Scorers K.Evans,A.Hull

With no game last weekend Wigan returned to action to face an in form Burnley side.

A bright autumnal afternoon saw Burnley take early control of the game pushing Wigan firmly onto the back foot. Caitlin Olivia, Leah and Jennie had to work very hard to keep them out with some last ditch tackles and good saves.

Wigan struggled to get forward with only a couple of breaks from defence in the first 10 minutes of the half. Eventually Wigan did mount a meaningful attack ending with Charlottes shot rebounding off the post, before Nadia chased down the ball and crossed before another close chance for Neve.  Just as things looked like improving Burnley took a deserved lead with a close range shot after some good passing.

Burnley continued to put pressure on Wigan as the rest of the half progressed forcing Jennie to produce two good saves and making the defenders Megan, Olivia and Leah work hard to keep the score line 1-0 at half time.

After the break Wigan seemed to improve with Abbie making good runs down the left wing and Katie, Leah and Charlotte beginning to pass and move looking for an equaliser.  After two minutes in the second half the Burnley keeper was forced to make the first of several good saves as Wigan pushed forward. 

The game was now a much more even contest with Wigan’s defence still having to be alert as Burnley continued to push into Wigan’s half. 

17 minutes into the second half Wigan got another spurt of energy and played some good passing football starting at the back with Olivia and resulting in Katie striking it home to make it 1-1.

The game remained even but with time running out both sides having chances to win the game.

It was Wigan who clinched it late on when Abbie swept home another quick passing move to make it Wigan 2-1.

This was a hard fought game and Burnley can feel hard done by not to have got anything from it. Wigan played in fits and starts but eventually the passing and moving that Martin have been training them so hard in was put into practice and ended with a win.

Girl of the Match- C.Newsham. 

Wigan’s next game is against Preston North end at home on the 31st October.

Scorers C. Newsham, L. Foster, N Haddock, J.Myler

After a closely fought game last week against Blackpool, Sunday once again saw Latics face a tough match against a good Man City side.

An unusually warm October afternoon began with City, playing with the wind at their backs, starting strongly and making most of the early play. Wigan’s defence had to work hard with Olivia, Emily, Leah and goalie Jennie having to deal with several dangerous corners in the first few minutes. Wigan held firm during with this period and slowly began to get a foothold in the game, making some good breaks through Charlotte Katie Neve and Nadia, giving the City back line plenty to think about.

It was from one of these attacks that Wigan broke the deadlock as Charlotte cut in from the left to hit a low shot past the startled City keeper.

As the game began to flow, both teams played some great football, with chances at both ends, City’s most notable effort coming from yet another corner which eluded the home defence to rebound off the far post. While Charlotte, Neve, Katie Leah and Steph all went close to adding to Wigan’s lead.

 A very entertaining first half ended with Wigan leading 1-0

The second half began well for Wigan, who took full advantage of the wind behind them to put early pressure on City. With goalkeeper Jennie and all the defenders playing well Wigan began to pass the ball with confidence and soon added to the lead when Leah scored with a great shot from the corner of the box that dipped under the bar at the far post giving the keeper no chance.

Wigan were not getting things all their own way as City pushed forward to try for a goal of their own, good chasing  back by Abbie, Charlotte, and Leah with good defending from Olivia Emily and Steph kept them out. While Goalie Jennie tipped a good shot onto the bar before turning the follow up round the post.

The second half was following a similar pattern to the first with one team then the other threatening to score. After two good saves by the city keeper including one from Leah that shaved the bar Noah got on the end of a good corner to bundle the ball in for her first ever goal for Wigan to make it 3-0.

City did not let their heads drop though and soon had a goal of their own when Jennie could not get enough on a good shot from the edge of the box making it

3-1 Wigan.

As the game neared its conclusion both sides began to tire but Wigan held firm as

City tried to close the gap and with only seconds to go Jennie launched a huge kick which took on a bounce before clearing the stranded City keeper and finding the back of the net 4-1!

As the game ended both teams deserve great praise for playing some good football. The whole Wigan team worked hard for each other, passing, tackling and defending in the way Martin and Barry wanted them to and can all be proud of their performances.

Girl of the Match was C. Newsham.