Preview: Fleetwood Town v Wigan Athletic

18 December 2020

Fleetwood Town face Wigan Athletic on Saturday 19 December at Highbury Stadium in Sky Bet League One, and we have all you need to know ahead of the 3pm kick-off in our match preview.

Fixture: Fleetwood Town v Wigan Athletic

Competition: Sky Bet League One

Date: Saturday 19 December 2020

Kick-off: 15:00

Venue: Highbury Stadium, Park Avenue, Fleetwood, FY7 6TX

Match officials: James Oldham (Referee), Graeme Fyvie & David Avent (Assistant Referees), Ross Joyce (Fourth Official)

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FLEETWOOD TOWN

Fleetwood head into their league clash with Wigan on the back of two wins and a draw in the last three games in all competitions.

Fleetwood had a long trip to Wiltshire as they faced Swindon Town at County Ground last Saturday. There was only one goal in the game and that came from Paddy Madden – who equalled the club’s EFL scoring record and netted his 50^th in all competitions

Last time out, Town made the trip to Fratton Park to face Kenny Jackett’s Portsmouth and they managed to pick up a well-earned point and a clean sheet against a promotion-chasing side.

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WIGAN ATHLETIC

Wigan have hit a run of form over the last three games as they have managed to pick up six points from a potential nine in League One.

The Latics travelled to the Stadium of Light at the start of that run and came away with all three points after beating Sunderland 1-0 – with Kyle Joseph grabbing the only goal of the day.

After that, Wigan played out a seven-goal thriller against Accrington Stanley last Saturday, which they managed to come out on top in the 4-3 result. Tom James opened the scoring, with Dan Gardner and Will Keane adding goals on later in the game. The deciding goal ended up being an own goal by Mark Hughes seven minutes from time.

In their latest game, they fell short in their home tie against Rochdale and ended up losing the match 5-0 at the DW Stadium. Dale scored the opener four minutes into the game and pressed on, eventually scoring an extra four goals before the final whistle.

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PRE-MATCH QUOTES – JOEY BARTON

Head coach Joey Barton spoke to the press ahead of his side’s Sky Bet League One clash against Wigan on Saturday. He had this to say:

“They will know that we will be a tough challenge for them in our park, but they will want to respond. They’ve got a lot of people who are getting opportunities but, obviously, it didn’t work for them on Tuesday night. They will want to show that their game on Tuesday was an anomaly.

“All you have to do is look at the 4-3 against Accrington and their performance against Sunderland, they will have some confidence and I think that it’s our job, as the home side, to take that away from them.

“We’ll be as we are. Right out the gates, trying to establish our control and principles, and play towards a Wigan side that will be trying to get themselves back going after a tough evening. They will be competitive as they have been in every fixture so far this season, barring Tuesday night.”

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WATCH TOWN ON iFOLLOW!

Supporters can now purchase video match passes for Fleetwood Town’s Sky Bet League One clash against Wigan Athletic on Saturday.

With games still being played behind closed doors, the match pass is your best option to watch the Cod Army during the 2020/21 season.

Joey Barton’s side have one last game before Christmas as they are set to welcome Wigan Athletic to Highbury for a Sky Bet League One encounter - and you can watch the game for just £10!

If you'd like to purchase your match pass, click HERE.

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Match Previews

Match Reports

Report: Andrew wonder strike cancelled out in Wigan draw

19 December 2020

Fleetwood Town conceded late on in their Sky Bet League One fixture as they shared the points in a 1-1 draw against Wigan Athletic at Highbury Stadium.

The game was closely fought throughout, with chances being a rarity for both sides. The deadlock was broken midway through the first half as Danny Andrew struck the ball perfectly from 25-yards, beating Jamie Jones.

The first chance of the game fell to Fleetwood as Barrie McKay drove down the middle of the park, found some space around the edge of the area, but struck the ball well wide of the target.

Both sides struggled to keep possession for the next ten minutes until Josh Morris was fed the ball on the right-wing. He decided to cross the ball into the box towards Paddy Madden, who couldn’t quite connect with the cross.

Town carried on pressing and it was McKay who had another chance, as he cut in from the left and drilled the ball towards goal, but the shot was saved by Jones.

A brilliant strike from Andrew, who received the ball from Paddy Madden, and decided to try his luck from 25-yards, powering his shot straight past Jones.

Fleetwood managed to create a few more half-chances before the break, through Madden and McKay, but none of them troubled the Latics’ defence.

Town started the second half the better as Morris whipped in a corner, which was only partially cleared to Callum Camps on the edge. He headed the ball towards Jordan Rossiter, but his effort is easily saved.

Both sides battled it out throughout the second half, with neither able to string a decent spell of possession together. Half-chances were created but nothing troubling either goalkeeper.

Town conceded late on as Oliver Crankshaw's diving header levelled the game with seconds to go. Will Keane's volley was saved at point-blank range by Jayson Leutwiler but the substitute reacted first and found the back of the net.

Town XI: Leutwiler (GK), Andrew, Connolly, Burns, Camps, J.Morris (Hill 62’), Mulgrew, Coutts (C) (Duffy 72’), Rossiter, Madden, McKay (Whelan 62’).

Subs not used: Cairns (GK), Edwards, Saunders, S.Morris.

Wigan XI: Jones (GK) (C), Pearce, Tilt, Johnson, Naismith, Keane, Gardner (Robinson 90+3'), Joseph (Crankshaw 85'), Merrie, Perry, James.

Subs not used: Evans (GK), Palmer, Jolley, Aasgaard, Long.