Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

BOLTON WANDERERS vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

14^th December 2024

DERBY DAY WONDERS------LATICS TURN ON THE STYLE.

The vast majority of the Wigan fans would have travelled to Horwich ‘hoping for the best’, but with form very much in favour of the Bolton side, ‘fearing the worst’.

Wigan Athletic took home the bragging rights yet again after a hugely impressive 2-0 away victory.

Maloney made three changes from the last league outing against Leyton Orient, with Matt Smith, Jonny Smith and Aasgaard coming into the starting line-up in place of Scott Smith, Dion Rankine (injured), and Jensen Weir. 

Latics, roared on by a passionate away support started well with a number of early crosses into the box causing panic in the home defence.

One of those moves down the right saw Jonny Smith combine with Sibbick but his low cross was just behind the arriving Taylor. Then a free-kick from the right then found Jason Kerr at the back post, he nodded back into the mix for Sibbick who directed his header past the post.

Wigan took a deserved lead on 18 minutes as Aasgaard did brilliantly on half way to turn his man and feed TAYLOR on the right. The Forest loanee checked inside and fired back across goal into the corner. Latics had a big chance to double the lead four minutes later as a cross from the left from Silko Thomas saw Taylor inches away from connecting as the ball drifted narrowly wide. Sessegnon then had a shot saved before Aasgaard was denied with a header from point-blank range and Adeeko should have really converted the rebound but failed to connect properly with his shot.

It was a near perfect half of football from Latics, with the only negative the fact we were not more than a goal ahead.

Half Time; Bolton Wanderers 0-1 Wigan Athletic.

The hosts came out for the second half with a point to prove and Sam Tickle was called into action, clutching Jordi Osei-Tutu's strike at the second attempt. The pressure continued to build and a goal-mouth scramble followed but Will Aimson came up with a vital tackle on 55 minutes to block an effort at goal and repel the danger.

Latics then had a big chance of their own. A corner from the right found the head of Kerr at the back post, he headed across goal for Sibbick who couldn’t connect and as the ball was partially cleared Aasgaard took the ball down and volleyed in an effort from the edge of the box straight at Baxter.

Finally, midway through the second half Latics got the second goal that their overall performance richly deserved as AASGAARD controlled substitute James Carragher's cross into the box, the Norwegian turned to leave George Johnston flat footed before sliding the ball calmly past the static Baxter and sending the travelling fans into a frenzy behind that goal.

Bolton looked to respond as Aaron Collins fired wide before Kerr came up with a big challenge to preserve the clean sheet. Tickle was rarely troubled and Latics yet again claimed the bragging rights after a wonderful team performance.

Full Time; Bolton Wanderers 0-2 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; Taylor (18), Aasgaard (67);

Attendance; 24,448

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

BOLTON WANDERERS--- (3-4-1-2) Baxter; Jones, Santos, Johnson; Osei-Tutu, Matate, Thomason, Schon; McAtee, Adeboyejo, Charles; Subs: --- Dacres-Cogley (for Osei Tutu), Forrester, Lolos (for Matete), Collins (for Adeboyejo), Southwood, Williams (for Schon), Sharples-Ahmed;

Referee; Mr Adam Herczeg (Durham).