Tuesday 2nd February 2010
FA Cup, Fourth Round Replay
Wigan Athletic 0-2 Notts County



Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez once again rang the changes for this game, but he made sure he had his big guns on the bench. Chris Kirkland and Mario Melchiot were missing as expected, although Maynor Figueroa did start. Charles N’Zogbia, Hendry Thomas, James McCarthy and Hugo Rodallega all found themselves bench warming as Scott Sinclair, Jordi Gomez and Jason Koumas were brought back into the fold.

The game itself was witnessed by a sparse crowd in awful, wet weather conditions and both sides struggled to get to grips with the conditions. Jason Scotland, whose place is under threat by the two new signings, didn’t do himself any favours when he missed an early chance and this seemed to rattle the team, as gradually Notts County began to get into their rhythm with former West Bromwich hit man Lee Hughes causing the defence one or two problems as the half wore on. In fact, by the time referee blew for half time it was the visitors who were looking the most likely to open the scoring for the evening.

Neither manager opted for any changes at the start of the second half and it was the hosts who were creating far and away the best goal scoring chances for the opening ten minutes or so. County though weathered the storm superbly and the DW Stadium was rocked when with just fifteen minutes remaining Stephen Hunt pit the League Two minnows in front.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, Gary Caldwell then scored his second goal for his new club, but this time the ball was put past the stranded Stojkovic and the travelling County fans were in heaven, looking forward to a trip to Fulham for a FA Cup fifth round game that they will firmly believe they can win.

Wigan Athletic now have the serious business of staying in the Premier League to contend with, and for this year at least, there will be no distractions.

WIGAN ATHLETIC, Vladimir Stojkovic, Emmerson Boyce, (Hugo Rodallega 86), Gary Caldwell, Titus Bramble, Maynor Figueroa, Scott Sinclair, Mohamed Diame, (James McCarthy 61), Jordi Gomez, Jason Koumas, (N’Zogbia 61), Paul Scharner, Jason Scotland. Subs not used, Mike Pollitt, Antonio Amaya, Ben Watson, Hendry Thomas

NOTTS COUNTY, Kasper Schmeichel, John Thompson, Michael Edwards, Steven Hunt, Johnnie Jackson, Craig Westcarr, (Karl Hawley 73), Ricky Ravenhill, Jamie Clapham, Neal Bishop, Ben Davies,(Matt Hamshaw 90), Lee Hughes, (Luke Rodgers 73). Subs not used, Russell Hoult, Graeme Lee, Ben Fairclough, Ade Akinbiyi.

Goal scorers, Stephen Hunt 75 mins, Gary Cladwell (og) 78 mins
Booked, Ricky Ravenhill 36 mins

Attendance, 5,519