Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

READING vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

17^th August 2024 

CLASSY ROYALS OUTSHINE A LACK LUSTRE LATICS.

Wigans first away outing was a trip to Berkshire to take on a Reading side buoyed by their recent takeover. Reading had started the season with a well-earned point at promotion favourites Birmingham City and the confidence gained was evident as they grabbed the initiative straight from the kick off.

Tickle was soon in action as he parried away a fierce shot from Ehibatiomhan after the wide striker had cut inside Sessegnon and unleashed his effort from the edge of the box. Reading continued to pour forward and deep cross saw the same striker out muscle the Latics full back before pulling back the perfect ball to SAVAGE who slotted home the opener.

Latics were visibly shaken by the rampant home side and a second goal seemed inevitable as they dominated proceedings. A close-range header by Bindon saw Tickle produce a stunning stop when the rebound fell for Dorsett it was Joe Hugill who was on hand to block the goal-bound effort on the line.

Gradually Wigan began to stem the tide and on 15 minutes a ball over the Reading defence was collected by Hugill, he outpaced the defence but from a tight angle his well struck shot was easily saved. The possession may have evened out but it was still the hosts that were creating the chances. First a deep cross found Smith, who had ghosted in behind Chambers, and the striker blazed his effort over the bar, then Camara fired a shot from 20 yards that flew just beyond the far post. Then the ever-dangerous Ehibatiomhan curled an effort just wide after the high press by Reading had seen Latics cough up possession deep in their half. When the half time whistle blew Latics were probably happy that the game was still not beyond them and they had the chance to reorganise at the break.

Half Time; Reading 1-0 Wigan Athletic.

The second period began with Wigan looking much more positive and Reading were forced to defend as finally Latics began to threaten. Then on 57 minutes a lapse in defence saw a simple threaded pass from midfield finding Smith clear on goal, Tickle saved brilliantly at the forwards feet but the ball bounced free to the unmarked EHIBATIOMHAN who fired into the unguarded goal to double the lead. Latics claimed for offside but in replays it was clear that Sessegnon had dropped deep and played Smith onside.

Maloney made some changes and the introduction of Jones and McManaman added some pace and directness to the Wigan attack as they tried to force their way back into the game and it was Jones who finally forced a decent save from Pereira in the home goal when he checked inside before firing in a fierce effort that the keeper did well to turn over the bar as he dove to his left. Wigan continued to huff and puff and from a corner Kerr went close and when the rebound fell to McManaman he saw his snap shot cleared off the line.

At the other end Tickle saved well from Femi Azeez as he dived low to push an effort away, then in added time the same player flashed a shot narrowly wide.

Full Time; Reading 2-0 Wigan Athletic

Scorers; Savage (7); Ehibatiomhan (57);

Attendance; 12,689

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

BARNSLEY— (4-3-3) Pereira; Craig, Mbengue, Bindon, Dorsett; Elliott, Wing, Savage; Ehibatiomhan, Smith, Camara; Subs; Azeez (for Ehibatiomhan), Abrefa (for Camara), Wareham (for Smith), Garcia (for Dorsett);

Referee; Mr. J. Smith (Peterborough).

The post-match reactions saw fans and manager delivering fairly damming verdicts and the early league table certainly does not make happy reading for Wigan fans. The one consolation is that we are only two games into a long season and as the saying goes, “It’s a marathon not a sprint. “