Coventry City

The Sky Blues U23s host Wigan Athletic at the Alan Higgs Centre this afternoon, with kick off scheduled for 1:00pm. Here’s everything you need to know about our opponents.

Last Time Out…

The U23s’ unbeaten start to the Professional Development League ended with a 2-1 defeat to Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

City started their trip to South Yorkshire well with both Fabio Tavares and Blaine Rowe going close in the early stages.

Cian Tyler was called into action to stop a Kyron Gordon header but moments later the visitors took the lead when Rowe’s cross found Tavares at the back post to open the scoring!

A minute into the second half saw the Blades awarded a penalty which Zac Brunt bringing the hosts level from the spot.

Jordan Shipley went close with a shot across goal but the home side took the lead when Regan Slater headed in a rebound after Tyler had done well to deny Angello Cappelo.

City almost equalised late on when Bright Enobakhare’s chip to the back post alluded the head of Tyler Walker as United ran out winners in a tight game.

The Opposition

The Latics finished 6^th in the 2020/21 Professional Development League and are currently on a run of three successive wins in the competition with a 1-0 victory at Colchester United last time out.  

The visitors began the match on the front foot with Divin Baningime and Harry McGee going close with early efforts. The hosts grew into the game with Chay Cooper having an effort deflected onto the cross bar just before half time.

Ten minutes after the break saw Wigan found the decisive goal when after some good hold up play by Tom Costello, he set-up McGee who fired into the bottom corner.

The best chance the Essex side had to draw level was when Harry Beadle headed goal bound from a corner but Latics’ keeper Sam Tickle was on hand to stop the shot.

Last Six Games

Won – Colchester United U23s 0-1 Wigan Athletic U23s (Professional Development League)
Won – Crewe Alexandra U23s 1-3 Wigan Athletic U23s (Professional Development League)
Won – Wigan Athletic U23s 2-1 Charlton Athletic U23s (Professional Development League)
Won – Leeds United U23s 1-2 Wigan Athletic U23s (Premier League Cup)
Lost – Ipswich Town U23s 3-0 Wigan Athletic U23s (Professional Development League)
Lost – Wigan Athletic U23s 0-3 Bristol City U23s (Professional Development League)

Last Time We Met

The two sides last met in was in March 2021 when the Sky Blues ran out 3-0 winners.

The Latics had the first chance when Sam Opeaon brought the ball down, but his shot didn’t trouble Marko Marosi.

At the other end, Matty Godden picked out the run of Tyler Walker, but he was brought down on the edge of the area and the referee sent off Jack Sanders.

Walker and Blaine Rowe then went close but the hosts were finally rewarded when Bapaga played in Godden who fired in to give the Sky Blues the lead.

Wigan hit the cross bar just after half time with Jonny Ngandu having the same luck at the other end.

But he would not be denied again, as he beat two men before finding the back of the net from a tight angle to double City’s advantage.

Substitute Jordan Young then crossed the ball to Julien Dacosta who made the game safe with the hosts third of the afternoon.

Sky Blues Xl: Marko Marosi (GK), Julien Dacosta, Blaine Rowe, Jordon Thompson, Josh Reid, Jack Burroughs, Josh Eccles, Jonny Ngandu (C), Will Bapaga, Tyler Walker, Matty Godden.

Subs: Keelan Fallows (GK), Joe Newton, Jordan Young, Dan Lafferty, Fabio Tavares.

Northern Section Table: