Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

PORTSMOUTH vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

20^th April 2024.

WIGAN ATHLETIC CRASH THE CHAMPIONS PARTY.

Midweek results saw Portsmouth confirmed as League One champions and the scene was set for a party with a packed stadium in joyous mood. Latics welcomed the hosts onto the park with a guard of honour but that gesture apart there was little respect shown to their hosts who were given the run around by a Wigan side who produced a flowing performance, particularly in the first half.

Pompey started well enough and Sessegnon had to be alert to produce a well-timed tackle to halt a driving run by Saydee. On six minutes Bishop had a golden chance to open the scoring but his floated effort drifted wide with Tickle stranded following a poor back pass.

Wigan began to settle and Jonny Smith fired an effort past the diving Norris following a neat cut inside but the post came to the home sides rescue. Latics began to play the ball well and on 22 minutes they took the lead when Smith crossed for Aasgaard to head back across goal and Adeeko laid the ball back to CHAMBERS whose deflected effort found the net.

Wigan were now dominating play and a neat passing move saw Godo breaking into space and only a last-ditch tackle by Raggett stopped the wing man doubling the lead. On 42 minutes Kelman fired in a shot that Norris could only push away and Chambers perhaps should of done better with the rebound as he fired into the side-netting.

Half Time; Portsmouth 0-1 Wigan Athletic

The champions came out after the break with renewed purpose and Lane saw his shot deflect wide of the goal. At the other end Adeeko went close from a Chambers cross but Ogilvie produced the last-ditch block.

Good work by substitute Tom Pearce set fellow sub Magennis free on the wing but the Pompey keeper was quickly off his line to smother the danger.

A long range shot by Raggett saw Tickle make a good save and the Wigan man was quick to recover and save the headed effort by Rafferty as the ball rebounded in the area.

On 78 minutes another double save by tickle denied Pack and Rafferty.

Then on 83 minutes Wigan doubled their lead Sze won a strong header and the through ball found MAGENNIS who held off a defender before firing low past Norris.

Portsmouth produced a quick response and YENGI tapped home from a yard out after Tickle clawed away a looping effort by Pack.

A frantic finish saw tempers flaring and then Sam Tickle produced a fine low diving save from a Myles Peart-Harris header. Then Aasgaard fired into the side netting when presented with a chance to add number three.

Full Time; Portsmouth 1-2 Wigan Athletic

Attendance; 20,202

Scorers; Chambers (22), Magennis (83); Yengi (85);

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

PORTSMOUTH (4-2-3-1) --- Norris; Rafferty, Raggett, Shaughnessy, Ogilvie; Moxon, Pack; Kamara, Saydee, Lang; Bishop; Subs; Sparks, Yengi, Anjorin, Lane, Peart-Harris;

Referee; Mr. Dean Whitestone (Northamptonshire).