Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs WYCOMBE WANDERERS

9^th November 2024

LUCK DESERTS LATICS AS HIGH FLYING CHAIRBOYS GRAB POINTS.

Shaun Maloney made four changes following Saturday's Emirates FA Cup triumph, with Will Aimson, Scott Smith, Jonny Smith and Silko Thomas all coming into the starting line-up.

New signing Paul Dummett took his place on the bench.

After an impeccably observed minutes silence from all around the Brick Community Stadium to mark Remembrance Weekend, we got the game underway.

It was a pretty even start, Wigan had more of the ball but Wycombe, who were high on confidence after thumping Stockport at Edgeley Park 5-0 during the week, were quick to close down the Latics players and the visitors went ahead from a set piece. A corner from the right was met by LOW who headed powerfully past Tickle.

Latics looked to respond from a corner of their own as the ball found its way through to captain Kerr at the back post, but he scuffed his effort wide.

Aasgaard, who was leading the line in an unfamiliar centre forward role, tried his luck from distance, but his 30-yard free kick was straight into the arms of keeper Ravizzoli.

Tickle then came to Latics rescue on 34 minutes after Dan Udoh crept in behind the back line and fired a fierce effort which looked like it might find the near corner, but ‘Super Sam’ pushed the ball wide.

Latics then went within inches from a leveller as Jonny Smith curled a delightful effort against the crossbar from the right edge of the box with Ravizzoli beaten.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 0-1 Wycombe Wanderers.

Matt Smith was replaced by Dale Taylor at the break as Latics looked to get back in the game and the substitute should have had us level. A cross from the left from Thomas found Taylor three yards out but after stretching for the ball, he could only divert the ball over the crossbar.

Thomas then had a chance of his own on 69 minutes as the ball found its way to him at the back post, he cut back inside, but was denied by the goalkeeper who dived to his left to save.

Aasgaard was then somehow denied by Ravizzoli from point-blank range after a Toby Sibbick cross from the right. The goalkeeper somehow denied Aasgaard again moments later with another big save following another header from our number 10 and Latics could count themselves unfortunate not to be at least level.

It was all Latics in the last 10 minutes of the game, as they continued to push for a late leveller.

Aasgaard had a deflected effort fly just over before Tickle denied Brandon Hanlan one-on-one as Wycombe looked to secure the game on the counter attack.

Latics can count themselves unfortunate not to at least secure a point, but Shaun Maloney’s men must now dust themselves off and regroup ready for the next game.

Final Score; Wigan Athletic 0-1 Wycombe Wanderers.

Scorers; Low (11);

Attendance; 8,958

Teams; WIGAN— (4-2-3-1) Tickle; Sibbick, Kerr, Aimson, Robinson; M. Smith, Francois; S. Smith, Thomas, J. Smith; Aasgaard; Subs: --- Weir (for S. Smith), Rankine (for Thomas), Taylor (for M. Smith), Watson, Carragher, Asamoah (for J. Smith), Dummett (for Robinson);

WYCOMBE --- (4-2-3-1) Ravizzoli; Pattenden, Low, Taylor, Harvie; Morley, Scowen; Onyedinma, Humphreys, Udoh, Kone; Subs: --- Grimmer (for Humphries), Wheeler (for Udoh), Butcher, Leahy (for Scowen), Hanlan (for Onyedinma), George, Lubala (for Kone); 

Referee; Mr. Robert Madley (West Yorkshire).