Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

14th September 2024

BRISTOL ROVERS vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

WIGAN CASH IN ON SLOPPY ROVERS DEFENDING TO RECORD BIG WIN

Wigan Athletic picked up our first away win of the season in emphatic fashion after a hugely impressive 4-0 away victory over Bristol Rovers.Joe Hugill scored two goals from corners to get off the mark for Latics in Sky Bet League One, whilst Thelo Aasgaard capitalised from a goalkeeping error to bag his second of the season, before Luke Chambers fired in a free kick from range to top off a fantastic afternoon. Jensen Weir was in for his first Latics start in an otherwise unchanged XI following the narrow defeat to Birmingham.

Latics had to live through some early hosts' pressure before the impressive Weir broke free down the middle and fed Dion Rankine, but his effort was well saved. It didn’t take long for Shaun Maloney’s side to open their account as after Weir’s initial shot was nudged wide, Latics were awarded a corner. A deep cross saw Kerr winning the header and the ensuing scramble inside the box opened space for HUGILL, giving him chance to tap the ball into the net for his first league goal of the season.

Latics continued to press and continued to get into promising positions and trouble the Rovers defence. James Carragher came close to getting his name on the scoresheet with a blinding strike that the Rovers goalkeeper struggled to get a glove to. The Tics did double our lead just before half-time thanks to another well-worked corner. Like magic, Chambers’ curled cross pierced the Rovers defence and again the loose ball fell to HUGILL, whose first effort was blocked, but in typical number nine fashion the Manchester United Loanee cushioned the ball and once again fired into the corner to put Latics 2-0 up.  Aasgaard almost tripled the lead moments later when he burst free with just the goalkeeper to beat. The Rovers stopper saved from our Norweigen and the all-action Weir was there again to follow up, but inexplicably fired the rebound over the crossbar.

Half Time; Bristol Rovers 0-2 Wigan Athletic.

Wigan were on the front foot from the off in the second 45, working the ball through the opposition and finding the net almost instantly. A low Silko Thomas’ cross was fumbled by the keeper and AASGAARD was on hand to calmly slot the ball into an empty net. With three goals in 50 minutes, it felt predestined that Latics wouldn’t stop there. Maloney’s men looked confident on and off the ball and were hungry to increase the tally. There were individual moments of beauty, including an artistic backheel from substitute Malaece Asamoah Jr, showcasing the talent of this young Wigan side, and Bristol Rovers rarely threatened to find a way back into the game wit Tickle largely playing the role of spectator. An arrogant CHAMBERS free kick gave Latics their fourth. The defender took the goalkeeper by surprise as he curled the ball around the defence and into the near corner from 25-yards out.

In the 84th minute, Bristol Rovers’ Taylor Moore was needlessly, and rather harshly sent off after putting his head towards Asamoah Jr. Moore’s outburst being more out of frustration than aggression.Since arriving on the pitch, Asamoah Jr had been a thorn in the opposition’s side, using his fast feet to round the defence and create chances in the final third.

In the dying embers, each successful Latics pass was punctuated with a cheer from the travelling fans and as the final whistle sounded, Maloney and his team headed straight to the cohort of Tics, applauding them for their unwavering support throughout. Latics will hope to build on this impressive win back on the road against Lincoln City.

Full Time;  Bristol Rovers 0-4 Wigan Athletic

Scorers; Hugill (20), (40), Aasgaard (50), Chambers (71);

Attendance; 7,925

Referee; Mr Scott Jackson