• Wigan Athletic got back to winning ways with a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Rotherham United at the New York Stadium.
• Rotherham’s best chance came in the first half when Andre Green headed over from Joe Rafferty’s cross in the 27th minute.
• Latics went ahead in first half stoppage time when Jonny Smith got to the bye-line and cut the ball back to Baba Adeeko who finished for his first goal for the club.
• The visitors had a great opportunity to double their lead in the 56th minute when Jason Kerr met Jonny Smith’s corner unmarked at the back post but he headed narrowly wide.
• Rotherham huffed and puffed but rarely threatened Sam Tickle’s goal in the second half and Latics recorded their fourth away win of the season.
• Latics move up to 14th and the Millers are in 18th place in the League One table.

Shaun Maloney made one change from the draw with Shrewsbury Town with Silko Thomas replacing Michael Olakigbe in the starting eleven.

The hosts started positively with former Latic Reece James firing over before Dale Taylor tested Dillon Phillips at the other end.

The hosts Mallik Wilks then fired high and wide of Tickle’s near post.

Jonny Smith curled an effort just wide before Rotherham’s best chance of the game fell to Green but the striker headed over with Tickle beaten.

Joe Powell tried his luck from distance and Tickle saved at the second attempt.

Latics started to gain some measure of control and Jonny Smith drove forward and fired at Dillon Phillips before Thomas had a curling effort from the edge of the box tipped wide by Rotherham’s keeper.

Three minutes into first half stoppage time Latics were ahead as Jonny Smith did well to get to the bye-line pulled the ball back for Adeeko who was unmarked inside the box and the Latics Academy product scored his first goal for the Tics.

Adeeko then nearly set up Taylor for a second goal but a Rotherham defender made a vital interception.

Early in the second half Kerr had a big chance to double the lead when Jonny Smith’s corner found him unmarked at the back post, but he headed narrowly wide from close range.

Thomas then got forward down the left and pulled the ball back for Steven Sessegnon, but a Rotherham defender made an important block.

Latics were in the ascendancy and Jonny Smith cut in again off the right and had a deflected shot saved by Phillips.

As the match moved into the closing stages Latics’ game management would be crucial. Would they concede late on as they had done against Shrewsbury? 

The hosts tried to push for an equaliser but they failed to create any goal scoring opportunities and Latics secured their fourth away win of the season.

Overview

This was a hard-fought but deserved away victory for Latics against a misfiring Rotherham team.

The visitors defended solidly and limited the Rotherham strikers to very few chances. Jason Kerr was outstanding in defence and led by example. It was unfortunate that he missed a big chance but the captain had produced a Man of the Match display.

The much maligned Baba Adeeko worked tirelessly in midfield and deservedly got his first goal for the club.

Jonny Smith was a constant threat down the right and Dale Taylor worked tirelessly as the lone striker.

Latics now have three tough fixtures ahead against Wrexham, Huddersfield and Birmingham and the results against these teams should provide a strong indicator as to whether the club will finish in the top, or bottom half of League One.

Post match comments

Speaking to the media afterwards Shaun Maloney was full of praise for Baba Adeeko after his first professional goal helped Wigan Athletic earn a 1-0 victory at Rotherham United. 

The young midfielder’s goal on the stroke of half-time proved to be the difference at the the New York Stadium, securing the Club’s first Boxing Day win in a decade. 

Delighted to have provided the travelling Latics supporters with a perfect belated Christmas present, Maloney paid special tribute to Adeeko who enjoyed a moment he will never forget in South Yorkshire.

“We’ve been waiting a while for that from Baba,” Maloney smiled.

“His performance again deserved it – he’s been brilliant since he came back into the side. 

“He gives us attributes without the ball that no one in this team has. Baba brings us a lot without the ball, and now he’s starting to really affect games with it.

“It’s a big win for us again. We’re in pretty good form – and I know we had a difficult 20 minutes in our last match – but we’re doing okay at the moment.

“Everyone contributed today, and I still think there is more in us. We could’ve hurt them more in the first half and certainly showed that in the first 25 minutes in the second.

“I remember the (Boxing Day) tradition as a player, and it’s brilliant. We travel in really good numbers, and the support we get is amazing.

“It’s difficult in these times, and this time of the year is not cheap. I am delighted that we gave them a Boxing Day win. I’m really chuffed and the players deserved every bit of applause they got from the fans.

“We will try and give them another good feeling in a few days.”

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