Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

CAMBRIDGE UNITED vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

1st April 2024.

LACKLUSTRE LATICS ARE THE APRIL FOOLS.

Wigan had more possession and more shots but failed to mount a serious challenge against a Cambridge United side who fought for every ball as they try to pull clear of the drop zone. If ever a moment summed up a game it was when Latics were awarded a penalty for a foul on Magennis from a corner. A goal at this stage would have levelled the scores but Magennis saw his shot parried by the keeper and with the goal completely unguarded Chambers and Sze fell over each other and a simple tap-in became a scene of comedic proportions as United were able to clear the danger.

Wigan had begun well and Magennis fed Godo who used his quick feet to check inside and get away a shot that deflected just wide of the target. The resulting corner caused panic in the United box and the ball fell to Kerr who was hauled down and only an offside flag denied Latics a penalty kick. On 11 minutes Cambridge had their first foray forward and Brophy fired a low, speculative ball across the box, AHADME flicked out a foot and the ball found its way into the bottom corner of the net with Tickle beaten.

Latics had a chance to respond five minutes later when Charlie Hughes fired a long diagonal pass to pick out Chambers who sprinted forward before pulling the ball back to Chris Sze, but the youngster saw his shot blocked by the Cambridge defence. Wigan continued to huff and puff and on 33 minutes were gifted a golden chance to equalise when ex-Tic Jordan Cousins fouled Magennis in the box and the referee pointed to the spot.

Half Time; Cambridge United 1-0 Wigan Athletic.

Maloney was clearly unhappy with the first half showing and made a number of changes as he tried to re-invigorate his side.

One of those changes was Kelman and he saw a snap shot deflect just wide after a good knock-down from Magennis had given him space. Play quickly switched to the other end and Sullay Kaikai was given far too much time. Kaikai was able to deliver a good cross and the hard-working AHADME out-muscled Hughes and planted a header past Tickle from close-range.

On 64 minutes Matt Smith lifted a lovely ball over the United defence for the onrushing GODO who calmly slid home the chance past the advancing keeper to give Wigan a lifeline.

Godo was clearly, ‘in the mood’ and was now looking to run at the defence at every opportunity. He fired in a shot from 25-yards that had Mannion at full stretch, then just as an equaliser started to look likely a 30-yard screamer of a free-kick by ANDREW found the top corner of the Wigan net and Tickle was left grasping at nothing but fresh air as he flung himself to his left to try and make the save.

Full Time; Cambridge United 3-1 Wigan Athletic

Scorers; Ahadme (11), (57), Andrew (83); Godo (64);

Attendance; 6,418

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

CAMBRIDGE UNITED (4-4-2) --- Mannion; L. Bennett, Jobe, R. Bennett, Andrew; Gibbons, Cousins, Digby, Kaikai; Ahadme, Brophy; Subs; Kachuga, Lankester, Okenabirhie;

Referee; Mr. Anthony Backhouse;