Report by SJG

F. A. CUP

YORK CITY vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

1^st December 2023

INTO THE HAT FOR THE THIRD ROUND.

The temperature at pitch side was minus 4, and the ground was shrouded in a heavy mist that would probably have seen the game cancelled if it was not for the T. V. cameras. Wigan named an unchanged starting XI and both sides went in search of an early goal. Burgess looked lively for the hosts and Humphrys tried his luck from distance following a neat free-kick routine.

Latty-Fairweather showed a good turn of pace for the Minstermen but as he jinked into the area Tickle raced from his line to smother any danger.

Hughes had to be strong to clear a dangerous ball at the back post after good work from Fallowfield, and Jon-Lewis who was trying to get on the end of the cross was left frustrated.

Wigan were dominating possession but it was not until Lang pounced on a loose ball that they really threatened. Lang fed in Godo who fired in a low effort that Stockdale did well to save.  Shortly after that incident Humphrys produced some good close control and slipped past two markers before Stockdale, again, diffused any danger by coming from his line to save well.

Half Time; York City 0-0 Wigan Athletic.

Humphrys was at the centre of nearly everything that Wigan were putting together and ten minutes into the second half amid the gathering fog (which seemed to be worsening by the minute), he checked inside and unleashed a curling effort that was only narrowly wide. Lang then found space in the centre, but his shot from 20-yards was too high. Just after the hour mark Wigan took the lead, a long ball up field was misjudged by the defence and HUMPHRYS was able to out muscle his marker, before breaking away, rounding the keeper and sliding home.

Wigan now began to dominate, and when Godo and Smith linked up the former was able to fire in an effort but it was too high and passed over the bar. York kept battling and on 77 minutes, from a corner, a flick header by Cordner allowed Dyson to shoot narrowly wide with Tickle scrambling.

Then on the 85^th minute substitute Kouhyar muscled his way into the box but Tickle palmed his effort over the bar.

Humphrys had a fierce strike blocked, then McManaman went close to sealing it with a good curling effort that extended Stockdale in the York goal.

Then deep in injury time a mass York attack nearly bore fruit, but Wigan defenders just managed to hold firm as John-Lewis screwed a shot wide of the post when he probably should have levelled.

It was no classic, but Latics proceed to the third round and a potential glamour tie against the big boys of the Premiership.

Full Time; York City 0-1 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; Humphrys (61);

Attendance; 6,613

Team; WIGAN---(4-2-3-1); Tickle; Hughes, Rekik, Pearce, Clare; Adeeko, S. Smith; Jones, Godo, Lang; Humphrys; Subs; McHugh, McManaman, Shaw, Magennis, J. Smith;

YORK CITY---(5-3-2); Stockdale; Fallowfield, Howe, Cordner, Daley, Latty-Fairweather; Dyson Woodyard, McLaughlin; Burgess, John-Lewis; Subs; Kouhyar, Siziba;

Referee; Mr Thomas Kirk (Manchester).

The draw for the third round took place on the Monday and Latics pulled a glamour tie as they were selected to play at home against Premiership giants Manchester United. A full house can be expected and a cracking atmosphere as well as a few £’s in the till.