Latics a little lucky against the Tykes – Wigan Athletic 1 Barnsley 1

30/03/2025 01:00

• In manager Ryan Lowe's first home game in charge Wigan Athletic drew 1-1 with Barnsley at the Brick Community Stadium.
• Latics had an early chance as Dale Taylor cut the ball back to Chris Sze but a last ditch tackle from Jonathan Bland denied him.
• The visitors went ahead on eight minutes when Davis Keillor-Dunn curled a great free-kick over the defensive wall and into the top corner from 30-yards.
• Latics tried to respond and Taylor had a great opportunity but keeper Kieren Flavell saved with his legs.
• Latics probed for an equaliser in the second half and they drew level on 77 minutes after Asamoah Jr capitalised on a mix-up in the Barnsley defence.
• Jason Kerr was lucky to escape a red card when he pulled back substitute and former Latic Stephen Humphrys.
• Latics ended the game strongly, substitute Joe Hungbo forced a superb one handed save from Flavell and the points had to be shared.
• Latics are now in 18th place and Barnsley in 11th place in the League One table.

Lowe made three changes from the defeat at Charlton Athletic, with Jonny Smith, Ronan Darcy, and Sze returning to the starting line-up in place of Jon Mellish, Jensen Weir, and Luke Chambers. 

Latics had an early chance when Taylor crossed for Sze but Bland made a great last ditch challenge and somehow deflected the ball wide.

The visitors first attempt resulted in a goal. Keillor-Dunn curled a brilliant 30 yard free-kick into the top corner of the net.

Latics had a chance to respond just four minutes later as Ronan Darcy broke and fed Taylor who was denied by the legs of goalkeeper Flavell.

Flavell was in action again soon afterwards to deny Jonny Smith an equaliser, before he then held onto Scott Smith's long-range strike.

The Tykes Conor McCarthy then had a goal ruled out for offside after a free-kick, was tapped home.

Latics continued to push for an equaliser but the visitors went into the break ahead.

The hosts continued to push forward in the second half but Barnsley looked dangerous on the counter attack.

Latics were a little lucky to draw level however, as a long ball over the top was chased down by substitute Asamoah Jr who nipped in front of Mael De Gevigney and hesitant goalkeeper Flavell and was able to score an easy first goal for the club.

At the other end, the Tykes almost restored their lead but Jonathan Russell was denied by the legs of Tickle.

Flavell then somehow denied another Latics substitute Hungbo with a wonderful reactionary save and the points had to be shared.

Overview

New Head Coach Lowe has only had two weeks to work with his new charges but there were definite signs of improvement in his first home game.

Lowe went for a more forward thinking line-up with two strikers, a back three and two advanced wingbacks.

Latics adopted a more direct approach with quicker build up play. They created some good chances but they also looked vulnerable on the break and were perhaps a little lucky to get away with a point. 

The Tykes had a goal disallowed for offside, Kerr could easily have been given a red card and it was a defensive mix up that allowed Asamoah Jnr to score the equaliser.

Next up for Latics are local rivals Bolton at the Brick on Tuesday night. Lowe will want to outsmart his friend and former colleague Steven Schumacher.

Wanderers will be desperate for the win after recent poor results have damaged their playoff hopes.

Lowe will want to maintain Latics' excellent record against the noisy neighbours.

Post match comments

After the game Ryan Lowe spoke to the media.

"I thought the lads were fantastic."

"We asked the lads for a fast start and to get the ball behind their backline as quickly as we could, and I thought for 25 minutes, we were excellent. 

"It was a sucker punch with the goal, and we sometimes just need to have a bit more belief to regroup and go again, and I thought they did that in the second half.

"We tweaked one or two things to be more patient. I think in the first half before they scored, we could've been 2-0 up because we had some good chances.

"The lads have been excellent all week in training working on patterns of play, and it's that last little bit of putting it in the back of the net. 

"I'm pleased with a large part of the performance, and I'm definitely pleased with the attacking part of the football which I think we've been missing."

On his first game in the home dugouts, Lowe praised the influence of the Tics supporters.

"I was getting the nerves driving and coming down the hill. You see the stadium, get out of the car, see the fans, and feel the vibes.

"I've only been here a couple of times, but the reception the fans gave me was fantastic. I also thought it was a great gesture for Darren Orme. Not just the players and staff, I think the fans have made Darren proud.

"We could see the Tics really getting behind the lads – especially late on – and that's the noise we want.

"I'm glad my first game is done and we can concentrate on getting as many points as we can in the last nine games.”

After the Sky Bet League One fixture, the Latics Head Coach provided an update on Luke Chambers and Tyrese Francois who were both not involved.

"Tyrese (Francois) was due to be in the squad and we were looking at starting him but he pulled up with a calf injury which ruled him out. 

"Luke (Chambers) has an infected foot – he trained yesterday but he couldn't do anything. 

"We had to shut them both down – I don't know how long Tyrese will be but I'm unsure whether we'll see him from now until the end of the season."

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