Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs NORTHAMPTON TOWN

26^th November 2024

LATICS HANG-ON TO GRAB SECOND WIN ON THE BOUNCE.

Shaun Maloney made three changes to the side that won at Oakwell, with Jensen Weir, Matt Smith, and Jonny Smith coming into the starting XI in place of the injured Tyrese Francois, Baba Adeeko and Dion Rankine. Callum McManaman also returned to the matchday squad in a welcome boost for Maloney's men.

Latics started brightly and won successive corners inside the first minutes with Smith looking dangerous down the right. 

The first attempt at goal came from Silko Thomas who was found down the left after great play from Smith and Aasgaard. Thomas checked inside, but his well struck shot was too high to trouble the Cobblers’ keeper.

Latics didn’t have to wait much longer for the opener that their lively start deserved as a lovely turn from Taylor opened up the space and he slipped in Aasgaard who was through on goal. AASGAARD advanced and his strong shot found the net via the hand of the goalkeeper for his second goal in as many games.

Maloney’s men were well on top and doubled their lead just five minutes later as the dangerous Jonny SMITH picked the ball up on the edge of the box before cutting inside onto his left foot and curling a trademark effort into the top corner.

It could and perhaps should have been three when great work by Toby Sibbick down the right saw a dangerous cross picking out Weir, but his effort was somehow cleared off the line.

Smith had another effort, this time at the back post, but he fired over on the volley as Latics continued to tear holes in the visitors’ defences. Then it was Smith again on his left foot, but this time fired straight at the goalkeeper.

Northampton’s only meaningful effort of the half came in added time as Mitch Pinnock volleyed well over.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 2-0 Northampton Town.

The visitors came out on the front foot early in the second half, but failed to test Tickle. Then, at the right end, Weir got on the end of another flowing move, but he fired another cut back from the impressive Sibbick, wide from 15 yards.

Northampton were able to grab a goal back on 56 minutes as a cross found its way to substitute Tom EAVES and he out-muscled Steven Sessegnon before firing past Tickle with the visitors first shot on target.

Dale Taylor was a constant menace to the Northampton defence and he so nearly slipped in Aasgaard again, but there was too much on the pass and the defence scrambled the ball to safety.

The visitors were then gifted a big chance to steal a point five minutes from the end as Kerr failed to strike a back pass properly and Liam McCarron was gifted a free run on goal but he was denied by Tickle who was just able to get enough on the shot to deflect it wide of the post.

Wigan still pressed for a third goal that would secure the points and Aasgaard was denied a second goal as goalkeeper Lee Burge clawed his effort wide.

Tickle was called into action again in added time as he blocked a dangerous low cross before quickly regaining his feet to plunge to his right and deny substitute Sam Hoskins with another big save which ultimately secured all three points.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 2-1 Northampton Town.

Scorers; Aasgaard (11), J. Smith (18); Eaves (56);

Attendance; 7,754

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

NORTHAMPTON --- (4-2-3-1) Burge; Odimayo, Eyoma, Guthrie, Guinness-Walker; Chouchane, Honermarck; Pinnock, McGeehan, Fosu; Roberts; Subs: --- McGowan (for Eyoma), Hoskins (for Chouchane), Eaves (for Roberts), Tzaney, McCarron (for Fosu), Waghorn (for Odimayo), Wyatt;

Referee; Mr. Aaron. Bannister (Featherstone).

Sam Tickle’s performances between the sticks were recognised during the week when he was named League One player of the year at the North West football awards.