Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

31^st August 2024 

LATE WINNER IS TOUGH ON BATTLING LATICS

Ten-man Wigan Athletic hearts were broken after a last-gasp Birmingham City winner in front of 27,136 at St Andrews.

Latics were unchanged following our victory over Crawley Town last weekend. Summer signings Jensen Weir, who returned to the Club on a two-year-deal, made the substitutes bench alongside Dale Taylor who has linked up from Nottingham Forrest on a season-long loan deal.

The home side, who are big favourites for the League One title, had the first effort at goal as Ethan Laird had his shot blocked before Emil Hansson drove a low ball which Tickle did well to save down to his right. Latics settled five minutes in and Matt Smith had a goal-bound effort blocked before Will Aimson came to Latics rescue nipping in front of Alfie May. Joe Hugill nearly caught Bailey Peacock-Farrell in possession, but he did just enough to clear.

Latics were then undone by one of the Birmingham big names as Willum Willumsson found space and he played in MAY, who looked in an offside position. The flag stayed down and he slotted past Tickle.

Aasgaard checked inside from the left but saw his shot deflected straight at Peacock-Farrell, then Tickle denied Hansson as well as the follow up from Willumsson.

A combination of Chambers and Tickle then denied Willumsson again, before Latics best chance of the half fell to Aasgaard when Chambers crossed for Wigans number 10, but his header was palmed away down low by Peacock-Farrell.

Half Time; Birmingham City 1-0 Wigan Athletic.

Latics, started the second half brightly and another Chambers cross found Rankine at the back post. He met the ball first time, but his goal-bound effort was deflected just wide. Half time substitute Steven Sessegnon played in Rankine down the right and he crossed for Aimson, but his header was right at Peacock-Farrell. Rankine was then involved again, but fired straight at Peacock-Farrell then, at the other end, Jason Kerr put his head in the way of a goal-bound Birmingham strike.

Latics finally got a deserved equaliser on 66 minutes. Great play down the right resulted in Matt Smith finding AASGAARD and his shot from the edge of the box squirmed under the legs of Peacock-Farrell. Smith had chance to put us ahead just minutes later, but he dragged his shot wide after lovely build up play down the right flank. Maloney introduced Weir for his second Club debut, whilst Taylor also came on for his first Latics appearance, but amid the flurry of substitutions Latics were dealt a body blow when Sessegnon left the field due to injury and all substitutions had been used.

The home side were looking to make the extra man count as they piled on the pressure in the final five minutes but despite a heroic defensive effort Birmingham snatched it in the 91^st minute as WRIGHT fired into the roof of the net following a goalmouth scramble. Aasgaard had a late, late chance in the dying moments, but his shot was blocked by Christoph Klarer and Birmingham saw out the victory.

Full Time; Birmingham City 2-1 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; May (18), Wright (90+1); Aasgaard (66);

Attendance; 27,136

Teams; WIGAN— (4-2-3-1) Tickle; Carragher, Aimson, Kerr, Chambers; M. Smith, Adeeko; Aasgaard, Thomas, Rankine; Hugill; Subs; McManaman (for Rankine), Taylor (for Hugill), Sessegnon (for Carragher), S. Smith (for M. Smith), Weir (for Adeeko);

BIRMINGHAM CITY— (4-2-3-1) Peacock-Farrell; Laird, Klarer, Bielik, Cochrane; Ho-Paik, Gardner-Hickman; Hansson, Willumsson, Harris; May; Subs; Sampsted (for Laird), Wright (for Harris), Dykes (for May), Yokoyama (for Hansson), Leonard (for Gardner-Hickman);

Referee; Mr. Sunny Singh Gill (London);