Sam Tickle’s mistake proved costly

• Wigan Athletic were narrowly defeated 1-0 by Wycombe Wanderers at Adams Park.
• In an uneventful first half of poor quality Wycombe went ahead when Latics’ goalkeeper Sam Tickle fumbled a Josh Scowen effort into his own net on 19 minutes.
• Shaun Maloney made three substitutions at half-time and Latics proceeded to dominate possession and create numerous chances.
• Charlie Goode, Thelo Aasgaard, substitute Charlie Kelman and Charlie Hughes all had good headed opportunities. Substitute Chris Sze fired narrowly wide and substitute Jordan Jones forced a good save from Franco Ravizzoli.
• Despite their domination Latics just couldn’t make the breakthrough and Wycombe’s rearguard action secured the three points.
• Latics remain in 13th place and the Chairboys move up to 14th place in the League One table.

Maloney made three changes following the victory over Leyton Orient on Saturday as Liam Morrison,  Jonny Smith and Stephen Humphrys replaced Callum McManaman, Matt Smith and Jordan Jones. 

It was a tentative opening by both teams at Adams Park, but the first real opportunity fell to Goode from Jonny Smith’s corner but the Brentford loanees header was comfortably saved by Ravizzoli.

Wycombe went ahead with their first meaningful attack. Scowen fired a powerful effort at goal from a tight angle which Tickle fumbled into his own net at the near post. A rare mistake by Latics’ number one who has been excellent this season.

On 33 minutes Tickle did well to save Luke Leahy’s free-kick from distance but chances from either team were very few and far between.

Latics had a rare chance when Aasgaard crossed for Josh Magennis, but his header was blocked inside the six-yard box.

It had been a poor first half display by a Latics team who had lacked any real cohesion. The build up play was agonisingly slow and the forward play was toothless.

Maloney was clearly unimpressed with many of the players and he introduced Matt Smith, Martial Godo and Jordan Jones in place of Morrison, Jonny Smith and Adeeko at the break. 

However, Wycombe had the first chance of the half when Beryly Lubala headed wide at the back post from a free-kick.

Substitute Jones was soon involved as he crossed for Magennis who fed Humphrys, but his shot was well blocked.

Jones was causing problems down the left as he crossed for Godo, but the Fulham loanees effort was deflected wide from five yards out.

From the resulting corner, Goode headed straight at the goalkeeper, but it was a much improved opening to the half by Latics.

On 61 minutes Charlie Kelman and Chris Sze replaced Humphrys and Magennis. 

On 64 minutes Scott Smith produced an inviting cross for Aasgaard but the Norwegian U21 international headed well wide of the target.

Jones then had a shot blocked and substitute Kelman had probably Latics’ best chance when he headed narrowly wide from close range on 68 minutes.

Latics were in complete control of possession and Wycombe were camped in their own defence.

Jones was a constant threat and his goal bound strike on 75 minutes was deflected for a corner.

Chris Sze then had a chance on 78 minutes but his low strike was just wide of the post.

Godo then crossed for Aasgaard but his header was deflected wide. Substitute Chris Sze had to be substituted on 89 minutes after receiving a head injury and was replaced by Tom Pearce.

Seven minutes of added time, when realistically it should have been at least 10 minutes, but Latics continued to press for the breakthrough.

Aasgaard stooped to head low towards the corner of the goal but Ravizzoli somehow managed to tip the ball around the post.

Hughes then had an effort well saved by the Wycombe keeper as the pressure was relentless.

Jones forced yet another save from Ravizzoli with a powerful strike from the edge of the box deep into added time.

Maloney’s men just couldn’t make their dominance count and despite creating numerous opportunities they failed to score. 

A deeply frustrating evening for Latics at Adams Park.

Overview

This performance was typical of Latics’ inconsistency this season. A poor first half display, which was lacking in any cohesion, was compounded by a mistake which ultimately proved costly.

Magennis, Humphrys, Jonny Smith and Adeeko had very poor games but there were bright performances from Goode, Hughes, Chambers and substitute Jones.

Despite a dominant second half performance Latics had no real cutting edge. Numerous chances came and went. Wycombe had defended stubbornly but Latics still had enough chances to win the game.

From this performance it is clear that a quality finisher should be the top of Maloney and Rioch’s shopping list in the summer. 

The manager will be demanding a much better 90-plus minute performance in the local derby against Blackpool on Saturday.

Post match comments

Speaking afterwards to the media, Maloney was displeased with how his side performed in the first 45, though their response in the second perhaps warranted something out of the game. 

“The second half was everything that we want, and the complete opposite in the first half,” he said. 

“We have to respect the opponent but in terms of looking at ourselves, the first half was very poor.

“I didn’t like at all what I saw, and I had the complete opposite in the second half. We did everything but score, and I can’t fault the players in the second half. The second half was excellent and that’s how I want a Wigan team to play. 

“I’m sorry to the fans that I can’t give them at least something to go back with. They could see the team’s performance, but the first half cost us.

“It was a big mistake from our goalkeeper but Sam has been incredible this season and saved us numerous times. That’s an instant that can happen. I was really unhappy at half-time and the players who came on were excellent.

“I’m really disappointed with the first half. It’s difficult to sit there after the game with how we played in the second half and not win the game, but I also understand it’s the first half what cost us, and that hurts.”

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