Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

3^rd December 2024

IN-FORM TERRIERS EDGE OUT LATICS IN HARD FOUGHT GAME.

In-form Huddersfield proved too strong for Shaun Maloney’s Latics as they secured a narrow 1-0 win to help their promotion charge.

Wigan Athletics’ own three game winning run came to an end in front of the Sky Sports cameras at the John Smith's Stadium.

The manager shuffled his pack after the extra time victory in Cambridge, making five changes to the matchday squad, with Luke Robinson, Matt Smith, Jensen Weir, Asamoah Jr and Jonny Smith all coming in from the start.

It was a tight first half with both sides drawing saves from their respective goalkeepers.

Josh Koroma had the first sight at goal, but his effort was easily caught by Tickle. Latics responded on 14 minutes as in-form Jonny Smith checked in from the right and forced a save from Jacob Chapman. Asamoah Jr latched onto the rebound but he fired wide from a tight angle. Ben Wiles then rattled the outside of the post with a 20-yard in-swinging free-kick for the hosts before Koroma sent a curled effort over Tickle’s crossbar.

Jonny Smith was looking lively for the Tics and he curled a wicked corner towards goal which was close to finding the far corner and then at the other end Wiles tested Tickle with a well struck effort from just inside the box. Latics nearly netted when just before the break Aasgaard was picked out by a Matt Smith pass, the Norwegian brought the ball down well and hit a half volley which was touched around the post by Chapman.

Half Time; Huddersfield Town 0-0 Wigan Athletic.

The hosts took the lead on 53 minutes as a corner was played short and switched to the far side where a cross from David Kasumu found TURTON who finished past Tickle inside his near post. The hosts continued to press and Josh Ruffells tested Tickle from distance with a 25-yard effort which the England U21 international pushed around the post.

Maloney introduced a number of substitutes as he tried to get back into the game, but it was the Terriers who had the ball in the net following another corner, but there was a foul in the build-up and Latics were given a reprieve. Tickle was again tested as he punched a Huddersfield effort at goal away before Wiles went down in the box, but the referee rightly waved away the protests.

Latics threw men forward as they pushed for a late leveller and substitute Chris Sze fired over before fellow substitute Callum McManaman had a late chance, but it wasn't meant to be and Huddersfield secured the points.

Full Time; Huddersfield Town 1-0 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; Turton (53);

Attendance; 17,036

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

HUDDERSFIELD--- (3-5-2) Chapman; Lonwijk, Helik, Lees; Koroma, Kane, Kosumu, Wiles, Turton; Ward, Marshall; Subs: --- Maxwell, Ruffells (for Ward), Lapado (for Marshall), Hogg (for Kane), Pearson, Radulovic, Spencer;

Referee; Mr. Scott Oldham (Blackpool).

Latics now lie in 16^th place in the table, two points above the relegation places and ten points adrift of the final play-off spot.