Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

WYCOMBE WANDERERS vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

22^nd February 2025

WIGAN PROVE A TOUGH NUT TO CRACK FOR HIGH-FLYING CHAIRBOYS.

Wigan Athletic picked up a valuable point on the road against high-flying Wycombe Wanderers after a hard-fought goalless draw at Adams Park.

Latics restricted the hosts to just two shots on target all game with Sam Tickle and his defence staying solid. The Tics didn't create too many clear-cut openings, but will be happy with a point on the road against the second placed side.

Maloney opted to name an unchanged side from the midweek draw at Crawley Town, with Luke Robinson returning to the matchday squad.

A free kick from the left after just two minutes resulted in a header back across goal finding Caleb Taylor who was denied brilliantly by Tickle from close range, with the effort being turned over the crossbar.

Wycombe had been quick out of the blocks and Latics were subjected to significant early pressure with Josh Scowen shaving the top of the crossbar with a rasping volley from wide left.

The in-form home side who are unbeaten in their last 17 league games played on a Saturday and that confidence was clear to see as they moved the ball well and probed for the opening goal.

Latics grew into the first half and they finally found some passing rhythm of their own without creating too many clear goal scoring opportunities. Joe Hungbo was again looking sharp down the right as was Owen Dale down the left.

With half time approaching Dale Taylor was played in, but he was denied a clear run at goal by muscular defending.

Half Time; Wycombe Wanderers 0-0 Wigan Athletic.

There was visibly more urgency from Maloney’s men early in the second half, but the first serious goal attempt of the second half came on 52 minutes as Cameron Humphreys drove a low shot towards goal, which Tickle did well to divert away with his legs. Latics responded with Dale stinging the hands of Will Norris with a deflected shot at goal.

Substitute Onyedinma was slipped in behind the Latics defence with a clever through ball, but Tickle was quick off his line to block his shot as we approached the final 15 minutes of a tight encounter.

The Wycombe side were clearly frustrated with Wigan clearly taking every opportunity to run down the clock, but Latics still carried a threat on the break with Jonny Smith and Dale using their pace to stretch the home defence.

New midfielder Darcy looked particularly impressive as he displayed his range of passing.

When Latics pushed for a late winner they were nearly caught on the counter attack as Onyedinma broke forward, but fired inches wide of Tickle's far post.

Full Time; Wycombe Wanderers 0-0 Wigan Athletic.

Attendance; 5,445

Teams; WIGAN— (4-1-4-1) Tickle; Sibbick, Aimson, Kerr, Mellish; Norburn; Darcy, Weir, Dale, Hungbo; Taylor; Subs: --- Watson, Adeeko (for Norburn), Sessegnon, J. Smith (for Hungbo), McManaman, S. Smith (for Weir), L. Robinson (for Mellish);

WYCOMBE WANDERERS-- (4-2-3-1) Norris; Harvie, Taylor, Low, Pattenden; Simons, Scowen; Lubala, Humphreys, McCleary; Udoh; Subs: --- Ravizzoli, Leahy (for Scowen), Kodua (for McCleary), Kone (for Udoh), Bradley, Onyedinma (for Lubala), Lowry (for Humphreys);

Referee; Mr Leigh Doughty (Blackpool).