Report by SJG

F. A. CUP

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs FULHAM

8^th February 2024

BRAVE TICS GO DOWN FIGHTING AFTER SMITH WONDER GOAL

A young Latics side who finished the game with six Academy graduates, did themselves proud despite a 2-1 home defeat to Premier League side Fulham in the Emirates FA Cup.

Shaun Maloney made three changes from last weekend's Sky Bet League One stalemate with Lincoln City. Academy graduate Baba Adeeko made his first start since the last game of 2024 after returning from injury ahead of schedule, while Luke Robinson and Asamoah Jr also came into the starting line-up. Deadline Day signing Owen Dale was named in the matchday squad for the first time, while Steven Sessegnon also returned to the 18, offering the prospect that he could go up against his brother, Ryan for the first time.

Former Latics loan winger Martial Godo started for the away side.

As expected the visitors dominated the early possession stats, but it took them until the 14^th minute to test Sam Tickle but Josh King’s low drive was comfortably saved by the Latics number one.

Two minutes later Godo fed King and he cut the ball back for what looked like the opener, but James Carragher was there to clear.

Marco Silva’s men finally went in front on 23 minutes as a cross from Sessegnon from the left was headed back across the goal by MUNIZ into the far corner.

Martial Godo was then played in by Sessegnon, but he could only find the side netting from a tight angle. The visitors continued to dominate and Issa Diop headed straight at Tickle who did well to punch the ball away to safety.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 0-1 Fulham.

Fulham may have dominated play in the first period but the second half was a different story. Latics were level five minutes after the break as Smith picked the ball up on the right and in typical JONNY SMITH fashion, checked in from the right and curled a wonderful strike into the top corner.

Latics were then caught with a sucker blow as the visitors were back in front just five minutes later when Andreas Pereira played MUNIZ clean through and he finished neatly into the corner with his first time finish appearing to surprise Tickle in the Wigan goal.

Latics responded well as Jason Kerr found himself free at the back post and headed inches wide as Latics looked for a leveller. Wigan continued to push as substitute Callum McManaman caused havoc down the right and fellow substitute Ronan Darcy crossed for Fulham defender Diop to somehow divert the ball over his own crossbar from a yard out.

Scott Smith was then thwarted by a Steven Benda save as Maloney’s young Tics, featuring nine Academy graduates in the matchday squad did us proud.

Will Goodwin, who had been introduced from the bench, charged down Benda’s goal kick and Darcy’s fine effort from 40 yards just didn’t have the legs to make it. January loan signing Dale tried his luck from 30 yards on the volley which Benda this time got a hand to.

Latics thought they had grabbed a deserved late leveller to send the game into Extra Time as Dale's shot from distance was spilled and Darcy was there to tap home. However, the linesman raised his flag and Fulham held on to progress to round five.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 1-2 Fulham.

Scorers; J. Smith (50); Muniz (23), (55);

Attendance; 12,281

Teams; WIGAN— (4-2-3-1) Tickle; Sibbick, Carragher, Kerr, L. Robinson; S. Smith, Adeeko, Weir, J. Smith, Asamoah; Taylor; Subs: --- Watson, Aimson, S. Sessegnon, McManaman (for J. Smith), McHugh (for L. Robinson), Dale (for Asamoah), Darcy (for Adeeko), Goodwin (for Taylor), J. Robinson;

FULHAM-- (4-2-3-1) Benda; Castagne, Diop, Cuenca, R. Sessegnon; Cairney, Pereira; Reed, Godo, King; Muniz; Subs: --- Leno, Andersen, Jiminez, Traore (for Pereira), Vinicius (for Muniz), Berge (for Cairney), Iwobi (for Godo), Willian, Smith-Rowe (for King);

Referee; Mr. David Webb (Lancashire).