Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

LINCOLN CITY vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

13^th April 2024.

SUPERB LATICS UPSET THE IMPS AND DENT THEIR PLAY-OFF HOPES.

Despite having little to play for, except pride, Latics took a good following down to play-off chasing Lincoln City.  The Imps came into the game in a fine run of form and were unbeaten at home in 2024 and had clocked up sixteen games since their last league defeat. That confidence showed as the home side began the game well and Taylor got behind the Wigan defence and fizzed a cross into the penalty area but no-one was able to take advantage. It took Latics time to settle and their first foray forward was on 12 minutes when Jonny Smith checked in from the right and curled a shot and Jensen had to fling himself full length to punch the effort away. A Tom Pearce free-kick caused issues for the Lincoln defenders and Hughes was able to win the ball at the back post and get away a shot but it flew narrowly wide. Wigan were playing well and a superb passing move on 20 minutes that started with Hughes and Kerr and went the whole length of the pitch with Pearce and Aasgaard linking well before ending when Jonny SMITH curled a deflected shot past the helpless Jensen and into the Lincoln net.

Lincoln searched for an instant reply and had the ball in the net four minutes later when Taylor tucked away a rebound after Tickle could only block a fierce shot by Mandroiu, but Latics were saved as the linesman had raised his flag (correctly) for offside. With the pressure building the home side had two penalty appeals waved away (correctly). Then on 40 minutes the equaliser arrived, MANDROIU picked the ball up on half way and as the Wigan defence backed off he struck a speculative 30-yarder that bounced just in front of the diving Tickle and found its way into the corner of the net. Lincoln could have grabbed the lead before the break as Taylor twice spurned opportunities, first he had a header well saved by Tickle, then he volleyed an effort into the ground and it bounced just over the bar.

Half Time; Lincoln City 1-1 Wigan Athletic

Latics began well after the break and Kelman went close but his shot was well blocked by Lincoln captain Paudie O’Connor. Then at the other end Taylor broke free and with just Tickle he calmly slid the ball home, but he had gone too early and was flagged offside (correctly). On 62 minutes a deep cross was pulled back by Taylor and Hackett poked the ball home, but again the flag was raised, this time indicating that the ball had crossed the dead ball line before being pulled back across goal (a really close call).

Wigan were still looking dangerous and twice Aasgaard won headers but on each occasion he was unable to find the target. Hughes threw his body in the way of another Lincoln effort and then Sorensen headed over when well placed. Both sides were playing some enterprising stuff and Magennis let fly from distance only to see it blocked by a Lincoln defender. 

As we entered time added on it seemed that both sides had run out of ideas but a short throw from Magennis found Sessegnon, he crossed and when it was only partially cleared by a Lincoln head the ball fell to HUGHES who volleyed home through a ruck of defenders and into the Lincoln net.

There was still time for Hughes to produce a last-ditch block to deny Lincoln an equaliser and for Aasgaard to force Jensen into a fine diving save.

Full Time; Lincoln City 1-2 Wigan Athletic

Attendance; 9,611

Scorers; Mandroiu (40); J. Smith (20) Hughes (90);

WIGAN (4-2-3-1) --- Tickle; Hughes, Kerr, Sessegnon, Pearce; M. Smith, Adeeko; J. Smith, Godo, Aasgaard; Kelman; Subs; Morrison, Magennis, S.Smith, Sze;

LINCOLN CITY (3-5-2) --- Jensen; Roughan, O’Connor, Mitchell; Hackett-Fairchild, Mandroiu, Erhahon, Maylan, Sorenson; Taylor, House; Subs; Makana, Draper, Duffy, Burroughs;

Referee; Mr. M. Coy;