MATCH REPORT: WIGAN ATHLETIC VS HEMEL HEMPSTEAD
Match Overview / Performance Analysis
Wigan were victorious in WN5, but things didn’t go as smoothly as Ryan Lowe would of wanted this afternoon, fair to say Hemel Hempstead really pushed Wigan to their limits. The main thing to take from this one, is the fact that we are into Round 2!
Performance
It was always going to be an intriguing clash as League One Wigan met National League South Hemel Hempstead, and it was a match that went right down to the wire. It’s fair to say that the first half was one of a disappointing level & Wigan had their opportunities but in usual fashion we were fairly wasteful and lacked that creative spark, the fans got a treat however, when in the 25th’ minute Wigan broke the deadlock after Plymouth loanee Callum Wright unlocked his Wigan Athletic goal scoring account, by netting a tap in, which was very well set up from Mr Paul Mullin. This spark didn’t stick though, as Wigan’s remainder of the first half was very flat and very uneventful. As for The Tudor’s their first half also lacked that spark, and they gave Wigan plenty of breathing room but we weren’t able to profit on that, Hempstead’s fans really were their twelfth man, with every tackle, throw in & corner, being celebrated like a goal, but the side let them down with a poor level of football displayed. The second half began with both sides unchanged, and very quickly it was clear to see Hemel Hempstead’s improvement, with fluid movement and pressing, Wigan found themselves constantly under pressure and making sloppy decisions because of it. Wigan then made the decision to sub both Matt Smith & Callum McManaman on for Callum Wright and Ollie Cooper, symbolic as Callum McManaman was in fact, our Man of the Match in our 2013 FA Cup Final Triumph, and it’s fair to say Cal Mac’s presence didn’t go unnoticed with his effort to take on defenders. Disaster then struck for Wigan in the 62nd’ minute Wigan were awarded yet another red card AND conceded another penalty after Matt Smith brought down a Hemel Hempstead player, and the referee pointed straight to the spot. The penalty was well taken and converted by Joe White, and it was some scenes from the 906 Hemel Hempstead fans. Wigan’s attitude was very poor when it came to regaining the lead, but we landed a huge opportunity, after Paul Mullin was fouled in the box, and the referee pointed to the spot, BUT Paul Mullin made an absolute mess of it skying it into row Z of the South Stand. Followed by this, Hemel Hempstead went on quite the surge, with Sam Tickle having to work ever so hard to keep Wigan level, their were goal line clearances, and then in the 5th minute of stoppage time added time, Hempstead struck the underside of the crossbar, and it was only narrowly deflected behind by Jensen Weir.
Extra Time, was infuriating to watch to be brutally honest, Christian Saydee tried his best as the loan striker, but the lack of options and poor attacking flair made it almost impossible for him and the remainder of both halves saw Hempstead absolutely hog possession. Then Right at the end, in the 120th’ minute we required a fantastic goal line clearance from Will Aimson, narrowly taking Wigan to penalties, and it has to be said that the visitors were ever so unlucky.
When going into a shootout, it’s always 50/50, and with the lack of finishers on the pitch for Wigan, I was anxious we would struggle. Up first was, Cal Mac who converted his penalty well, with a finesse into the bottom right corner. For Hempstead up first was EFL Veteran Jevani Brown, who converted his penalty with minimal fuss. Followed by him was Tics Captain Jason Kerr, who drove his shot nicely into the bottom left corner. Up next Adebayo Azeez, who MISSED after a solid save from Sam Tickle, and then stepped up Will Aimson, with the chance to make it advantage Wigan, and… he did just that, with the ball only just finding it’s way in after colliding with the post. Hempstead’s pressure button was well and truly on and Jake Gray hit a good penalty pass Tickle. Saydee next, and it was a rocket into the top left corner. Up next Isiah Noel-Williams had to score, and… did, with a good penalty to the right of Tickle, no chance. All that was left was for Morgan Fox to convert and send us into Round Two, and luckily for us, he rose to the occasion firing the ball into the bottom left corner and avertedly ending Hemel Hempstead’s FA Cup run.
Wigan Athletic Player Ratings
Sam Tickle: 7/10 – Did his bit in normal time, but a huge save denying Adebayo Azeez on penalties gives him high marks from us.
James Carragher: – 6/10 – Wasn’t an amazing return, but yet I’m unsure why he was subbed off so early by Lowe.
Jason Kerr: – 6/10 – Usually have big praise for the Scotsman, but today he was made a fool out of by smart attacking play from Hempstead.
Morgan Fox: – 6/10 – Same feeling as I did with Kerr.
Jensen Weir: – 6/10 – Fairly uneventful day for Jensen.
Fraser Murray: – 6/10 – Poor first touch, and just generally weak on the ball.
Callum Wright: – 6/10 – A first goal for Wigan, but by no means an amazing performance.
Ollie Cooper: – 6/10 – Lacked any spark or creativity.
Joe Hungbo: – 6/10 – Unwilling to take on defenders.
Paul Mullin: – 6.5/10 – Worked hard, and baring the bad penalty, wasn’t all that bad.
Christian Saydee: – 6.5/10 – Worked his 🥜’s off today, but sadly didn’t receive enough support from his teamates.
(Substitutes)
Callum McManaman: – 6/10 – Came on early, tried his best to get a chance on goal.
Matt Smith: – 4/10 – Sent off after less than five minutes on the pitch, terrible.
Will Aimson: – 6/10 – Brought on to help defend with a man down, made a huge goal line clearance in the dying seconds..
Tobias Brenan: – 4.5/10 Young & inexperienced, will get better with time I hope, really poor passing decisions.
Luke Robinson: – N/A
Raphael Borges Rodrigues: – N/A
Stats
Attendance & Atmosphere
Wigan Athletic Attendance: 4,020
As expected really, fair to say most fans are very fed up of Lowe ball, and it’s bound to impact attendances.
Hemel Hempstead Attendance: 906
Fair play to Hempstead amazing travelling support, from start to finish, they certainly deserved to head through based on that alone, very unfortunate.
Hemel Hampstead Matchday Vlog
Couldn’t make it to the game? We’ve got you covered 🎥⚽️ – check out our full matchday vlog for all the action, atmosphere, and away day drama!