Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs CHARLTON ATHLETIC

10^th August 2024 

TOUGH TO TAKE, BUT PLENTY OF POSITIVES.

A Lloyd Jones goal nine minutes from time was the difference as Latics slipped to defeat in their first league match of the new season against a highly fancied Charlton side.

Wigan played some neat football and for long periods had a degree of control but a lack of finishing power and one defensive lapse was to prove costly. Latics featured a number of debutants with Aimson, Hugill and Rankine coming in for their first competitive games. Two returning players Jordan Jones and Luke Chambers also featured.

Wigan began brightly as they passed the ball well and a long ball picked out Hugill who showed good control before firing in a shot on the volley that flew wide of the Charlton goal. At the other end a Ahadme flick took a lucky deflection and presented Docherty with a good chance but Tickle made himself big and was able to make the save at close range.

Matt Smith was involved heavily in midfield and his shot from distance took a deflection that wrong-footed the keeper, but it passed narrowly wide of the target. Latics continued to press and Aasgaard latched onto a poor clearance but his first-time volley was just off target.

Tickle was called upon to produce a spectacular diving punched clearance from a whipped Charlton cross, and with minutes to go to the break Aasgaard hit a dipping free-kick which flew narrowly over the bar.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 0-0 Charlton Athletic.

Wigan had struggled at times in the first half to handle the physical threat of the visitors, but as the game went on they seemed to get to grips with their opponents and Aimson was enjoying a fine debut in Latics colours. On 51 minutes Aasgaard found space on the left and dinked in a nice cross that seemed to be falling to Adeeko at the far post but the midfielder mis-kicked and the ball was scrambled clear.          Then Kayne Ramsay came to the visitors rescue on 58 minutes when he produced a wonderful last- ditch tackle to deny Aasgaard who looked certain to score. Jordan Jones was introduced for a tiring Chris Sze and had an instant impact as he beat his man and crossed deep to the far post but Rankine was just denied getting the vital touch by good alert defending. Tickle was forced into action by Campbell as he saved well from a quick counter attack.            

Then as we entered the last ten minutes of the game a hopeful cross saw substitute Charlie Hughes coming under strong physical pressure and when the weak clearance fell to JONES he swept the ball home before Tickle could react.

Wigan substitute Josh Stones went close as Latics looked to get back onto equal terms, but his header from a deep Chambers cross lacked power and was comfortably saved by Mannion in the Charlton goal.                                                                       

Then in injury time Jones curled a shot beyond Mannion but it was agonisingly just beyond the far post.                                                

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 0-1 Charlton Athletic.

Scorers; Jones (81);

Attendance; 9,564

Teams; WIGAN— (4-2-3-1) Tickle; Sessegnon, Kerr, Aimson, Chambers; M. Smith, Adeeko; Aasgaard, Sze, Rankine; Hugill; Subs; Jones (for Sze), Hughes (for Aimson), Ramsay (for Sessegnon), S. Smith (for M. Smith), Stones (for Hugill);

CHARLTON ATHLETIC— (3-5-2) Mannion; Mitchell, Jones, Gillesphey; Ramsay, Docherty, Coventry, Anderson, Edwards; Ahadme, Campbell; Subs; Aneke (for Ramsay), Watson (for Ahadme), Kanu (for Campbell), Berry (for Docherty);

Referee; Mr Adam Herczeg (Durham)