• Wigan Athletic were narrowly defeated 1-0 by Charlton Athletic at the Brick Community Stadium on the opening day of the League One season.
• Latics enjoyed plenty of possession and had the better chances but they failed to capitalise.
• Thelo Aasgaard had a volley well saved and fired a free-kick just over the bar, before creating another opportunity when his inviting pass was missed by Baba Adeeko.
• Aasgaard really should have opened the scoring when he raced through on goal, but he failed to pull the trigger and was dispossessed by Kayne Ramsay.
• The visitors grabbed the three points in the 81st minute when Latics coveted substitute Charlie Hughes failed to head clear a free-kick, and the unmarked Lloyd Jones volleyed home.

Latics new look team included debutants Will Aimson, Dion Rankine, and Joe Hugill. Hughes was named on the bench alongside Jordan Jones who signed a short term deal on Friday.

Latics started strongly and Hugill volleyed narrowly wide from the edge of the area.

At the other end, new Charlton signing Gassan Ahadme’s flick found its way to Greg Docherty whose strike was well blocked by Sam Tickle.

Latics pressed forward and Aasgaard tried his luck from the edge of the box as the ball bounced kindly for him to volley at goal. The ball looked destined for the corner, but the Charlton keeper tipped the ball away for a corner.

Tickle then did well to punch away a Charlton cross from the right before Aasgaard fired a powerful free kick just over in first half stoppage time.

Early in the second half Aasgaard crossed for Adeeko, but the Republic of Ireland U21 international missed his kick.

Kayne Ramsey came to Charlton’s rescue on 58 minutes as Aasgaard was played clean through, but the Latics midfielder failed to pull the trigger and the Charlton defender made a last ditch challenge.

Jones joined the fray on the hour mark replacing Chris Sze and his dangerous cross nearly found Rankine at the back post.

With nine minutes remaining a mistake resulted in Charlton taking the lead. The recently introduced Hughes heading a Charlton cross into the path of Jones who volleyed into the corner.

Substitute Josh Stones had a chance to draw Latics level but his header was easily saved by Will Mannion.

Jones continued to threaten down the Latics left and nearly grabbed a late equaliser, but his effort curled wide of the far post.

Latics just couldn’t take their chances and Charlton came away with the three points.

Overview

Latics were unlucky to not come away with at least a point in a closely contested game. The hosts had the chances to win the game but ironically it was one of Latics most talented players whose mistake contributed to their defeat.

Hughes is the subject of a transfer bid from Hull City and his future is uncertain. The uncertainty may be unsettling and Maloney’s decision not to start him suggests that this is the case.

New signing Aimson made an impressive debut in the centre of defence and it was slightly surprising when he was withdrawn on 73 minutes, although Maloney stated afterwards that he was tiring.

Latics will need much more bite in the final third after fluffing several good chances against Charlton. It’s early days for Hugill who had one decent strike towards goal but he had limited service and few real opportunities. Stones replaced Hugill on 73 minutes but like the Manchester United loanee he was always fighting for scraps.

It’s early days in the season but Latics will need to improve in the final third if they are to make progress this season.

Post match comments

Speaking post-game to Latics TV, Maloney was pleased with his side’s performance levels against a Charlton team who will be challenging at the top end of the season this term, despite the end result. 

“Football can do that to you sometimes,” he said.

“In terms of the performance, I cannot ask any more from the team. It was a second-phase set-play and that’s how we conceded.

“I thought the players were brilliant. The way they played against one of the favourites was brilliant. 

“It was a difficult day, but on the other hand, I’m unbelievably happy with the performances, but we didn’t win the game.

“I think the fans can see a lot of possession, and last year at times, we could’ve done better with the possession that we had.

“Today I thought we were fluent and tried to play forward. Getting beat at home is always tough, but that should give us hope that if we play like that every week, we’ve got a chance of doing something special.”