Report by SJG

F. A. CUP

CARLISLE UNITED vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

2^nd November 2024

STUBBORN CARLISLE PROVE A STERN TEST.

Latics overcame a stubborn Carlisle United side after a 2-0 Extra Time victory in the Emirates FA Cup First Round at Brunton Park. 

Shaun Maloney made two changes following Monday's 2-2 draw at Blackpool, with Toby Sibbick and Luke Robinson replacing Calvin Ramsay and Will Aimson in the starting line-up.

Both sides took their time to settle and the game took a big swing in Wigans favour on 14 minutes when Ethan Robson was given his marching orders after a high tackle on Steven Sessgenon.

Despite the set-back it was the hosts who shaded the first half based on chances created with Sam Tickle making some important saves.

Carlisle United had the first attempt at goal as Dan Adu-Adjei won the ball from Robinson and fired a low strike at goal which Tickle did well to push around his post, and it was Carlisle who had the next clear-cut opportunity on the break as a long ball over the top sent Taylor Charters clear and he crossed for Adu-Adjei, but his header was saved by Tickle.

Latics first attempt at goal came on 24 minutes, as Aasgaard curled a 30-yard free kick just over the crossbar.

Jason Kerr then came to Latics rescue clearing off the line following a free-kick from the left which was nodded towards goal. Tickle then diverted another cross from the right away which looked destined for the far corner.

Half Time; Carlisle United 0-0 Wigan Athletic.

Latics were much better in the second half as Maloney made three changes at the break, introducing Calvin Ramsay, Jonny Smith and Thomas as he looked for a response from his side. One of Maloney’s changes went close on 55 minutes as Jonny Smith curled an effort towards the far post, but Breeze tipped it around his far post.

Latics continued to improve and Aasgaard headed just over following a Smith cross from the right before moments later heading wide from five yards after another pin-point Smith cross. Another Latics substitute, Scott Smith, should have put Wigan ahead but his effort struck the woodwork after a nice pull back from Thomas.

The pair combined again moments later as a cross from Thomas was met by the head of Smith, but this time Breeze was equal to it.

Latics were now in total control as Thomas himself then tried to bundle the ball home, but a Carlisle defender got in the way before Smith again went close.

Matt Smith tried his luck from distance as Breeze touched the ball over his crossbar before Smith turned provider this time for Aasgaard, but again Breeze was equal to it.

Joe Hugill headed wide late in the game as we headed to extra time.

Full Time; Carlisle United 0-0 Wigan Athletic.

Scott Smith forced a save from Breeze at the start of extra time and the keeper was quick to regain his feet to deny Thomas from the rebound.

Hugill stretched for a header following another cross from Thomas and then finally Latics broke the deadlock on the stroke of half time in extra time. A lovely cross from Thomas from the left found Scott SMITH who slid the ball home.

Carlisle pushed for a leveller which would send the game to penalties, but Tickle came to Latics rescue with an unbelievable save as he dived to his right to tip the ball over the crossbar. Then Tickle yet again came up with a miraculous sprawling save two minutes from the end of extra time, as he somehow kept out a close-range header.

The hosts pushed for a late, late leveller and sent their goalkeeper up for a corner and when Latics broke it was Jonny SMITH who ran half the length of the pitch before tapping home into an empty net.

Final Score; Carlisle United 0-2 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; Scott Smith (105), Jonny Smith (120+1)

Attendance; 4,532

Carlisle: Breeze, Burey, Thomas, Lavelle, Hayden, Mellish, Sadi, Neal, Robson, Charters, Adu-Adjei Subs: --- Lewis, Harper (for Charters), Guy, Vela, Ellis (for Burey), Robinson (for Hayden), Barclay (for Thomas), Armstrong (for Adu-Adjei), Hopper

Wigan: Tickle, Sessegnon, Kerr, Sibbick, Robinson, Matt Smith, Francois, Rankine, Aasgaard, Olakigbe, Taylor Subs: --- Ramsay (for Sessegnon), Weir, Hugill (for Taylor), Watson, Jonny Smith (for Rankine), Scott Smith (for Robinson), Carragher, Thomas (for Olakigbe), Asamoah

Referee; Mr. Martin Woods (Lancashire).