Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

LINCOLN CITY vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

21^st September 2024 

TOP DEFENSIVE DISPLAY EARNS A VALUABLE POINT

Wigan Athletic played out a hard-fought goalless draw against playoff chasing Lincoln City in the early kick off at the LNER Stadium.

A very even contest saw both defences performing well to ensure that the spoils were shared. The best chance of the game fell to Thelo Aasgaard on 74 minutes, but his header struck the outside of the post. Latics though have now kept a second consecutive clean sheet in away games and will be reasonably happy with a point on the road.

Latics were unchanged following our impressive 4-0 victory over Bristol Rovers in our last away outing and in the early stages they picked up where they left off in Bristol with a confident start as they passed the ball well as Lincoln tried to press. Aasgaard clipped a lovely ball in behind for Joe Hugill, who took a touch before striking wide on the turn. The home side seemed determined to be very direct and Kerr, Aimson and Carragher were outstanding as they coped admirably with a string of long balls into the box.

Shaun Maloney’s men looked dangerous on the counter attack and 20 minutes in the lively Luke Chambers crossed towards Hugill, but home stopper Zach Jeacock got a hand to the ball before it could reach the number nine.

Aasgaard then fired a 25-yard free kick straight at Jeacock, before former Tics captain Tendayi Darikwa poked an effort into the arms of Sam Tickle.

Dion Rankine came alive six minutes before the break with a brilliant bit of skill as he nutmegged the defender before his close range snap shot was deflected into the hands of the grateful goalkeeper.

Half Time; Lincoln City 0-0 Wigan Athletic.

Lincoln doubled down on the direct approach after the break and it nearly paid dividends when Adam Jackson’s header seven minutes into the second half drew a fine stretching save from Tickle who managed to divert the ball away from the other Imps forwards and to safety.

Maloney made a double change just short of the hour mark with McManaman and Taylor introduced, but it was the hosts who threatened next as another cross-hit shot from the left was palmed away by Tickle.

Latics then had the best chance of the game and it fell to Aasgaard who struck the outside of the post after meeting James Carragher’s deep cross at the back post in the 74^th minute.

Defences continued to dominate and the superb Will Aimson came to Latics rescue in added time as he threw himself in front of a Lincoln shot inside the box to ensure that both sides shared the spoils.

Full Time; Lincoln City 0-0 Wigan Athletic.

Attendance: 8,534

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

LINCOLN CITY— (3-1-4-2) Jeacock; Jackson, O Connor, Roughan; Erhahon; Darikwa, Bayliss, McGrandles, Jeffries; House, Cadamarteri; Subs; -- McKiernan (for McGrandles), Ring (for Jeffries), Makama (for Cadamarteri), Moylan (for Bayliss);

Referee; Mr Craig Hicks (Surrey)