Report by SJG

CARABOU CUP

HULL CITY vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

 10^th August 2021

WIGAN ARE SPOT ON AS THEY PROGRESS IN CUP.

Latics progressed to the Second Round of the Carabao Cup after securing an 8-7 penalty shootout victory over Hull City at the KCOM Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Jordan Cousins scored the winning spot-kick, after Will Keane, Thelo Aasgaard, Jordan Jones, Gavin Massey, Tom Naylor, goalkeeper Jamie Jones and Luke Robinson all netted, with Jones going close to saving efforts from Josh Emmanuel and Harry Wood before Di’Shon Bernard fired the Tigers’ eighth spot-kick over.

Stephen Humphrys had scored his first Latics goal just after half-time to give Leam Richardson’s side the lead, though Keane Lewis-Potter levelled five minutes later, with the game eventually going to penalties.

Wigan-born academy graduate – and Latics fan - Scott Smith made his first start for the Club, while new signing Kell Watts made his first start after joining on loan from Newcastle United on Monday. Fellow new arrivals Humphrys, Cousins and Jones all made their first competitive starts for Latics too.

Again, the new-look Latics started brightly as two first starters – Messrs Jones and Cousins – linked up, with the latter heading the former’s deep free-kick over the crossbar.

As the quarter-hour mark approached, Latics had their first strong opportunity to open the scoring as home goalkeeper Nathan Baxter gave the ball straight to Humphrys, who opted against chipping but then fired a powerful effort towards goal that required good handling from the Chelsea loanee.

Within a minute, the hosts had their first opportunity as Matt Smith curled wide from the edge of the area after being set up by George Moncur.

Those two opportunities seemed to open the game up somewhat and soon after Latics went close to opening the scoring as the impressive Smith curled a cross to the back post but Humphrys saw his header well saved by Baxter.

Latics continued to be the better side as the first-half progressed and went close again when Keane headed a Jones free-kick narrowly wide of Baxter’s left-hand post.

Half Time; Hull City 0-0 Wigan Athletic.

 After the restart, it was Latics who again looked most likely with Humphrys again forcing a save from Baxter with a strong shot from the edge of the penalty area.

Eventually, the former Rochdale man did get the better of Baxter and get Latics ahead as five minutes after the restart a Max Power cross was flicked on by the forward, with Baxter making the initial save before HUMPHRYS forced home the loose ball.

Within five minutes the hosts were level when a ball was played in behind the defence for LEWIS-POTTER, who finished excellently from the corner of the penalty area.

Ten minutes later, Tom Eaves had a great opportunity to put the hosts in front as he met Fleming’s corner at the back post but his effort crashed into the side-netting.

Hull then had another glorious chance to go ahead 20 minutes from time as Bernard met a cross from the left but headed into the ground and over from eight yards out, when he was well placed in the centre of the penalty area.

14 minutes from time Latics were inches from edging in front again as skill from Aasgaard freed Jordan Jones on the left and his delivery when coming inside was perfect for Keane, who was unlucky to see his effort bounce away off the foot of the post.

In the final minute, the hosts were inches from grabbing the winner as Harry Wood fired a left-footed shot just wide of Jamie Jones’ top right-hand corner.

The tie, though, went to penalties and Latics took excellent spot-kicks to secure a spot in the draw for the second round.

Full Time; Hull City 1-1 Wigan Athletic. (Wigan won 8-7 on penalties)

Scorers; Humphrys (50); Lewis-Potter (55);

Attendance; 4,139

Wigan Athletic (4-2-3-1) --- Jones (G); Power, Naylor, Watts, Robinson; S. Smith, Cousins; Keane, Aasgaard, J. Jones; Humphrys; Subs--- Amos (G), Lloyd (for Power), Carragher (for Watts), Massey (for Humphrys), Lang, Wyke, Whatmough;

Hull City (4-3-3) Baxter (G); Fleming, Greaves, Barnard, Emmanuel; Moncur, M. Smith, Cannon; Lewis-Potter, Eaves, Scott; Subs---Cartwright (G), Nixon, Hinds, Green, Jarvis (for Lewis-Potter), A. Smith (for Greaves), Wood (for Moncur);

Referee; Mr. Martin Coy. (Durham)