Ten-man Carlisle make it tough for Tics – Carlisle United 0 Wigan Athletic 2 – FA Cup 1st Round (AET)

11/03/2024 02:00 AM

• Wigan Athletic narrowly defeated ten-man Carlisle United 2-0 after extra-time in the FA Cup first round at Brunton Park.
• The hosts went down to ten-men after only 14 minutes when Ethan Robinson was harshly sent off for a foul on Steven Sessegnon.
• Latics were completely out of sorts in the first half and despite going down to ten-men Carlisle had several good chances to go ahead through Daniel Adu-Adjei.
• The visitors were much better in the second half with substitutes, Scott Smith, Jonny Smith and Silko Thomas making a big difference.
• Latics created numerous opportunities but couldn’t make the breakthrough until extra-time when Scott Smith bundled the ball home from Thomas’s cross.
• Carlisle continued to battle bravely and Latics had to call on England Under 21 International Sam Tickle to make two excellent saves to deny the hosts.
• Maloney’s men sealed their progress to the second round of the FA Cup in the final minute of extra-time when Jonny Smith tapped home following a breakaway.

Shaun Maloney made two changes to the starting line up from the 2-2 draw with Blackpool with Luke Robinson and Toby Sibbick replacing Calvin Ramsay and Will Aimson.

Carlisle started on the front foot and had a good chance in the second minute when Daniel Adu-Adjei won the ball from Robinson and fired a low strike at goal which Tickle did well to push around his post.

The game then turned in Latics’ favour in the 14th minute when referee Martin Woods red carded Ethan Robson for a foul on Steven Sessegnon.

The one man advantage didn’t seem to perturb Carlisle however and the were the better side for most of the first half.

They had a good opportunity when Taylor Charters went clear and he crossed for Adu-Adjei, but his header was well saved by Tickle on 20 minutes.

Latics first attempt at goal came on 24 minutes, as Aasgaard curled a 30 yard free kick just over the crossbar.

The hosts continued to create chances though and Jason Kerr came to Latics rescue when he cleared off the line and Tickle was forced to divert away another cross from the right which looked destined for the corner.

It was a deeply unsatisfactory first half performance by Latics who could easily have been two or three goals down at the interval against the ten-men.

Maloney will have had some stern words in the dressing room at half time and he made three changes at the break, introducing Calvin Ramsay, Jonny Smith and Silko Thomas for Sessegnon, Rankine and Olakigbe.

The visitors gradually got into their stride and they went close on 55 minutes when Jonny Smith curled an effort towards the far post, but Gabe Breeze tipped his effort around the post.

Scott Smith replaced Robinson on 56 minutes and was soon making an impact.

Thelo Aasgaard headed over following a Jonny Smith cross from the right before moments later he disappointingly headed wide from five yards from another Jonny Smith cross.

Scott Smith then smacked another chance against the post from Silko Thomas’s pull back.

The pair then combined again moments later as a cross from Thomas was met by the head of Smith, but this time Breeze was able to make the save.

Latics were completely in control now and it seemed only a matter of time before they would score.

Thomas nearly managed to bundle the ball home from another attack before Scott Smith again went close.

Matt Smith had a shot from distance tipped over by Breeze before Matt Smith set up Aasgaard, only for Breeze to make another save.

In five minutes of added time substitute Joe Hugill headed wide from Thomas’s cross.

Despite their second half dominance Latics just couldn’t take one of their numerous chances and the game went into extra time.

Scott Smith forced another good save from Breeze at the start of extra-time before the keeper then denied Thomas.

Jonny Smith then cut inside and fired over the crossbar.

Latics were creating so many chances and they eventually made the breakthrough just before half time in extra-time.

An inviting cross from Thomas from the left found Scott Smith who bundled the ball home from close range and it was such an important goal for the Wiganer.

In the second half of extra time Carlisle pushed more players forward and Latics struggled to keep them at bay.

Latics were unable to keep possession and Carlisle created several great opportunities to take the game to penalties.

Sam Tickle was in imperious form and the keeper twice denied the hosts late on. First he made an incredible save to tip Dominic Sadi’s strike over the crossbar. Tickle then kept out a goal bound Luke Armstrong header.

Latics were desperately hanging on as the hosts pushed for the equaliser. Goalkeeper Breeze went up for a late corner but Latics broke quickly with Jonny Smith running half the length of the pitch before tapping home to seal their progress into the Second Round of the FA Cup.

Overview

This was an important victory for Latics and manager Shaun Maloney. An FA Cup exit against a League Two team down to ten-men could easily have put Maloney’s position as manager in doubt. The team had been completely out of sorts in the first half and they could easily have gone out of the competition against the ten-men.

It was a much improved second half performance instigated by the second half substitutes Scott Smith, Jonny Smith and Silko Thomas.

Latics used the wingers much better in the second half and got crosses into the Carlisle box. The finishing was somewhat erratic but they eventually got their rewards when Scott Smith deservedly scored in extra-time.

Latics should then have managed out the game much more comfortably. However, as at Blackpool in midweek their game management let them down and Carlisle had several good opportunities to equalise.

If it was not for the excellent Sam Tickle Latics might’ve had to face the lottery of penalties and Latics record in this department is not a good one.

Maloney and his coaches need to ensure Latics players learn how to see out the latter stages of a game when they are defending a lead. The young players seem to panic at these times, seemingly incapable of keeping possession and keeping the ball away from their own goal. A cool head in difficult circumstances is a much needed requirement.

Post match comments

Speaking to the media afterwards, Maloney was very pleased to have advanced in the cup competition which means a great deal to the Football Club. 

"With a cup tie, the main thing is to get through," he said. 

"It was a difficult match. We started fine, but when the red card happened, I thought we lost our way.

"We didn't understand in the first half how we were going to hurt them. Once we were in at half-time and made some changes, we were far better. 

"The second half was really good – we had enough chances to win that game. Their keeper (Gabe Breeze) had a brilliant game and we missed some chances. 

"Sam (Tickle) made two unbelievable saves. From my point of view, the performance was good and the game should've been dead within the 90, but that's why we love the cup. 

"The substitutes had a big impact. Jonny (Smith) scored at the end and was dangerous throughout, and I thought Scott Smith was outstanding. 

"Honestly, I couldn't ask for anymore. The last five minutes was why we all love the cup – it was hectic. 

"I am very pleased to be in the next round. This competition means a lot and I loved it today.

"What our away fans did today was so good. I'm trying really hard to give them a team to be proud of.

"I don't know when we'll be challenging to fight for the league above, but I'll give every last bit of energy I have to give the fans that team."

The draw for the Second Round of the FA Cup will take place on Sunday 3rd November at 7.45pm.