Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs PETERBOROUGH UNITED

1^st October 2024 

AND JUST LIKE THAT……THE GOOD TIMES RETURN.

Dale Taylor's double and Callum McManaman's second half wonder strike rewards Latics with an impressive three points.

Dale Taylor's first two goals for Latics was added to by a glorious Callum McManaman strike.

Wigan Athletic produced a wonderful team performance after a 3-0 victory over a dangerous Peterborough United side on Tuesday evening.

Shaun Maloney gave a full league debut to Michael Olakigbe. Baba Adeeko came into the midfield, whilst Calvin Ramsay got a start at right back with James Carragher dropping to the bench. Joe Hugill missed out due to an ankle injury sustained against Exeter City.

Latics first goal in four games came on 11 minutes as Luke Chambers raced down the left to pick up a pass from Silko Thomas and crossed for TAYLOR to leap highest at the near post and nod us in front. The Posh had a big chance to level the game minutes later, but Tickle came to Latics rescue with a huge save to deny Poku from point blank range after Ricky-Jade Jones had found space in behind the Wigan defences.

The visitors then struck the woodwork through Collins as his cross to the back post cannoned against the crossbar.

Poku had a free-kick deflected over the crossbar as Darren Ferguson’s men looked dangerous on the counter attack. Malik Mothersille then had a big chance 10 minutes before the break, but he put Puku’s cross wide of Tickle’s right past.

Olakigbe won the ball high up the field from Sam Curtis, but dragged his shot just wide as Latics led at the interval after an end-to-end first half.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 1-0 Peterborough United.

Peterborough had looked dangerous in the first half and a tough 45 minutes looked to be ahead but Latics and TAYLOR got the perfect start to the second half as a wonderful Matt Smith through ball found the Northern Irishman clean through on goal and he calmly slotted into the corner for his and Latics second.

The Posh continued to push for a route back into the game, but Tickle was not to be denied another clean sheet as he was in typically inspired form.

Latics were not done either as fresh legs were introduced, one of which was the returning Jonny Smith who looked his lively self and had a shot deflected just wide.

But it was to be another Latics substitute who grabbed the third and put the game to bed in wonderful style as MCMANAMAN picked the ball up on the left wing, and rolled back the years as he checked inside and curled a peach into the top corner from 25 yards. Brilliant.

Tickle was in unbeatable form and he secured the clean sheet late on with another save as Latics now head to Stockport County on the back of a morale boosting victory.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 3-0 Peterborough United.

Scorers; Taylor (11), (49), McManaman (81);

Attendance: 7,894

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

PETERBOROUGH UNITED— (4-2-3-1) Steer; Dornelly, Fernandez, Nevett, Curtis; Kyprianou, Collins; Poku, O’Brien-Brady, Mothersille; Jones; Subs; --- Hayes (for Kyprianou), Sparkes (for Curtis), Ajiboye (for Dornelly), Odoh (for Jones);

Referee; Mr Andy Davies (Hampshire)