Rovers tumbled out of the FA Cup in the Third Round for the fifth successive season, after Wigan Athletic were given a helping hand in completing the comeback over their Lancashire neighbours, as the Latics’ winner in added time saw them advance, through a 3-2 victory.
Following Rovers’ previous game, which saw them draw 0-0 at home to Huddersfield Town in the league, Rovers took a different approach to their FA Cup visit to Wigan Athletic. Tony Mowbray made five changes to the team that played at Ewood Park, last time out. Aynsley Pears, Tayo Edun, Daniel Ayala, Tyrhys Dolan and Sam Gallagher all came into the side, as Thomas Kaminski and Reda Khadra both dropped to the bench. Ryan Nyambe, who has been the centre of interest in this January window was omitted from the squad due to a hamstring injury, whilst Harry Pickering was also unavailable after picking up his own hamstring injury in Saturday’s goalless draw. Hayden Carter, Scott Wharton and Jacob Davenport were an unavailable trio. With that quintet unavailable for selection, Mowbray opted have five academy graduates on the bench; Tyler Magloire, Joe Rankin-Costello, Ashley Phillips, Jake Garrett and Adam Wharton – younger brother of Scott – were all selected as part of the squad, with the latter three making their first-ever senior matchday squad.
As both sides made their way out onto the DW Stadium’s pitch, a sense of optimism grew in the air as each team’s supporters began to believe that this year would indeed, be their year. As referee Tim Robinson’s whistle got the game underway, a packed away end began their chorus of chanting. Rovers were looking to get beyond the Third Round for the first time since 2017, whilst Wigan Athletic were looking to replicate their heroics of 2013, where they won the competition, beating a star-studded Manchester City side, 1-0, courtesy of a Ben Watson goal.
Rovers were quick out the traps, as they converged onto Wigan goalie, Jamie Jones, who was caught outside of his area. Lewis Travis tried to take advantage of the loose ball inside the opening minute of the game but was unable to angle his attempt on target.
In the fifth minute, Wigan got themselves over the halfway line, as Tom Pearce tried to angle a cross towards the towering figure of Will Keane, but the former Manchester United academy striker couldn’t get his nod on target.
After 11 minutes had passed, Rovers managed to craft their second opportunity of the tie, which tested Jamie Jones more than the first. Sam Gallagher managed to get a shot off at goal from a tight angle, but forced the goalie into a smart save. Ben Brereton Díaz soon got himself in on the act, but he couldn’t keep his effort down.
Three minutes later, Rovers earnt a corner after John Buckley showed his class by jinking past a few Wigan men and trying his luck at goal from close-range, but despite saving, Jones could not prevent a corner, which Rovers failed to capitalise on.
In the 21st minute, Jan Paul van Hecke was booked after the Dutchman fouled Will Keane.
Rovers were forced into a change after half an hour, as Sam Gallagher was withdrawn due to injury and replaced by Reda Khadra.
Tyrhys Dolan soon found himself booked after he fouled Tom Pearce.
Ben Brereton Díaz had the away fans in raptures in the 44th minute, as they thought they’d taken the lead after Joe Rothwell had played a fantastically weighted through ball into the Chilean’s path, yet, after a fine finish, Brereton Díaz was denied his 21st goal of the campaign by the linesman’s flag.
As half-time approached, referee Tim Robinson called for an extra two minutes of time to be allocated onto the end of the first period.
Although Rovers were able to earn a corner in the first minute of added time, they were again unable to make anything of it, as soon after, the whistle was blown, which signalled the end of the first period.
Leam Richardson would have been pleased with how his side had played in the first-half as they had shown some threat on the counter, whilst also keeping a very potent Rovers side at bay. The former Rovers defender would have been disappointed that, despite their threat, they were unable to muster a shot at goal in the first period.
Tony Mowbray would have also been content with his side’s display, but would have lamented that his side had failed to find the back of the net when they’d been on top in the first period. Despite that, Rovers had displayed ample quality on the ball by holding most of the possession and keeping Wigan pinned into their half for most of the period.
Following the half-time break, Rovers made their second substitution of the game, as Bradley Johnson replaced Darragh Lenihan, at centre-back, as the second-half was soon started.
Four minutes after the restart, Rovers managed to smash themselves ahead, courtesy of a Reda Khadra ‘special’. After Joe Rothwell found the substitute, the on-loan Brighton and Hove Albion loanee cut inside onto his right-foot after dancing past a few bodies before finding the bottom left-hand corner of the goal, to put Rovers ahead at 1-0, as Jones was left helpless.
In the 58th minute, Rothwell went on one of his trademark runs before playing a one-two with Khadra. The midfielder received the return pass before seeing his shot saved by the busy Jones.
On the hour mark, Ben Brereton Díaz nearly scored the goal of his career, as a Khadra cross sat up perfectly for an overhead kick. After letting the ball bounce, he attempted the spectacular, but it edged just wide of the right-hand post.
One minute after Brereton Díaz’s effort, Wigan managed to muster up the energy to go up the other end and equalise, as Max Power came back to haunt Rovers once more, as he hit a shot that sadly, didn’t live up to his name. After finding space from just outside the box, the former Sunderland man hit a tame shot that seemed to have wrongfooted Aynsley Pears in goal, as the ball trickled past the goalie and nestled into the middle of the goal, as the hosts equalised at 1-1.
In the 63rd minute, Wigan decided to make a double change as Tom Pearce and Tendayi Darikwa were replaced by Gavin Massey and James McClean.
A minute later, John Buckley became the third player to be booked by referee, Tim Robinson.
Rovers soon made their third of five permitted substitutions on the 70th minute, as Dan Butterworth replaced John Buckley.
James McClean soon caused carnage in the Rovers penalty area, as his 71st minute corner saw Pears miss the claim. Jason Kerr connected with the aerial ball as Pears was nowhere to be seen and was unlucky not to put the Latics ahead as his header crashed off the crossbar, before Rovers cleared.
Wigan did managed to get themselves ahead, two minutes later, in amazing circumstances. A deep Wigan free-kick was floated into the Rovers box, as Jack Whatmough connected with the aerial ball and tried to guide it towards the near-post. Unfortunately for Pears, he soon guaranteed his name to be on the back pages, as he somehow managed to fumble the ball into the back of his own net, as Wigan turned the game around at 2-1.
In the 79th minute, Wigan made another double change as Thelo Aasgaard and Stephen Humphrys came on for Will Keane and Tom Naylor.
Two minutes later, Wigan were forward again as Gavin Massey tried to tee up Callum Lang, who was lurking around the penalty area, but the striker’s effort cleared the crossbar.
In the 86th minute, Wigan’s goalscorer, Max Power was booked following a mischievous foul on Joe Rothwell.
As Rovers began to pile on the pressure, they managed to get the equaliser they craved, right at the death, courtesy of Daniel Ayala’s back-post header. A wide free-kick which was whipped in by Reda Khadra, towards the back-post, saw Ayala rise highest at the back-post to nod the ball past Jamie Jones to draw level at 2-2, as the Spaniard fistpumped in celebration, before making his way back towards the halfway line in the hope of finding the winning goal.
Following the addition of five minutes of added time onto the end of the game, that winning goal did come, but not for Rovers, as Wigan managed to pile the pressure onto Rovers and put their name into the hat for the Fourth Round draw with a fine, but fortunate, finish. After Wigan earnt a corner, the ball was cleared out to Thelo Aasgaard who faked a left-footed cross before swinging a deep ball in with his right-foot that bypassed every Rovers player in the box, including ‘keeper Aynsley Pears, before nestling into the top right-hand corner of the goal, as the DW Stadium erupted in joy at the winner, at 3-2.
Despite Rovers’ late push forward, they were unable to threaten Wigan’s goal, as the Latics crowd erupted with joy, following the final whistle, as they secured their place in the Fourth Round, after starting in the First Round of the competition and stretched their unbeaten home run over Rovers to 12; with Rovers’ last victory at the DW Stadium coming 15 years ago, when Rovers ran out 3-0 winners on New Year’s Day 2007.
This wasn’t Rovers’ finest game, yet the team still managed to perform to an acceptable level against a side who were focussed on defending in the first period. Although the side were let down by individual errors today, their character to come back from conceding twice was enlightening. Unfortunately, Rovers were left with blows to their side today, regardless of the game’s result, with the injuries to Sam Gallagher, Darragh Lenihan, Harry Pickering and Ryan Nyambe – the latter duo were ruled out pre-match – we can only hope that these injuries are not long-term and the lads can get back as soon as possible. This result could ultimately prove to be a blessing in disguise, however, as it allows the side to now focus on their fine league campaign.
And focussing on the league campaign is exactly what we’ll do now, as Rovers are now only left with their Championship games to end this season off. Next up for the Blues, is a trip to the desolate Cardiff City Stadium, where both, Rovers and Steve Morison’s Bluebirds will be playing in-front of an empty stadium on Saturday 15th January at 3pm. Following that tie Rovers are again on the road, as they make the back over to Yorkshire to face Grant McCann’s Hull City, who have now recovered from COVID. That rescheduled Boxing Day tie will be on Wednesday 19th January at 7:45pm, at the MKM Stadium. Then, five days later, Rovers are back at Ewood Park, on Monday 24th January at 7:45pm, where they play host to Chris Wilder’s Middlesbrough in-front of the Sky Sports cameras.
