Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

CAMBRIDGE UNITED vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

19^th October 2024

WOEFUL WIGAN CRASH TO DEFEAT AT THE ABBEY STADIUM.

Wigan Athletic's seven game unbeaten run was ended after a 2-0 defeat to Cambridge United at the Cledara Abbey Stadium.

Latics fell behind inside the first six minutes as Dan Nlundulu's scuffed strike was poked home by Elias Kachunga. It was 2-0 less than 20 minutes later as Korey Smith's effort hit the post and unfortunately for Latics rebounded back off Sam Tickle and into the net. Jubril Okedina struck the woodwork in the second half, but that was as close as any team came to adding to the scoreline.

The Gaffer opted to make four changes from our last league fixture against Stockport County a fortnight ago, with Calvin Ramsay, Scott Smith, Michael Olakigbe and Silko Thomas replacing the injured Luke Chambers and Callum McManaman, whilst Dion Rankine and Thelo Aasgaard dropped to the bench. Summer signing Tyrese Francois made his first appearance in a league matchday squad, alongside U21 star K'Marni Miller who impressed immensely during his professional debut at Carlisle United.

Jason Kerr was caught in possession on the edge of his own box inside the first two minutes, he did well to recover, but that was to set the tone for what was to come in the first half.

Less than three minutes later Latics clean sheet run of seven straight matches was ended. Ryan Loft won the ball off James Carragher, drove into the box and Nlundulu’s miskicked effort was poked home by KACHUNGA to wrong foot Tickle.

Tickle then stopped a certain second after making himself big to deny Okedina’s header from close-blank range. Another injury blow for Latics came just before the 20^th minute mark as Jensen Weir was replaced by Thelo Aasgaard.

Latics hadn’t conceded a goal in over 600 minutes of football, but were two down inside 25 minutes as Smith cut inside and fired a low drive which struck the post before unluckily rebounding back off TICKLE and into the goal.

Ramsay had a big chance to get Latics a route back into the game, but after driving forward from left back he fired just wide from the edge of the box.

Scott Smith was then denied by Vicente Reyes with a curling effort from 20 yards before Aasgaard curled a 25-yard free kick inches wide.

Kachunga nearly made it three after a loose pass from Kerr, but he fired straight at Tickle. Dale Taylor then slipped in behind, but his volleyed effort from a narrow angle was straight at Reyes.

Half Time; Cambridge United 2-0 Wigan Athletic.

Maloney made three instant changes at the break as Rankine and Stones came on as did Miller for his league debut, but it was the U’s who forced the first save of the second half when Smith tested Tickle from distance.

At the right end, Scott Smith found Aasgaard who teed up Stones, but his backheel did not trouble Reyes.

Okedina then struck the bar with a header following a cross from the right before Nlundulu fired wide.

Aasgaard had a deflected effort drift just wide on 72 minutes before Thomas whipped in a dangerous ball, but neither Stones or Taylor could get a telling touch. Latics huffed and puffed, but it wasn't to be their day.

Full Time; Cambridge United 2-0 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; Kachunga (5), Tickle (22, OG);

Attendance; 7,000

Teams; WIGAN— (4-1-4-1) Tickle; Ramsay, Kerr, Aimson, Carragher; M. Smith; Olakigbe, Weir, S. Smith, Thomas; Taylor;

Subs: Rankine (for Olakigbe), Aasgaard (for Weir), Watson, Sibbick, Stones (for Carragher), Francois (for M.Smith), Miller (for Ramsay);

CAMBRIDGE UNITED— (3-4-3) Reyes; Okedina, Morrison, Andrew; Digby, Bennett, Smith, Brophy; Loft, N’lundulu, Kachunga;

Subs: Watts, Kaikai (for N’lundulu), Rossi, Cousins (for Kachunga), Gibbons (for Brophy), Njoku (for Loft), Longelo

Referee; Mr Ruebyn Ricardo (Leicestershire)