Report by SJG

F. A. CUP

CAMBRIDGE UNITED vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

30^th November 2024

LATICS DO IT THE HARD WAY AT THE ABBEY.

Wigan Athletic came from behind to snatch a late extra time victory thanks to Jonny Smith's curling strike which halted their winless run in Cambridge and sent Latics through to the third round of the Emirates FA Cup.

Shaun Maloney made three changes from our win in midweek, with Baba Adeeko, Scott Smith and Dion Rankine coming into the starting line-up, replacing Jensen Weir, Matt Smith and Jonny Smith who were all named on the bench. Former Latics players Kell Watts and Jordan Cousins both started for the hosts.

Cambridge started brightly, buoyed by their late leveller against Bolton in midweek and Sullay Kaikai tested Sam Tickle with an effort from inside the box but the Latics stopper was equal to the task. Cambridge came again and Ryan Loft picked the ball up from deep and drove at Will Aimson before firing in a shot that was straight at Tickle.

Latics probed in the first 30 through wide players Rankine and Silko Thomas without really threatening the Cambridge goal. Aasgaard did fire an effort which was certainly travelling, but it was well blocked by Watts in the United defence.

Half Time; Cambridge United 0-0 Wigan Athletic.

Latics came out for the second half with more of a point to prove and Dale Taylor cut in on his left foot before firing an effort straight at Vicente Reyes.

Maloney made two early changes as he introduced Jonny Smith and Malaece Asamoah Jr just short of the hour mark and the two substitutes combined instantly as Smith collected an Asamoah pass before firing a shot that passed inches over the crossbar.

Latics best chance of the game so far fell to Dale Taylor. The Forest Loanee was played clean through by a Scott Smith header, but the legs of keeper Reyes denied him the goal that his recent performances have deserved.

Cambridge substitute, Korey Smith, fired wide at the other end from the edge of the box before Tickle brilliantly denied former Tic Kell Watts with a wonderful sprawling save to his right.

The pressure was building and it was no surprise when the hosts took the lead on 77 minutes. A hopeful long ball found its way to NJOKU who was in behind the Latics defence and he slipped the ball past Tickle via the inside of the post.

Latics were back on level terms seven minutes later when a cross by Jonny Smith from the right found AASGAARD and he took a touch before firing perfectly into the far corner.

Full Time; Cambridge United 1-1 Wigan Athletic.

Extra time began in lively fashion as Asamoah Jr, who was playing more centrally, turned away from his man before his low shot was saved by Reyes.

The home side struck back as Njoku headed wide, before Lavery’s header did likewise early in the second half of extra time. Njoku then fired over from a narrow angle before Tickle came to Latics rescue again with another big save.

Latics got the late winner one minute from the end of extra time as Jonny SMITH checked in from the right and crossed the ball that somehow found its way into the far corner to send the contingent of Tics fans into jubilation and Maloney’s men into round three.

After Extra Time; Cambridge United 1-2 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; Aasgaard (85), J. Smith (119); Njoku (77);

Attendance; 3,830

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

CAMBRIDGE UNITED --- (3-1-4-2) Reyes; Andrews, Watts, Ibsen-Rossi; Cousins; Brophy, Kachunga, Kaikai, Bennett; Loft, N’Lundulu; Subs: --- Smith (for Kaikai), Emmanuel (for Ibsen-Rossi), Lavery (for Loft), Kaunda, Morrison (for Cousins), Njoku (for N’Lundulu), Stevens;

Referee; Mr. Zachary Kennard-Kettle (Berkshire).