A comfortable four one victory for a Wigan side comprising of a mixture of first choice and supporting players saw Roberto Martinez’s men progress into the quarter final of the F.A. Cup for only the second time in their history.
The game was played on a pitch which following the rugby league gave yesterday was very uneven and concerns that Wigan’s normal passing game could be affected came to naught as Huddersfield surprisingly opted to allow the Premier League side time on the ball. Wigan’s first chance came when McManaman not for the only time this afternoon, beat Hunt and his cross was met by the head of Gomez but he was unable to keep the ball down and it landed on the roof of the net.
McManaman’s skill was to the fore all afternoon and during the first half an hour the young striker along with Fyvie and McArthur controlled the game and it was no surprise when McManaman open the scoring.
The goal came when a lovely pass from Gomez allowed McManaman to ghost past his marker and his shot from a tight angle near the deadball line found its way over Smithies head and Wigan had the lead.
A second goal wasn’t long behind it and McManaman was involved again when his fine cross from the left was met by Gomez, his shot was blocked on the line but Kone who was marginally offside flicked the ball into the net and Wigan went into the half time break with a seemingly unassailable lead.
Mark Robins in his first game as Huddersfield manager opted to throw caution to the wind introducing Vaughan and Novak up front and for fifteen minutes or so the home side looked to be in the ascendancy but Wigan’s defence held firm and on a rare foray into the home area a slick one two between McArthur and Gomez saw the Scotsman fire a powerful shot past Smithies and it was game over.
Huddersfield refused to throw in the towel however and continued to press for a consolation goal which was almost gifted to them when a terrible ball across his own area by Stam was intercepted by Vaughan and his goal bound shot was stopped by the long outstretched leg of Robles.
Huddersfield’s frustration was short lived when a cross into the area saw Novak steal in front of Figueroa and head the ball into the goal.
This proved to be nothing but a consolation as Wigan’s defence continued to soak up any pressure from the home side threw at them and then in the last minute Kone seized on a poor pass out of defence and fired a wonderful shot into the roof of the net to secure Wigan’s quarter final date with either Oldham or Everton to the delight of the two thousand or so travelling fans.
Team Line up and Ratings
Robles…..7, commanded his area well, one good save but a quiet afternoon
Figueroa….7, led by example although at fault for their goal.
Scharner…..7, played well
Golobart…..7, growing with confidence with each game
Stam…..6, worked hard down the right flank
Espinoza….6, did ok
McArthur….8, controlled midfield and took his goal superbly
Fyvie….7.5, went about his job in a calm, undemonstrative way
Gomez….6, some nice touches
Kone….7.5., a superb second goal, worked hard
McManaman….8.5, a deserved man of the match performance
Subs used
Maloney for Espinoza…..7, played well as always
Beausejour for Gomez…..6, did ok
McCarthy for McArthur…..n/a
Att 12,117
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