Report by SJG

B.S.M. TROPHY

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs NOTTS FOREST U21

12^th November 2024

LATICS QUALIFY AFTER A SPOT OF BOTHER.

Wigan Athletic made it through to the knockout stages of the Bristol Street Motors Trophy after a 3-0 penalty shoot-out victory over Nottingham Forest U21s following a goalless draw at the end of the regular 90 minutes. 

A much-changed Latics huffed and puffed throughout the 90 minutes as the game ended goalless.

The game went straight to penalties to decide who progressed out of the group and Tom Watson was the hero, saving all three Forest U21 penalties to send Latics through to the knockout stages.
Manager Shaun Maloney shuffled his pack after Saturday's league encounter making eight changes in total. Watson got a start in goal, whilst James Carragher, Baba Adeeko, Dion Rankine, Malaece Asamoah Jr and Joe Hugill were all included from the start. Paul Dummett also made his first Latics start following his short-term move, whilst Kai Payne was straight into the side after he returned from his loan spell with Oldham Athletic. Will Aimson, who has regularly impressed since his move from Exeter City, captained the side.

Latics started on the front foot, but it was the visitors who had the first real attempt at goal as Adam Berry’s long-range effort saw Watson called into action as he acrobatically diverted the ball over his crossbar.

Rankine then had a shot blocked from the edge of the box following a Latics corner. Latics then had a big chance to go ahead as Hugill capitalised on a slip in the Forest defence. He managed to slip the ball past the goalkeeper, but Finley Back was there to clear the ball away.

Rankine was involved again 25 minutes in cutting in from the right, but he dragged his shot wide from the edge of the box. Aimson then headed towards goal, but Aaron Bott easily caught the ball.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 0-0 Notts. Forest.

Both sides struggled to gain a real foothold in the game, but one of Latics’ changes, Chris Sze did look sharp after a break.

Jack Perkins tried his luck from distance before Asamoah Jr did likewise from the edge of the box, but Bott held on.

Sze had a 20-yard free kick shave the crossbar two minutes from time and despite Latics’ late pressure, the game headed to penalties to determine who would progress to the knockout stages.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 0-0 Notts. Forest.

The game went to a penalty shoot-out.

Silko Thomas stepped up first for Latics and cooly slotted the ball into the corner. 1-0 Latics. Jack Nadin then had his spot kick saved by Watson who dived well to his right. Matt Smith, off the bench, put Latics two up, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way. James Sinclair was then denied by another Watson save. Captain on the night, Aimson stepped up to put Latics 3-0 ahead. Kyle McAdam had to score to keep Forest in the tie – but Watson made it a hat-trick of saves to send Latics through to the knockout stages of the Bristol Street Motors trophy.

Attendance; 1,449

Teams; WIGAN— (4-2-3-1) Watson; Sibbick, Aimson, Carragher, Dummett; Adeeko, Payne; Asamoah Jnr., Thomas, Rankine; Hugill; Subs: --- Tickle, Ramsay (for Sibbick), Sessegnon, M. Smith (for Payne), Olikagbe (for Rankine), Sze (for Hugill), Miller (for Dummett);

NOTTS FOREST --- (4-2-3-1) Bott; Back, McAdam, Hammond, Thompson; Perry, Perkins; Sinclair, Nadin, Berry; Gardner; Subs: --- Griffiths, Cahill, Collins (for Berry), Hanks, Whitehall (for Perry), Brown, Blake;

Referee; Mr. Scott Tallis (Coventry)