Latics late late show secures third round spot – Cambridge United 1 Wigan Athletic 2 FA Cup 2nd round (AET)

12/01/2024 05:19 AM

• Wigan Athletic left it until the 119th minute of extra time to overcome Cambridge United 2-1 at the Cledara Stadium in the FA Cup 2nd round tie.
• Cambridge took the lead in the 77th minute when substitute Brandon Njoku broke free and fired past Sam Tickle.
• Latics responded with an equaliser in the 85th minute. Thelo Aasgaard producing a neat first touch in the box before slotting through a defender's legs and past Vicente Reyes.
• Both sides had chances to go and win the game but with penalties looming a cross from substitute Jonny Smith evaded everyone and settled the tie in Latics' favour.

Shaun Maloney made three changes from the midweek victory against Northampton with Baba Adeeko, Scott Smith and Dion Rankine coming into the starting line-up, replacing Jensen Weir, Matt Smith and Jonny Smith. 

Former Latics players Kell Watts and Jordan Cousins were in the starting XI for the hosts.

The hosts tried for an early opener with Sullay Kaikai testing Tickle from inside the box.

Ryan Loft then fired an effort straight at Tickle.

Despite a strong start by Cambridge, Latics stood firm under the early pressure.

Aasgaard had an effort on target well blocked and on another occasion fired wide.

But neither side created any clear cut chances in the first half.

Latics started the second half more aggressively and pushed forward. Taylor cut in on his left foot and fired an effort straight at Vicente Reyes.

Maloney made two changes on 56 minutes with Jonny Smith and Malaece Asamoah Junior replacing Rankine and Silko-Thomas and the two substitutes combined as Smith curled Asamoah's pass inches over the crossbar.

Latics should've been ahead on 59 minutes when Taylor raced clear of the chasing defenders but the Nottingham Forest loanee was denied by the legs of Reyes.

At the other end Korey Smith put an effort wide and then Tickle brilliantly denied former Latic Kell Watts with a spectacular diving save to his right.

Cambridge took the lead on 77 minutes as a long ball was headed on by Shane Lavery to Njoku who was in behind and placed the ball past Tickle.

Latics responded seven minutes later as a Jonny Smith cross from the right found Aasgaard, he took a neat touch and slotted the ball through a defender's legs and past Reyes.

Neither side could make the decisive breakthrough in normal time and an extra 30 minutes was required.

Early in the first half of extra time Asamoah Junior had a low shot on the turn well saved by Reyes.

Lavery headed wide early in the second half of extra time. 

Njoku then fired over from a narrow angle before Tickle came to Latics rescue again with another important save from Korey Smith.

Latics got the late winner in the 119th minute of extra time as Jonny Smith cut in from the right, crossed and the ball evaded everyone but found the corner of the net.

It was a pleasing ending for the 327 Latics travelling supporters who had made the 374 mile round trip to Cambridge.

Latics had deservedly progressed to the FA Cup third round where they will hope to get a favourable draw.

Overview

This was a confidence boosting victory at a ground where they have struggled recently.

Cambridge are a difficult team to defeat at home and they have been on a good run recently.

This was a characterful performance by Maloney's men as they had to come from behind to progress in what was a physical battle at times.

Latics were generally solid defensively with Will Aimson and Jason Kerr impressive and Tickle pulling off a couple of spectacular saves.

Going forward Latics struggled to create any clear cut chances in the first half but they were much better when Jonny Smith came on in the second half. The likeable scouser is currently the Tics most creative attacking option.

Smith was a constant threat down the right, firing just over the crossbar, putting in some dangerous crosses and scoring the winning goal with a deceptive cross.

Latics are now on a three match winning run and confidence will be high but they will face their stiffest test at promotion chasing Huddersfield on Tuesday night.

Post match comments

Speaking to the media afterwards Maloney was delighted and naturally spoke highly of his players who showed incredible fighting spirit. 

"It was an amazing result for us," he told the media.

"It's a place where we really find hard to come away with anything – and it was a proper cup tie.

"When we went one down, the resilience of the players was really good. I am very happy. 

"Normally when we've been here, we were down early. It was tough conditions for both sets of players, and we had lots of chances to score more.

"Today, I can't say anything negative about the players. I thought we were brilliant. 

"We want to win the next round. It's amazing that we're in that hat because this is a really difficult ground for us to come and we finally managed to win."

Over 300 supporters made the long trip to the Cledara Abbey Stadium, and Maloney was thrilled to finally send them home happy. 

"They've come twice here before with me and gone away after we've not looked close to winning the game.

"I appreciate the support. At 1-0 down, we needed them, and they were brilliant. I'm so glad I gave them a victory here because it's been tough travelling here in the last couple of games."