Tickle made the final XI and made his England U21 debut in a 7-0 victory at Bolton’s Toughsheet stadium.

Latics manager Maloney made five team changes to the starting XI as he tried to keep the players fresh. Latics dominated the early possession but it was the visitors who had the first shot in anger after four minutes when Mason Bennett fired wide of Sam Tickle’s post. On 15 minutes Latics finally came to life as Humphrys checked inside and unleashed an effort with the outside of his foot that was blocked by a Burton defender. Bennett went close again for Burton as he volleyed over from 10 yards after being picked out by a Steve Seddon cross. Next, Sean Clare won a challenge in midfield and quickly stepped forward before feeding a slide rule pass to Humphrys who fired a low ball under the keeper but Burtons centre half Sam Hughes was on hand to clear the ball off the line. On 39 minutes Aasgaard and Pearce linked well which allowed the midfielder to exchange passes with Matt Smith before getting in a shot that deflected narrowly over the crossbar. A short corner saw Scott Smith finding space and his shot was saved at full stretch by the Burton keeper who parried the effort away to Matt Smith but he could only find the side netting from a tight angle. On 43 minutes Scott Smith got his reward for some enterprising play, he chased down a through ball and somehow managed to gain possession and whip a cross into the penalty area where the unfortunate Sam HUGHES mistimed his clearing header and only succeeded in finding his own net.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 1-0 Burton Albion.

On 47 minutes Burton Albion should have levelled the scores when Hugill, on loan from Manchester United, was left too much space inside the penalty area. The striker fired his volley against the post and Bennett who was first to the rebound, saw his shot blocked by Charlie Goode. Six minutes later and the Burton fans were celebrating as following a deep corner BRAYFORD managed to bundle the ball into the net from close range.

Latics looked for an instant response and Hughes fed a lovely ball inside the full back to set Kelman in on goal only for his shot to be straight at the keeper.

Mark Helm then had a shooting chance but his effort was well gathered by Tickle. The Wigan keeper then produced an excellent point blank save to deny Seddon

Great work from Smith and Sessegnon down the wing saw a searching cross finding the head of Aasgaard but his goal-bound header struck Sam Hughes and flew over the crossbar.  The resulting corner saw Aasgaard heading into the Burton net but the referee ruled the goal off for an alleged push. Wigan were dominating the game and Burton were sitting deep as they tried to keep Latics at bay. Substitute Chambers had a shot well held by Crocombe, then Chris Sze headed over from a Sessegnon cross. With time running out Aasgaard tried a curling shot from the edge of the box but the keeper read his intentions and collected well. Then deep in stoppage time Godo fired a low cross across the face of the goal but no-one could get the vital touch and the points were shared.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 1-1 Burton Albion.

Scorers; S. Hughes (43, OG); Brayford (54);

Attendance; 11,426

WIGAN (4-2-3-1) --- Tickle; Clare, Hughes, Goode, Pearce; S. Smith, M. Smith; J. Smith, Aasgaard, Humphrys; Kelman; Subs; Sessegnon, Magennis, Sze, Chambers, Godo;

BURTON ALBION (5-3-2) --- Crocombe; Hamer, Hughes, Brayford, Moon, Seddon; Gilligan, Powell, Helm; Hugill, Bennett; Subs; Ola Adebomi, Hackford, Oshilaja;

Referee; Mr. Darren Drysdale (Lincolnshire)

With most sides having six or seven games to go the battles at both ends of the table are hotting up. However, for once Latics are not in contention at either end of the table.