My FA cup bubble has been popped for another season, why I thought this time would be any different I don`t know, the Latics haven`t won more than two games in the FA cup in one season since 1986/87 when we reached the quarter finals, not the best competition for us.
Still travelling to a league 2 side I thought we may have a chance of getting at least a draw, problem is you have to have desire to do so for that to happen. Swindon may be three full divisions below us, they may also have players who are technically inferior to our players, but what they didn`t lack was the heart to have a go
The starting line-up named by Martinez was strong enough to have won the game, no excuses there, just two players who haven`t featured in the first team at some point this season. After weathering an opening 2 minutes of frenetic play the Latics settled and kept possession, we made Swindon chase, took the lead on 35 minutes when the impressive Callum McManaman followed up Ben Watsons penalty which had cannoned back of the post, McManaman slammed home to give the lead to Wigan and it seemed that we would go on to win comfortably.
Swindon though had different ideas and they set about their game, knocking the ball about well the league 2 side made a mockery of their lowly position and at times looked anything but a bottom tier club. It was no surprise when they drew level, on 40 minutes a cross from the right was met by Alan Connell 12 yards out, his looping header nestled into the back of the Latics net, 1-1.
The second half saw the Latics go into their shell and give a very poor performance that distinctly lacked any desire, Swindon got the goal that won the game in the 76 minute, Matt Ritchie shot, the ball struck Paul Benson, who was clearly off-side, and wrong footed Al-Habsi to put Swindon in front, 2-1.
No fight back from the Latics and the fact that they only had one attempt on target all game sums up what was truly a shocking performance.
Teams
Swindon Town: Foderingham; Caddis (Capt), Flint, McCormack, Kennedy; Ritchie, Ferry, Smith J, De Vita (Cibocchi 88); Connell (Magera 66), Murray (Benson 45)
Unused Subs: Smith P, Devera, Gabilondo, Thompson
Wigan Athletic: Al-Habsi, Caldwell, Lopez, Boyce, Mustoe, Watson, McArthur, Thomas (Gomez 61), Maloney (Moses 80), McManaman (Sammon 89), Di Santo
Unused Subs: Pollitt, Redmond, Dicko, Gohouri
Latics and Proud
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Shocker
You were pretty unlucky though on that second goal. But still…