Tremendous Tics topple the Trotters again – Bolton Wanderers 0 Wigan Athletic 2

12/14/2024 12:05 PM

• Wigan Athletic maintained their derby day dominance over Bolton Wanderers with an emphatic 2-0 victory at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.
• Latics controlled the first half and went ahead in the 18th minute when Dale Taylor cut across the box before firing into the bottom corner of the net.
• The visitors had chances to increase their lead and went closest when Thelo Aasgaard's header was parried by Nathan Baxter and Baba Adeeko couldn't convert the loose ball.
• Wanderers started the second half much better but Latics stood firm and they doubled their advantage when substitute James Carragher's ball into the box was well controlled by Aasgaard before he turned and fired into the corner of the net.
• Latics deservedly ran out winners in a derby the Trotters have not won in ten-years.
• Wigan move up to 16th place and Wanderers drop to eighth place in the League One table.

Maloney made three changes from the defeat against Leyton Orient, with Matt Smith, Jonny Smith and Aasgaard coming into the starting line-up in place of Scott Smith, Dion Rankine, and Jensen Weir. 

Latics started on the front foot and pressed the Wanderers goal.

They were getting plenty of crosses into the box and Taylor nearly got on the end of a Toby Sibbick cross.

A free-kick from the right then found Jason Kerr at the back post, he headed back across goal for Sibbick who headed narrowly wide.

Latics deservedly went ahead on 18 minutes when Aasgaard fed Taylor on the right. The Nottingham Forest loanee did superbly to cut across the box and fired low into the bottom corner.

The visitors had a chance to double the lead four minutes later as a cross from the left from Silko Thomas saw Taylor inches away from connecting as the ball drifted just wide.

But Latics best chance to increase their lead came when Aasgaard was denied with a header from close range and Adeeko should have converted the rebound.

Wanderers were all at sea and they picked up their fifth booking of the first half when captain George Thomason clattered Silko Thomas.

Latics had been in control of the first half and they probably should've been more than a goal ahead at the break.

The hosts were improved after the break and Sam Tickle had to make an early save from Jordi Osei-Tutu’s strike.

Wanderers then had an opportunity to draw level following a goalmouth scramble but Szabolcs Schon failed to connect inside the box and the chance went begging.

Latics then had a big chance of their own. A corner from the right found the head of Jason Kerr at the back post, he headed back across goal before it came out to Aasgaard who took the ball down and volleyed the rebound from the edge of the box straight at Baxter.

At the other end Thomason had a chance but he headed straight at Tickle on 59 minutes.

James Carragher and Michael Olakigbe replaced Jonny Smith and Sessegnon on 62 minutes.

Latics deservedly increased their lead on 67 minutes when substitute Carragher's ball into the box was well controlled by Aasgaard before he turned and fired into the corner of the net.

Bolton tried to get back into the game and John McAtee fired a free-kick narrowly wide before Kerr denied substitute Aaron Collins with a block.

The hosts huffed and puffed but couldn't find a way through the well-drilled Latics backline.

An impressive victory for Latics who are now undefeated in ten-years against Bolton, but it was another derby day disaster for Ian Evatt’s team.

Overview

This was a fantastic performance by Shaun Maloney’s team who clearly wanted the win more than Ian Evatt’s Wanderers.

Latics young team have been struggling with consistency recently but they outplayed a Bolton team which is expected to be challenging for promotion. 

Latics pressed high from the kick off and the Wanderers defence struggled to cope under the pressure. The hosts received five yellow cards in the first half and it could so easily have been more as they struggled to contain Taylor, Silko Thomas, Aasgaard and Jonny Smith. 

The visitors could easily have been two or three goals ahead at half-time with Sibbick, Taylor, Aasgaard and Adeeko all going close.

Its fair to say some of Latics players upped their game from recent weeks and were much improved. They must now try to maintain those high standards going forward.

Maloney’s team has had its greatest successes this season when playing on the front foot and pressing high. Against Peterborough (H), Bristol Rovers (A) and Bolton (A) they have been more attack-minded and got players into forward positions and not surprisingly this is when they have been at their most productive.

Latics must now capitalise on this confidence boosting victory with a home game against bottom club Shrewsbury Town at the Brick Community Stadium next Saturday.

Post match comments

Speaking post-game, Maloney couldn't hide his happiness and praised the players for their immense efforts. 

"I'm very proud," he told the media.

"I thought we were brilliant in the first half. With respect to Bolton, we should've been more than a goal ahead. 

"We showed character when he had to defend, we didn't give up big chances and we showed big talent.

"This result means the world to me. This is the biggest win I've had since I've been here.

"So much has gone on – and all I want to talk about is football. What these players did today was incredible. 

"They played under big pressure. I know where Bolton are as a team, and I know where they are as a Club.

"They are constantly pushing for the top two spots, and to come here and play as we did – the players have to take absolutely every bit of credit. It was an amazing performance."

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