Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

BARNSLEY vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

23^rd November 2024

LATICS WHIP UP A STORM AT OAKWELL.

Wigan Athletic picked up a hard fought, but thoroughly deserved 1-0 away victory at playoff chasing Barnsley in horrendous conditions at Oakwell.

Latics were on top in the first half and got the goal the performance deserved as Thelo. Aasgaard headed home Silko Thomas' left wing cross. The Tics then defended resiliently in the second half as Will Aimson came up with two huge blocks to secure three vital points on the road.

Maloney made four changes to the starting XI following the last league outing against table-toppers Wycombe, with Steven Sessegnon, Baba Adeeko, Dion Rankine and Dale Taylor coming into the starting line-up at Oakwell replacing Luke Robinson, Matt Smith, Scott Smith and Jonny Smith.

Former Latics man Stephen Humphrys started for the home side, whilst former Latics Academy graduate Sam Cosgrove was named on the Barnsley bench.

Wigan came closest to opening the scoring inside the first eight minutes as Taylor leaped highest to win the areal duel and flick on for Silko Thomas. He checked inside and curled an effort just inches wide of the far post. Latics had the better of the opening half hour with both wingers causing issues down the flanks with the home crowd visibly frustrated.

A Tyrese Francois free-kick from the left found the impressive Toby Sibbick at the back post, but his cut-back fell into the hands of Ben Killip.

Latics did get the goal that their football deserved as the lively Thomas beat his man down the left and crossed perfectly for AASGAARD who rose highest to head home from close-range.

There was a blow for Latics on the stroke of half time as Francois hobbled off after a solid challenge from Humphrys and he was replaced by Scott Smith.

Half Time; Barnsley 0-1 Wigan Athletic.

Latics came out for the second half in determined fashion with Aasgaard firing just over from the edge of the box. Barnsley rang the changes and had a half chance to get back level as Davis Keillor-Dunn got the goal side of Toby Sibbick, but his dinked effort was safely collected by Tickle.

Aasgaard then fired over again before Marc Roberts was denied by a brilliant Aimson block. Aimson somehow then blocked Donovan Pines effort on the line which looked destined to find the net.

The hosts pushed for a leveller with substitute and former Tic Sam Cosgrove having a header easily saved by Tickle.

Nine added minutes were played as Roberts headed wide a Barnsley corner, before Fabio Jalo curled an effort straight at the Wigan keeper. Aimson once again blocked a goal-bound Barnsley effort as Latics stood firm for a huge three points.

Final Score; Barnsley 0-1 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; Aasgaard (42);

Attendance; 11,438

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

BARNSLEY --- (3-5-2) Killip; Earl, Roberts, De Gevigney; Gent, Russell, Connell, Phillips, O’Keefe; Humphrys, Kellor-Dunn; Subs: --- Smith, Craig, Jalo (for Phillips), Pines (for Gent), Cosgrove (for O’Keefe), Nwakali (for Russell), Lofthouse (for Connell);

Referee; Mr. Tom Reeves (Coventry)