Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs BRISTOL ROVERS

27^th April 2024.

WIGAN TURN UP THE GAS TO FINISH ON A HIGH NOTE.

Latics ended the season on a high-note with a fine performance against a Bristol side who had beaten them comprehensively in the reverse fixture earlier in the season.

The Rovers was at full stretch right from the start as Wigan looked for a fast start. It was only thirty seconds in when a cross from Magennis found Chambers who brought a smart save from Ward in the Bristol goal.

On four minutes another flowing move saw Magennis feed Jonny Smith and his cross picked out Adeeko who was thwarted by good handling from Ward.

A rare Rovers corner saw Baggott head over the Latics crossbar but play quickly returned to the other end and Aasgaard brought another good save from Ward when he got on the end of a well delivered cross by Hughes. Ex-Latics man Scott Sinclair saw a shot deflect wide off Morrison but then on 30 minutes the opening goal arrived. The lively Chambers found space on the left and his low cross was turned home from close-range by MAGENNIS.

Latics continued to control much of the proceedings but they could not add to their lead before the break.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 1-0 Bristol Rovers.

It was only three minutes after the break when the influential Adeeko found Jonny SMITH wide on the right, he checked inside and curled home another picture-perfect goal from fully 30 yards.

Maloney made a number of changes but Wigan continued to dominate and when Sze fed Chambers into space he squared for Magennis to slot home, only for the linesman’s flag to stop the celebrations.

Aasgaard saw a thirty-yard free-kick well saved by Ward and then on 80 minutes it was the young Norwegian who went close again with a snap shot that dipped just over the bar. Kelman fed Godo through on goal but his effort was athletically cleared off the line by the Rovers defence.

In injury time Sze fired narrowly wide as Latics continued to completely dominate with the visitors failing to register a shot on target.

Latics had produced a nearly faultless display to end what had been a tough season on the highest of notes.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 2-0 Bristol Rovers

Attendance; 14,077

Scorers; Magennis (30), J. Smith (48);

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

BRISTOL ROVERS (4-2-3-1) --- Ward; Hoole, Wilson, Baggott, Vale; Rossiter, Evans; Thomas, Sinclair, Aguilera-Zamora; Brown; Subs; Connolly, Conteh, McCormack, Shaw, Vaughan;

Referee; Mr. Mark Edwards (Tyne and Wear).