Team: Rebecca Williams, Megan Higgins,

Shaunna Campbell, Amy Mason, Katie Greenhalgh, Rebecca Pugh, Brogan Kay, Izzy Lowe,

Danielle Brookwell Subs used Charlotte Rowe, Melissa Fitzsimmons  

Wigan showed good character to earn a point from a tough encounter with Euxton and maintain their title challenge.

Wigan found themselves up against determined opposition in visitors Euxton and had to be at their best both in defence and attack. Both teams were playing with passion and enthusiasm and Wigan were rocked when Euxton took the lead mid-way through the first half.

A free kick from wide on the left bewildered everyone and found it’s way into the back of the net without a touch to give Euxton a 1-0 lead.

Latics responded in the best possible way when moments later Izzy Lowe directed a Katie Greenhalgh effort into the back of the net to draw Wigan level almost immediately.

Both sides had further chances within the half but the score remained the same going into the break.With the score locked at 1-1 both teams knew that another goal could be crucial, and it was Wigan that managed to find it first.

Danielle Brookwell made a surging run up the right wing and cut into the box, attracting the attentions of a number of defenders and the goalkeeper. However she somehow managed to get the ball out of the scramble into the path of Katie Greenhalgh who applied an assured finish to give Wigan a 2-1 lead.

The tension in the game increased after the goal and both sets of players were going into tackles hard. Euxton were desperately searching for an equaliser and it took something special to find it as their centre forward unleashed a strike from 25 yards which keeper Rebecca Williams got her hands to but unfortunately couldn’t keep out of the net. With the score at 2-2 going into the final minutes, Wigan threw everything at the visitors and Brookwell almost found a breakthrough with another fine run up the right wing but the forwards couldn’t apply the finish and Wigan had to settle for a point.

Wigan travel to Athletico on Saturday looking to return to winning ways before facing Fillies in the final game of the season.

Team: Rebecca Williams, Charlotte Rowe,

Shaunna Campbell, Amy Mason, Katie Greenhalgh Rebecca Pugh, Brogan Kay, Megan Higgins,

Danielle Brookwell Subs; Hollie Flynn, Izzy Lowe, Melissa Fitzsimmons, Sophie Straw, Fern Naughton   

Wigan backed up their victory at the weekend with a home win to open up a 6 point gap at the top of the league thanks to 2 second half strikes by Katie Greenhalgh.

Redgate showed straight away that they weren’t merely there to make up the numbers as both teams settled into the game well and tested each other out defensively.

Wigan fielded a slightly different defensive line up to the one which held out Blackpool at the weekend, but Charlotte Roe fitted in perfectly allowing Megan Higgins to push further up the field.

Wigan were working the ball well out to the wings and both Danni Brookwell and Brogan Kay found space to run into. Katie Greenhalgh was also doing well carrying the ball forward, assisted by Mel Fitzsimmons when she entered the fray. Kay came the closest to breaking the first half deadlock when she followed up an error from the keeper, but both sides defended well and the half remained goalless.

Wigan were conscious of their need for a goal but were encouraged to remain patient and continue their good build up play. This eventually paid dividends when midway through the second half Katie Greenhalgh pounced on a half cleared corner and fired the ball into the top corner to give Wigan the lead.

The visitors responded well to the setback and had a number of opportunities to level the score but found Rebecca Williams in excellent form again in the Latics’ goal as she repelled a number of strikes, helped out by her defenders.

Wigan made the game safe inside the final 10 minutes when Greenhalgh grabbed her second goal of the game with a strong finish from the edge of the box to give Wigan a worthy 2-0 victory.

Wigan will be looking for another victory at home when they face Euxton Girls in the league on Saturday.

Team:  Rebecca Williams, Megan Higgins,

Shaunna Campbell, Amy Mason, Katie Greenhalgh, Alex Taylor, Brogan Kay, Izzy Lowe,

Melissa Fitzsimmons, Subs; Hollie Flynn,

Charlotte Rowe, Danielle Brookwell, Sophie Straw, Fern Naughton, Rebecca Pugh

Wigan travelled to Blackpool in a vital game at the top of the table and despite being on the back foot for most of the game, Wigan came away with a 1-0 victory and all 3 points thanks to a late Katie Greenhalgh strike.In glorious weather,

Wigan started slowly and found themselves under intense pressure from the Blackpool attack. Back 3 of Shaunna Campbell, Amy Mason and Megan Higgins were working overtime to repel the home team, ably assisted by Becky Williams in the Wigan goal.

Latics left one up front as the midfield were forced into extra defensive duties, further adding to a lack of meaningful possession. Despite the pressure from the home side, Wigan’s strong defence was keeping them at bay and restricting them to mostly long range efforts which rarely troubled Williams’ safe handling, and half time arrived with the game still goalless.

A half time pep talk to try and lift the players and enable them to gain a foothold in the game reaped some rewards but they were still being forced to play most of the game in their own half. Blackpool were making much better use of the wide pitch and came close to scoring  but Williams tipped the ball onto the post and out for a corner.

With Latics tiring following their lack of possession, Katie Greenhalgh was sent back on to try to hold the ball up and give some relief to the defence.

She did this and more when she took the ball on half way and ran it up the wing before cutting into the box. A heavy touch gave the keeper a chance to claim the ball but Greenhalgh didn’t give up and won the ball back before rounding the keeper and finishing past 2 defenders on the line from a tight angle to give Wigan an unlikely lead.

Following the goal, the Latics had more opportunities to increase their lead as Blackpool pushed players forward looking for an equaliser, but the score remained the same until the final whistle as Wigan held out for a superb “backs to the wall” victory which sees them move 3 points clear at the top of the league.

Team: Rebecca Williams, Charlotte Rowe,

Shaunna Campbell, Brogan Kay, Amy Mason,

Alex Taylor, Katie Greenhalgh, Izzy Lowe,

Melissa Fitzsimmons

Subs; Hollie Flynn, Sophie Straw, Rebecca Pugh

Wigan climbed to second in the table with a solid victory over visitors Town Green as they scored a goal in each half to record a 2-0 win and take away the 3 points. 

Wigan lost the toss and played the first half uphill and into the rain that was falling persistently for the first 20 minutes of the match. Town Green took advantage of the slope and launched waves of attacks at the Latics’ defence, forcing defensive paring Shaunna Campbell, who was captain for the day, and Charlotte Rowe into action early in the game.

Keeper Becky Williams was also called on to make a couple of brave saves before Wigan found their attacking form and took the game to the visitors. The introduction of Rebecca Pugh midway through the first half lifted the Wigan team and she played a key part in the opening goal. After losing the ball from a free kick, Pugh and Amy Mason teamed up to win the ball back and allowed Pugh to burst in the box and unleash a strike at goal.

The keeper saved the initial shot but she could only parry the ball to the feet of the incoming Mel Fitzsimmons who dispatched the rebound into the net to put the Latics 1-0 up. Wigan threatened again before the first half finished through both Katie Greenhalgh and Pugh once again but were content with a one goal lead at half time. 

Wigan showed much greater composure at the start of the second half and started to impose themselves on the game. With the slope now in their favour, they looked much more comfortable in defence and were rarely troubled at the back.

Wigan’s strength in midfield created a number of chances for the forwards to chase, but the second goal was an individual effort from Izzy Lowe who took the ball down the right wing and cut into the box before finding time and space to squeeze the ball in at the far post. It was a well deserved goal from Lowe who worked tirelessly all game both in attack and defence.

Wigan’s 2 goal cushion was rarely threatened and when Holly Flynn came on to add an extra player to the defence Wigan’s aim was to see the game out without conceding a goal. Town Green’s best chances were coming from set plays and they almost found a breakthrough from a free kick, but Charlotte Rowe headed the goal-bound effort around the post to ensure Wigan collected all 3 points and kept a clean sheet.

In difficult conditions, Wigan showed the character to keep going and play for each other as a team, a quality which they will hope to repeat going into next week’s fixture against Dynamo Rangers.

WIGAN ATHLETIC LADIES F.C. U14’s – 3

Izzy Lowe 1

Melissa Fitzsimmons 1

Danni Brookwell 1

TMS F.C.  - 2

AWAY

WEST LANCASHIRE LEAGUE

Team:

1. Rebecca Williams

2. Hollie Flynn

3. Shaunna Campbell

4. Charlotte  Rowe

5. Dani Brookwell

6. Alex Taylor

7. Katie Greenhalgh

8. Izzy Lowe

9. Megan Higgins

Subs;

10. Amy Mason

11. Melissa Fitzsimmons

Team: Rebecca Williams, Megan Higgins,

Shaunna Campbell, Brogan Kay, Dani Brookwell, Alex Taylor, Katie Greenhalgh, Izzy Lowe, Melissa Fitzsimmons Subs; Hollie Flynn, Fern Naughton, Charlotte Rowe

Wigan worked hard to claim a 3-1 victory over Athletico as they gained 3 points from the first of

2 games in 2 days and continue to challenge for places at the top of the West Lancashire League.

Both the pitch and the weather were good as Wigan began the game with a slightly different formation, playing with just 2 at the back and pushing an extra player into midfield.

This proved to be an excellent choice as Wigan, with Katie Greenhalgh playing some excellent passes, dominated the half. Megan Higgins was asked to drop into defence and put in a great display in an unfamiliar role, alongside the ever reliable Shaunna Campbell. Brogan Kay was asked to cover in defensively when needed and played the role with confident assurance.

Latics had a few early chances, testing the keeper on a number of occasions with efforts from Dani Brookwell and Greenhalgh both going close before they opened the scoring when Melissa Fitzsimmons, playing the role of lone striker, turned the ball home at the far post.

The lead was almost doubled when an instinctive strike from Brookwell flew narrowly wide, before Alex Taylor added the second with an unstoppable strike from the edge of the area. Wigan almost paid the price for pushing players forward and their keeper Rebecca Williams was forced to make an excellent save as she pushed a goal bound effort onto the cross bar and safely out for a corner.

Wigan survived the scare though and added a third before half time when Fitzsimmons pounced on a handling mistake from the keeper to turn the ball home.

Athletico came into the second half with much more determination and tested the Wigan defence from the off. Williams was called into action a few times but was finally beaten when, after making another great save, the rebound was turned in at the far post.

The visitors found confidence in the goal and continued to attack, forcing Wigan to move Charlotte Roe back into defence to steady the play. Athletico found Latics much harder to break down with 3 at the back, and were unable to find enough time and space to mount further meaningful challenges to the Wigan goal.

Holly Flynn made a couple of timely interceptions to break up Athletico’s attacks, and Wigan could have added more themselves at the end of the game. Brookwell Greenhalgh and Fitzsimmons all had good chances to improve the scoreline, but Wigan held firm to complete the 3-1 win.

The victory was well deserved by the home team who played excellent football throughout the game and will be looking to do the same tomorrow when they face Redgate in another tough game.

Wigan Athletic u14's v Redgate u14's

7/03/10

Won 3-2

Team: Rebecca Williams, Shaunna Campbell

Megan Higgins, Dani Brookwell, Brogan Kay

Izzy Lowe, Alex Taylor, Katie Greenhalgh,

Sophie Straw Subs: Hollie Flynn, Charlotte Rowe,

Fern Naughton

Wigan won their second game in 2 days beating Redgate 3 – 2 in a tough battle, with goals coming from Sophie Straw, Fern Naughton & Katie Greenhalgh.

Team:Rebecca Williams, Charlotte Rowe, Amy Mason, Shaunna Campbell, Dani Brookwell, Alex Taylor, Megan Higgins, Izzy Lowe, Katie Greenhalgh

Subs;Hollie Flynn, Brogan Kay

Wigan put in a dominant display against hosts Lammack Juniors to claim 3 more important league points as they continue to push hard at the top of the West Lancashire League, claiming a 9-1 victory.

On a perfect pitch which encouraged passing football, Wigan excelled early on and took a commanding lead inside the first 5 minutes with 2 goals from the outstanding Katie Greenhalgh, and one from Alex Taylor as the Latics caught the home side napping at the start of the game.

After a frantic beginning, both teams settled into their game and Lammack pulled a goal back after a strong run from their lone centre forward found the Wigan defence wanting. Latics used this as a wake up call though and pushed forward looking to increase their lead.

In the centre of midfield, Megan Higgins was working hard and winning lots of ball, and Amy Mason was covering well at right back to repel any rare Lammack attacks. Dani Brookwell scored the next goal for Latics as they restored their 3 goal cushion, closely followed by Katie Greenhalgh’s hat-trick goal.

The Lammack defence were finding it increasingly difficult to deal with Greenhalgh’s power and she netted again 5 minutes before half time as Wigan took a 6-1 lead into the break.

Wigan’s half time message was more of the same, as their impressive passing and movement off the ball was creating lots of space all over the pitch. The home side looked much more resilient in the second half though and their defensive efforts made it much more difficult for Wigan to find the goals they had in the first half.

It was still one way traffic though with all the play being in Lammack’s half, and it was only a matter of time before Wigan, and Greenhalgh, scored again. A further 2 goals followed, a second for Brookwell and one for Izzy Lowe.

All 3 second half goals were almost identical, following breaks down the right wing and excellent finishes across the keeper and into the far corner of the goal. A late attack by Lammack was thwarted by an excellent save at close range from Rebecca Williams, and despite their best efforts Wigan couldn’t quite reach double figures.

The final score of 9-1 was well deserved by the Wigan team who had been on top throughout the game and face a table-top clash against Crosby Stewart next weekend full of confidence!

Wigan battled back from a two goal deficit to grab a deserved draw against league leaders Blackpool and stay within touching distance of their visitors in second place with games in hand.

 Wigan started brightly and worked hard for each other in the middle of the park, repelling Blackpool’s attacks with good work between the back three of Shaunna, Charlotte and Holly, along with goalkeeper Bex who made some excellent saves to keep the score at 0-0.

Rebecca Pugh was also working hard in midfield and making some telling tackles to win the ball for the Latics on a number of occasions. Wigan were unlucky to go one down when a Blackpool break down the left wing beat the last line of defence and saw the visitors take the lead.

Wigan couldn’t respond despite some good efforts from Alex down the left wing, and Wigan turned around at half time 1-0 down. Wigan started the second half much as the first with a good spirit and a desire to work together as a team, and this paid dividends when Brogan put pressure on the goalkeeper and pounced on her mistake to slot the ball home and draw Wigan level at 1-1.

Blackpool however responded almost immediately however, taking the lead back shortly after with a good strike from the edge of the box, and then doubling it after a Wigan defender unfortunately turned the ball into her own net to give the visitors a 3-1 lead. Undeterred however, Wigan continued to push forward in search of goals.

Alex was finding space out wide, supported well by Danielle, and when Alex floated a corner into the box Katie found the back of the net with a thumping header to cut the deficit to 1 goal. With renewed hope, Wigan pushed on in search of an equaliser and found it from another great corer from Alex. T

he ball found its way to Shaunna on the far post who beat 2 Blackpool defenders and found Katie in the middle of the box who slammed the ball home to claim a well deserved draw for the home team. 

The draw was a great result for Wigan who had not played a game since before Christmas, and who should take great heart from the battling performance and never sat die attitude shown by all.

The girls started off playing well having a couple of shots on target only to be saved by the Euxton keeper, Wigan were on top of the game. 

At 15 mins played the Euxton manager made a substitution up front and within a couple of minutes they scored. 1 – 0 to Euxton, next came the 2nd goal to Euxton which was a little controversial as it didn’t cross the line but was still given by the ref.  There 3rd goal came from a free kick.

Half time Wigan went in loosing 3 – 0.

Wigan made a few changes at ½ time,  the girls came out fighting and within 4 mins Melissa Fitzsimmons had scored wigan's 1st goal, the girls kicked off and Dannie Brookwell hit the underside of the crossbar bouncing in then out but this one was not allowed, she followed this up with a goal from a corner kick.   

Wigan carried on the comeback with a further 2 goals from Katie Greenhalgh and  Rebecca Pugh scoring 1.

This win takes Wigan to the top of the league having only lost 1 match this season.

The goal scorers for Wigan MelissaFitzsimmons 1, Danie Brookwell 1, Katie Greehhalgh 2, Rebecca Pugh 1.

Wigan made an excellent start and dominated all of the early play but they were unable to create any clear cut chances from all their possession.

Dynamo Rangers used a defensive formation throughout the first half which made it difficult for Wigan to find any space up front.

Wigan’s main attacking threat was down the left hand side were left back Charlotte was combining well with left midfield Alex to create some good crossing opportunities but Wigan failed to take advantage. Then, just as the game appeared to be heading to half-time scoreless midfield player Megan intercepted the ball in the centre circle and played a pass forward to lone striker Mel who then played a crisp one-two with Alex before shrugging off the attentions of two defenders and placing the ball with her left foot passed the Dynamo Rangers keeper into the back of the net.

Half time

Dynamo Ranger 0 Wigan Athletic Ladies 1.

The game changed within sixty seconds of the second half starting with Dynamo Rangers first meaningful attack resulting in an equaliser following some calamitous Wigan defending. It appeared some of the Wigan players hadn’t realised the game had restarted. Wigan continued to have most of the possession but wayward passing meant Wigan were unable to breakdown a determined Dynamo Rangers, who continued to play on the counter-attack.

Wigan had a couple of decent shooting opportunities both of which tested the Dynamo Rangers keeper, with first Sophie cutting in from the left wing to hit a right footed shot and then hard working striker Mel bursting into the penalty area and shooting low down to the keepers left which she was able to turn around the post for a corner.

The defining moment of the match came mid-way through the second half when a clearance out of defence by Dynamo Rangers was allowed to bounce in the Wigan half and sloppy defending allowed the lone Dynamo striker to run through and lob the ball over the Wigan keeper.

Wigan then pressed for the equaliser but never really looked likely to score.

In summary, despite having most of the play Wigan probably got what they deserved.

Final Score

Dynamo Rangers 2 Wigan Athletic Ladies U14’s 1.