Martial Godo pulled a goal back for Latics

• Relegation threatened Cambridge United defeated Wigan Athletic 3-1 with a brace from Gassan Ahadme at the Abbey Stadium.
• The hosts went ahead from their first attack in the 11th minute. James Brophy provided a low delivery from the left and Ahadme finished well into the far corner.
• Latics were awarded a penalty when former Latic Jordan Cousins fouled Josh Magennis on 35 minutes. But Magennis failed to convert the spot kick with Will Mannion saving low down to his right.
• The U’s surprised Latics with another clinical finish in the 57th minute when Sullay Kaikai delivered a fine cross which was headed home by Ahadme.
• Latics reduced the deficit after 65 minutes when Martial Godo ran clear following substitute Matt Smith’s through ball and finished through Mannion’s legs.
• But Latics’ threatened comeback never materialised as Danny Andrew’s superb free-kick beat Sam Tickle from 25 yards.
• Latics remain in 12th place and Cambridge remain in 19th place in the League One table.

Shaun Maloney made a surprising eight changes to his starting line up from the draw with Burton Albion. Steven Sessegnon, Jason Kerr, Luke Chambers, Baba Adeeko, Liam Shaw, Martial Godo, Josh Magennis and Chris Sze replacing Sean Clare, Charlie Goode, Tom Pearce, Matt Smith, Jonny Smith, Thelo Aasgaard, Stephen Humphrys and Charlie Kelman.

Latics made a bright start and threatened in the first minute when Godo cut inside and held off his marker before getting in a shot which was deflected wide.

The hosts scored with their first attempt on goal after 11 minutes. A fine low delivery from James Brophy was met by Ahadme who finished low into the far corner of the net.

Latics had a golden opportunity to draw level on 34 minutes when Magennis was fouled in the box by Cousins.

Magennis spot kick was saved by Mannion who dived low to his right before Chambers and Sze collided when it looked like one of them would tap in the rebound.

Maloney made two changes at half-time with Stephen Humphrys and Charlie Kelman replacing Scott Smith and Sessegnon, and soon afterwards Matt Smith and Thelo Aasgaard replaced Adeeko and Shaw.

Latics’ task got more difficult on 57 minutes when a Cambridge counter attack resulted in a second goal. Ahadme rising above Hughes to head the ball into the corner following a cross from Sullay Kaikai.

The visitors did pull a goal back six minutes later though as substitute Matt Smith played a through ball dinked to Godo who calmly finished through the goalkeepers legs.

Latics were in the ascendancy now and they probed for the equaliser. Charlie Goode replaced Kerr on 82 minutes. 

But just when it looked like Latics might salvage a point Andrew curled a superb free kick from 25 yards into the top corner to effectively seal the three points for the hosts.

Overview

Eight changes for this game and it’s pretty obvious that Maloney is struggling for the right combination of players at the moment.

Several players once again under-performed. Some may feel that their season is already over and their minds are on looking for other clubs. Others look like they are fatigued and lacking in drive. But whatever the reasons, as professional footballers, their performances were unacceptable.

To be fair to Cambridge they were clinical with the few chances they created, but Latics also need to defend their box much better.

Martial Godo was Latics’ best player providing a constant threat down the right hand side and scoring a very good goal. Luke Chambers and Charlie Hughes once again stood out, but both may not be at the club next season.

Maloney must quickly find a winning formula or Latics will have a depressing end to the season.

Latics have struggled against many of the teams at the bottom end of the table this season losing at Port Vale, Fleetwood, Burton, and now Cambridge. They will need to be made of much sterner stuff if they are to challenge for promotion next season.

Post match comments

Speaking to the media afterwards, Maloney believed it was far from a lack of effort or desire, but not coming out on top in the key, game-defining moments. 

“I am really disappointed with the result,” he said. 

“In these types of games, we’ve struggled all season. When the pitch becomes very difficult to play on, and the game becomes more physical, we’ve found it tough.

“Today felt very similar to Stevenage and Cheltenham with that style of play, and in the really key moments, we came up short. 

“With these types of games, you try and keep them as far away as your box as possible.

“They are very good at what they do, and we respect how every team plays. We have to defend set plays and the second phase and defend the box. In these games, that’s vital, and two goals come from a cross into the box.

“I was more disappointed with how we played against Burton Albion. They kept on trying to play through this team, and they created chances.

“Players can miss penalties – that’s part of football. The biggest thing with where we are in the table is we’re losing in the key moments.

“It wasn’t a lack of effort, but in the key moments, you get hurt on days like this.”

Player ratings

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