Reserves out of League Cup as comeback stalls
Wigan Athletic 3 (2) v Port Vale 2 (0)
Wednesday 23 November 2016
RESERVES OUT OF LEAGUE CUP AS COMEBACK STALLS
Dan Lavercombe, Luke Burke, Matty Taylor, Josh Gregory (Trialist 60), Sam Stubbs, Adam Anson, Arnold Baxendale, Sam Cosgrove, James Boyd (Randall 88), Danny O'Brien (Tom Powell 83), James Barrigan (Callum Lang 70).WIGAN ATHLETIC:
SUB NOT USED:Theo Roberts.
PORT VALE:Miguel Santos , James Gibbons, Charlie Walford, Sebastien Amoros, Calvin Mac-Intosch, Tom Brewitt (Luke Dennis 72), Christopher Mbamba, Michael Brown (Brian Barton 79), Rigino Cicilia (Omar Haughton 53), Quentin Pereira (Mike Calveley 72), Dan Turner.
SUB NOT USED:Joe Slinn.
Vale needed a win and also for Morecambe to win at Fleetwood to stand a chance of progressing out of the group stage but this defeat saw them finish third out of the 4 teams with just 3 points. Presumably with Nathan Smith expected to depart in the January transfer window Bruno Ribeiro was present to take a look at a potential loanee replacement in the shape of Tom Brewitt from Liverpool. Brewitt, a former England Youth international, had recently been on trial with Chesterfield as his games with Liverpool U23 have been limited. Vale were also hoping to have a look atNnaemka Anyamele who is a 22 year old left back; he is a Finnish U21 international of Nigerian descent and plays for HIFK Helsinki. Unfortunately his clearance had not arrived in time for him to be named.
The home side were ahead in the second minute as O’Brien broke down the right hand side before cutting in on goal and slotting the ball past Santos into the far corner of the net. Vale were trying to play the ball out of defence and but losing the ball in dangerous positions and could have been 3 – 0 down in the first 4 minutes but firstMac-Intoschcame to the rescue with a tackle and then O'Brien shot into the side netting.
Vale then began to apply some pressure and Cicilia turned well in the box but shot just wide and then had a shot saved. Another chance arose after Pereira was fouled just outside the penalty area on the left; he delivered a dipping free kick that broke free in the box and was hacked clear to safety. However, just after the quarter hour mark Vale fell further behind as Barrigan crossed from the right for the unmarked O'Brien to plant a header home at the far post.
It could have got worse a few minutes later as Cosgrove raced on to a ball over the top but Brewitt showed a turn of pace to get back and complete a saving tackle as the attacker bore down on goal. Turner then saw a shot comfortably saved and then Brown fed Cicilia who was tackled as he shot and the ball went just the wrong side of the post. Brewitt then stopped another break by Cosgrove as the Latics pushed for another goal and were only denied when Baxendale’s cross was taken off the head of a well placed forward by Cosgrove who could not make sufficient contact and the ball went wide. Pereira had a shot well saved by Lavercombe and Cicilia shot just wide of the far post as the half ended.
minute Vale levelled as Turner controlled a forward ball from Brown with his chest, turned the defender and slotted the ball home from 15 yards.thVale should have pulled as goal back 3 minutes into the half as Brewitt was sent flying by a push as he went for a header from a corner. The ref pointed to the spot but Pereira spot kick was too close to Lavercombe and he comfortably saved the effort. 5 minutes later were did pull one back as Turner was on his own in the area to meet a centre and sweep the ball home. In the 58
Vale were now looking the likely winners as they poured forward but somewhat against the run of play Wigan scored the winner as Amoros twice missed a tackle on Anson who then found O'Brien who squared the ball for Cosgrove thrash the ball past Amoros. Vale faded after that and only kept the score down to the single goal after goal-line clearances by Gibbons and Dennis and Cosgrove was unlucky to see his hooked effort go just wide from 6 yards..
Lindon Roberts – Port Vale Volunteers Group