Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs BLACKPOOL

26^th April 2025

GAME OF TWO HALVES AS TICS LEFT HANGING ON FOR DRAW.

Wigan Athletic stretched our unbeaten run to six games with a 1-1 draw with Blackpool at the Brick Community Stadium in the final home game of the campaign.

Ryan Lowe's men followed up their encouraging draw against second-placed Wrexham AFC with consecutive 1-0 victories over Shrewsbury Town and Rotherham United, extending their unbeaten run to five league matches. 

The Latics Gaffer named an unchanged side for the fourth consecutive match. Former Latics midfielder Lee Evans and forward Ashley Fletcher started for the away side, while ex-goalkeeper Richard O'Donnell was named on the bench.

Latics took the lead with their first meaningful attack of the game as a hopeful ball over the top found MELLISH who raced to the by-line and volleyed the ball across the box and despite Tyrer scurrying across to his near post, he could not keep the ball out of his net.

Blackpool, under the leadership of former Latics boss Steve Bruce, looked to respond and captain Jason Kerr had to be alert to clear a Hamilton header off the line.

Latics should have doubled our lead on sixteen minutes as Owen Dale’s cross found Maleace Asamoah free in the box, but he dragged his shot wide.

The game was very open and Niall Ennis was played clean through moments later, but Sam Tickle did brilliantly to deny him with an outstretched leg.

On 38 minutes Latics again went close as the lively Asamoah Jr made a forward dart and checked inside before curling an effort just wide of the far post.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 1-0 Blackpool.

The visitors made a number of tactical changes at the break and this had the desired effect as Adeeko, whose neat passing had been prominent in the first period, was starved of the ball as he was closed down quickly by the increasingly prominent Lee Evans. Blackpool were now dominating possession and territory but the Latics defence, as had so often been this case this season, held firm.

Blackpool continued to push and eventually were handed a golden chance to level the game from the penalty spot as Owen Dale brought down Hamilton. The decision was contested but in truth the challenge was clumsy and the referee was probably correct in his decision. Lee EVANS grabbed the ball and planted his penalty firmly past Tickle who was given little opportunity to save.

Latics introduced Jonny Smith and Callum McManaman, with the latter picking up an early booking before having an effort at goal blocked. Blackpool continued to look threatening and Albie Morgan fired in a long-ranged effort which Tickle did well to beat away.

With time running out Blackpool were the ones pushing for a late winner and they had another vociferous appeal for a penalty when Ennis went down in the box. But this time the referee deemed the contact to be minimal and waved play on.

There was still time for Morgan to unleash another goal-bound effort but Tickle was again in the right place to make the save and ensure that the points were shared.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 1-1 Blackpool.

Scorer; Mellish (3); Evans (74, pen);

Attendance; 11,176

Teams; WIGAN— (4-3-2-1) Tickle; Carragher, Aimson, Kerr, Robinson; Adeeko, Weir, Mellish; Dale, Asamoah; Taylor; Subs: --- Watson, J. Smith (for Dale), Darcy, Sze (for Asamoah), McManaman (for Taylor), Sibbick (for Robinson), McHugh;

BLACKPOOL--- (4-4-2) Tyrer; Offiah, Casey, Baggott, Husband; Apter, Evans, Morgan, Hamilton; Fletcher, Ennis; Subs: --- O’ Donnell, Lawrence-Gabriel, Pennington, Bloxham (for Husband), Onomah (for Fletcher), Beesley, Silvera;

Referee; Mr. Matthew Russell (Hampshire).