First Team
LOUIS MOULT | CINCH CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYER OF THE SEASON
15th May 2024
United were given a tough workout by their Premiership opponents this afternoon as, despite having much of the play, they lost out in the end by 3-1.
The impressive Mauro Boselli scored a double before spectacular strikes late on by Victor Moses of Wigan and then Danny Cadamarteri completed the scoring.
Both sides had their chances in the first half and Goodwillie was handed an early opportunity following a Dixon free kick which was cleared to Robertson at the edge of the box and, rather than opting to shoot himself, he slid the ball to the striker in space and his attempt was straight into the hands of Al Habsi in the Wigan goal. Mauro Boselli then almost caught out Pernis at the near post with a snap shot, with the United keeper reacting well to hold. After a spell of Wigan pressure United then fashioned three great openings in the space of minutes. First a great passing move finished with a Dixon cross into the area which was desperately cleared to Buaben at the edge of the box, who evaded a tackle then saw his shot blocked before Dixon then put Casalinuovo clean on goal, only for slight hesitation to result in the shot being blocked by Al Habsi. Then came the best chance of the trio when a dangerous cross from the right was flicked wide by Casalinuovo at the back post with the goal gaping. Just when the Tangerines passing play was starting to see them dominate the visitors then went ahead after 34 minutes. Rodallega slipped the ball inside to Boselli who finished well from ten yards as United were caught cold.
Second Half: United were caught out again right at the start of the half as Wigan moved 2-0 ahead. A cross from the left was met with a simple header into the back of the net from five yards by Boselli who was given plenty of space. There were no fewer than five personnel changes made by Peter Houston shortly after as United tried to get back into the game and Jon Daly, with his first touch, would have tested the goalkeeper with a bullet header but for the deflection off a defender. Daly rose highest to head the ball towards goal from a Conway corner in the last quarter of the game and somehow Al Habsi parried the ball up into the air then clawed the ball away from Cadamarteri who was waiting virtually on the goal line in anticipation of an easy chance. With eight minutes remaining a quite sublime strike from Victor Moses rounded off the scoring for Wigan. Boselli headed into the path of Moses who unleashed a stunning volley into the net off the underside of the bar from 20 yards. There was at least something to cheer for the United fans two minutes later when sub Danny Cadamarteri scored an equally brilliant goal, turning and sending a dipping half volley over Al Habsi and into the top corner from all of 25 yards. Myrie-Williams almost joined in the feast of spectacular goals right on full time as he unleashed a left foot drive off the underside of the bar with Al Habsi helpless. The ball then fell to Cadamarteri who set up Buaben but at the last minute he was blocked and the chance was gone.
United Pernis, Watson, Kenneth, Dods (Daly 55), Dixon (Douglas 59), Dillon, Buaben, Gomis, S Robertson (Myrie-Williams 59), Casalinuovo (Cadamarteri 55), Goodwillie (Conway 55). Subs not used - Banks, Russell, Dow, Hill.
The impressive Mauro Boselli scored a double before spectacular strikes late on by Victor Moses of Wigan and then Danny Cadamarteri completed the scoring.
Both sides had their chances in the first half and Goodwillie was handed an early opportunity following a Dixon free kick which was cleared to Robertson at the edge of the box and, rather than opting to shoot himself, he slid the ball to the striker in space and his attempt was straight into the hands of Al Habsi in the Wigan goal. Mauro Boselli then almost caught out Pernis at the near post with a snap shot, with the United keeper reacting well to hold. After a spell of Wigan pressure United then fashioned three great openings in the space of minutes. First a great passing move finished with a Dixon cross into the area which was desperately cleared to Buaben at the edge of the box, who evaded a tackle then saw his shot blocked before Dixon then put Casalinuovo clean on goal, only for slight hesitation to result in the shot being blocked by Al Habsi. Then came the best chance of the trio when a dangerous cross from the right was flicked wide by Casalinuovo at the back post with the goal gaping. Just when the Tangerines passing play was starting to see them dominate the visitors then went ahead after 34 minutes. Rodallega slipped the ball inside to Boselli who finished well from ten yards as United were caught cold.
Second Half: United were caught out again right at the start of the half as Wigan moved 2-0 ahead. A cross from the left was met with a simple header into the back of the net from five yards by Boselli who was given plenty of space. There were no fewer than five personnel changes made by Peter Houston shortly after as United tried to get back into the game and Jon Daly, with his first touch, would have tested the goalkeeper with a bullet header but for the deflection off a defender. Daly rose highest to head the ball towards goal from a Conway corner in the last quarter of the game and somehow Al Habsi parried the ball up into the air then clawed the ball away from Cadamarteri who was waiting virtually on the goal line in anticipation of an easy chance. With eight minutes remaining a quite sublime strike from Victor Moses rounded off the scoring for Wigan. Boselli headed into the path of Moses who unleashed a stunning volley into the net off the underside of the bar from 20 yards. There was at least something to cheer for the United fans two minutes later when sub Danny Cadamarteri scored an equally brilliant goal, turning and sending a dipping half volley over Al Habsi and into the top corner from all of 25 yards. Myrie-Williams almost joined in the feast of spectacular goals right on full time as he unleashed a left foot drive off the underside of the bar with Al Habsi helpless. The ball then fell to Cadamarteri who set up Buaben but at the last minute he was blocked and the chance was gone.
United Pernis, Watson, Kenneth, Dods (Daly 55), Dixon (Douglas 59), Dillon, Buaben, Gomis, S Robertson (Myrie-Williams 59), Casalinuovo (Cadamarteri 55), Goodwillie (Conway 55). Subs not used - Banks, Russell, Dow, Hill.
