Man of the Match Luke Chambers

• Wigan Athletic were held to a 1-1 draw by a resolute Cheltenham Town at the DW Stadium on Friday night.
• Cheltenham went ahead after only nine minutes when Tom Bradbury’s free kick found Matty Taylor, who fired low past Sam Tickle from close range.
• Latics dominated possession but rarely threatened to equalise in a relatively uneventful first half.
• Manager Shaun Maloney made three attacking substitutions at half-time with Josh Magennis, Stephen Humphrys and Callum McManaman replacing Tom Pearce, Baba Adeeko and Charlie Kelman.
• Latics were much improved and they equalised within seven minutes of the restart, with Luke Chambers firing home from a tight angle, via a deflection off defender Elliot Bonds.
• Jonny Smith had a good chance to give Latics the victory but he shot tamely at Luke Southwood and the points were shared.
• Latics remain in 13th place and Cheltenham in 21st place in the League One table.

Maloney made three changes to his starting XI following the victory over Shrewsbury Town. Jordan Jones missed out through injury, whilst Tom Pearce returned from injury and came in for the suspended Sean Clare. Jason Kerr made his 300th career appearance and Charlie Kelman started up front.

Latics started confidently and from a Thelo Aasgaard corner Kerr nearly got on the end of a dangerous cross.

The hosts were rocked three minutes later however as the visitors took the lead. Bradbury’s free-kick from the left came off the back of Kerr’s head and it fell kindly to Taylor who volleyed home from close range.

Latics tried to respond with Jonny Smith showing his pace and skill down the right before feeding Martial Godo. The Fulham loanee twisted and turned and crossed towards Kelman, but the striker’s  effort was well blocked.

The hosts were dominating possession, but they were struggling to create any clear-cut chances. Godo had a shot from distance, but Southwood saved easily.

Chambers tried his luck from 35 yards, but his effort was too high and Latics went into the break 1-0 down.

Maloney was clearly unimpressed with the first half performance and he made three attacking changes at the break as Humphrys, McManaman and Magennis came on for Pearce, Adeeko and Kelman.

Maloney’s men were level seven minutes after the restart when a Godo cross found its way to Chambers at the far post and he took a touch before firing a strike which took a deflection off defender Bonds and found the back of the net. 

Latics continued to have a much more attacking approach while dominating possession.

McManaman showed commendable grit and determination and produced some dangerous crosses, whilst Jonny Smith and Godo continued to probe the Robins’ defence.

Magennis did well to lay the ball off for Jonny Smith, but the winger’s low effort from the right was comfortably saved by Southwood.

At the other end, Aidan Keena fired an effort from 25 yards straight at Tickle.

Godo then crossed for Magennis to nip in front of his marker and volley just over the crossbar before at the other end Liam Kinsella fired well over from 35 yards.

Despite numerous stoppages, time wasting by Cheltenham and substitutions referee David Rock incredibly only added four minutes of stoppage time.

Last Saturday at Shrewsbury the referee added 11 minutes in a very similar game stoppage-wise. Such are the crazy inconsistencies of the referee’s in the EFL.

Latics continued to press for the winner but Cheltenham defended in numbers and the points were shared.

Overview

In retrospect Maloney will regret his team selection. Against a big Cheltenham defensive line up he started with Kelman and Latics struggled to create many chances in a dull first half. 

The hosts were much better in the second half with Magennis, Humphrys and McManaman on the field.

Liverpool loanee Luke Chambers produced a man of the match performance, defending superbly, linking up the play and starting many of Latics’ best attacks. He is a fine prospect who surely has a big career ahead in the Premier League. 

Latics played on the front foot and totally dominated possession in the second half, but credit should be given to Darrell Clarke’s team who defended resolutely throughout. 

The Robins are in good form and have now taken 10 points from a possible 12 in the last four games.

Latics could certainly be criticised for the slow build up play and lack of creativity to break down a stubborn Cheltenham team, but one must not be overly critical given the problems they have had to encounter this season.

Considering this team started on minus eight points and is made up of Academy players, loan signings and free transfers Maloney has done a very good job in establishing Latics in mid-table.

If Latics are to push on next season it is now up to owner Mike Danson to back Maloney in the transfer market at the end of the season.

Post match comments

Speaking afterwards to the media, Maloney believed Taylor’s early goal changed the complexion of the game, and he was happy with how his side adapted to the task and stuck with their way of playing.

“I was disappointed that we didn’t win,” he said.

“We had a lot of the ball in the first half but didn’t look that threatening, and in the second half, it was the opposite. 

“Once you concede from a set play after 10 minutes, it becomes a really difficult game and I could feel the tension at times. 

“We were good in the second half but if you concede early, they make it so hard. 

“I have to give credit to the players because in the second half, they really stuck to what we were trying to do. They were good, and we couldn’t find that second goal. 

“They are very good at what they do – and Cheltenham have been on a very good run. As soon as you go a goal down, the game becomes very difficult and that’s why I have to give the players credit. 

“I just wished we scored that second because in my opinion, it would’ve been deserved.”

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