Latics gift the Shrews a point – Wigan Athletic 2 Shrewsbury Town 2

12/22/2024 03:00 AM

• Wigan Athletic were leading Shrewsbury 2-0 until they gifted the visitors an unlikely draw with an own goal by Will Aimson and a goalkeeping mistake by Sam Tickle.
• Latics had taken an early lead when Thelo Aasgaard volleyed home from the edge of the box from a Jonny Smith corner.
• The hosts doubled their lead on 53 minutes when Dale Taylor finished past Jamal Blackman after being set up by Matt Smith.
• It looked as though Latics would take the three points until Aimson diverted a cross into his own net on 67 minutes and with three minutes remaining Tickle spilled another cross and George Lloyd followed up to give bottom club Shrewsbury a rare point.
• Latics drop to 17th place and Shrewsbury remain bottom of League One.

Shaun Maloney made one change to team that had defeated Bolton with Michael Olakigbe replacing Silko Thomas in the starting line-up.

Latics started on the front foot and Olakigbe had an early chance when he cut inside and shot at goal, but his effort was deflected wide.

The resulting corner saw Jonny Smith drive the ball deep to Aasgaard and he volleyed first time low into the corner of the net. Taylor may have got the final touch as the ball flew through a body of players.

Olakigbe and Aasgaard then combined well to create an opening for Steven Sessegnon, but the defender's effort was wide of the target.

Latics enjoyed plenty of possession but couldn't add to their lead in the first half.

The visitors had an early opportunity in the second half when Tickle had to beat away Jordan Shipley's curling free kick. 

At the other end Baba Adeeko went close when he was played clean through by Taylor, but Blackman denied him, before Jonny Smith blazed over the rebound.

Latics doubled their lead on 57 minutes when Matt Smith did well to win the ball off the Shrewsbury defence and feed Taylor who finished into the corner of the net.

It looked as though Latics would run out comfortable winners, but the visitors got back in the game when Tom Bloxham's cross from the right was diverted into his own net by Aimson's outstretched foot.

Latics suddenly looked uncomfortable as Shrewsbury pushed forward and Latics retreated.

Josh Feeney headed over from a free-kick a few minutes later as Latics looked to be in trouble.

With three minutes of normal time remaining Latics were undone. The normally reliable Tickle spilled a cross and Lloyd was on hand to poke the ball home.

Frustratingly Latics had thrown away a great opportunity to build on the away win at Bolton and move higher up the table.

Overview

After last Saturday's tremendous victory at Bolton Latics once again demonstrated their inconsistency with a 2-2 home draw against rock bottom Shrewsbury.

For over an hour Latics had been the better side with 2-0 lead but after an unfortunate own goal they once again retreated into defence and defended nervously. As against Blackpool earlier in the season they surrendered a two goal lead.

Mistakes happen in football and I'm sure Aimson and Tickle will hold their hands up, but our game management has been so poor this season. If Latics had some more experienced players they see out the game comfortably.

Maloney must instil much better game management into his young squad if they are to progress in this league. A few more experienced heads in the transfer window wouldn't go amiss either. He has seen a reoccurring problem and he must now work hard to rectify it. 

Latics enter a busy and difficult Christmas and New Year period knowing they must improve and put together a winning run to get them into the top half of the table.

Post match comments

Speaking to media afterwards Maloney's main emotion was frustration after his side let their lead slip in their final home match of the calendar year.

"The game became less controlled just before their first goal," he said.

"I am disappointed. Shrewsbury are fighting for their lives, but we are also fighting for what we want to achieve. 

"That is the most frustrating part of today. If we would've seen the game out, we would've been closer to the top half of the table.

"I'll back the players that we have. We were unbelievable in the last game and had a very good performance for parts of this game.

"I am really disappointed to lose a two-goal lead. I need to pick the players back up – they were brilliant seven days ago. 

"This felt slightly different to Blackpool. 

We stopped doing the things we were doing, and if you allow a team in your defensive third, those things can happen. 

"I'm absolutely gutted for the home fans. We had an amazing away experience, and I wanted to give the home fans something to build on. 

"It was a good performance, but it's not enough. There is big disappointment off the back of what we did last week, but we have to come again and raise our levels."

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