Report by SJG

B.S.M. TROPHY

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs MORECAMBE

3^rd September 2024

POSSESSION ……BUT NO CUTTING EDGE

Wigan went into this game with several players away on international duty, and a much-changed line up took the field for this opening round robin tie in the Bristol Street Motors trophy match. Shaun Maloney made seven changes from Latics’ trip to St Andrew's, with Tom Watson making his first-team debut between the sticks and Kai Payne coming into the side to make his first senior Latics start. It was also a proud day for McManaman who captained the side for the first time.

Latics dominated the possession and after a bright start Will Aimson picked the ball up and switched the ball out wide right to McManaman with a long diagonal for him to have a run at the Morecambe defence before squaring to James Carragher but the close-range effort was blocked.

Then moments later McManaman tried his luck from distance and his powerful effort was so nearly fumbled into his own goal by goalkeeper Harry Burgoyne.

Against the run of play, on the counter attack, a cross from the right from Ben Tollitt was met on the volley by MACADAM who beat Watson for Morecambe’s first goal of the season.

Josh Stones looked sharp up front before McManaman so nearly curled a cross into the far post. The visitors then had a big chance to double their lead on the counter attack, but Kayden Harrack saw his drive fly over the crossbar.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 0-1 Morecambe.

Maloney handed a debut to Asamoah Jr at half time and he looked sharp down the left and he checked inside before firing a low drive at goalkeeper Burgoyne, who got down well to make the save.

Hugill, on for Stones, was then denied by the goalkeeper after a neat Matt Smith ball in behind the Shrimps back line.

Latics continued to push forward and when James Carragher found himself in the box he was brought down by a Shrimps defender. The referee pointed to the spot and HUGILL made no mistake bagging his first Latics professional goal with a tidy finish in the corner.

With Wigan having over 80% of possession it seemed likely that they would now go on to win the tie, but just two minutes after the restart an unfortunate slip from Sibbick allowed ANGOL to pick the ball up in the box and fire past Watson who did get a hand on it, but could not quite push the effort past the post.

Jack Reilly came on for his Latics first team debut late on before Scott Smith fired a fierce effort straight at Burgoyne and despite their best efforts the young Latics side, who continued to push forward and dominate the possession, could not find the leveller.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 1-2 Morecambe.

Scorers; Hugill (63, pen); McAdam (12), Angol (65);

Attendance; 1,702

Teams; WIGAN— (4-3-3) Watson; Carragher, Aimson, Sibbick, McHugh; M. Smith, S. Smith, Payne; Thomas, McManaman, Stones; Subs; -- Lonergan, Kerr, Reilly (for McHugh), Rankine (for Carragher), Sze (for Payne), Asamoah (for Thomas), Hugill (for Stones);

MORECAMBE— (4-2-3-1) Burgoyne; Lewis, Taylor, Scott, McAdam; Slew, Harrock, Lewis; Tollitt, Millen; Angol; Subs; -- Moore, Hendrie, Hope, Brown, Tutonda, Jones, Fairclough;

Referee; Mr. Jacob Miles (Sussex);

A home defeat against the side sat 92^nd in the Football League and without a goal all season, was certainly not going to be well received and manager Maloney was understandably critical of his side who failed to turn possession into goals. The only consolation is that two wins in the remaining group games will still see Latics progress to the knock-out phase.