Latics get off mark with cup win

24 August 2010 21:58
Jordi Gomez and Victor Moses scored late goals as Wigan got their season on track with a 3-0 win at Hartlepool in the Carling Cup second round.[LNB] Having shipped 10 goals without reply in their first two top-flight games the Latics seemed ripe for a Carling Cup upset against the unbeaten League One side at Victoria Park.[LNB]But Sam Collins' third minute own goal set the visitors on their way before a stunning 76th minute free-kick from Gomez effectively snuffed out the home side's hopes.[LNB]It was just what Roberto Martinez - who made six changes to the side mauled by Chelsea on Saturday - had asked for, but there were times in the game when his side looked far from fluent.[LNB]And Martinez will know it might have been different had his goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi not pulled off a stunning fingertip save to deny Joe Gamble in the 28th minute.[LNB]There was much fortune about Wigan's opener as Collins and Steve Caldwell appeared to connect with a free-kick from Hugo Rodallega, with Collins credited with an own goal.[LNB]Evan Horwood got in with a well-timed header to deny Hugo Rodallega a clear run on goal as Wigan continued to enjoy a sustained period of possession.[LNB]But the home side fashioned their first chance in the 14th minute when Paul Murray struck a dangerous, bobbling shot which Al Habsi did well to hold first time.[LNB]Steve Haslam had to be on his toes in the 21st minute to chase back and stop a dangerous counter-attack by Rodallega, who paid the price for indecision on the edge of the box.[LNB]Hartlepool almost grabbed an equaliser in the 26th minute when Al Habsi failed to deal with a high ball into the box and Joe Gamble's attempted lob from the rebound sailed inches wide.[LNB]Two minutes later space opened up for Gamble again, who ran at the Wigan defence then unleashed a powerful 25-yard drive which Al Habsi did superbly to flap over the bar.[LNB]Andy Monkhouse should have done better with his 35th minute drive which flashed wide of target after Al Habsi had flapped a cross from Antony Sweeney into his path.[LNB]Martinez's men were suffering and relieved to see the final whistle, after which they regrouped to snuff out the threat from Pool, who had entered the game undefeated this season.[LNB]After a quiet start to the second half Rodallega had the first chance on the hour when he made space 20 yards from goal and hit a low shot which was deflected out for a corner.[LNB]With Wigan still holding onto their lead, Martinez made two changes in the 65th minute, introducing Victor Moses and James McCarthy for Rodallega and James McArthur respectively.[LNB]And in the 72nd minute Moses set up a good chance for Gomez, who flicked a shot with the outside of his left boot which flashed across the face of goal.[LNB]Spaniard Gomez finally breathed fire into Wigan's woeful start to the season in the 76th minute when he sent a stunning 25-yard free-kick in off the underside of the bar.[LNB]Wantaway star Charles N'Zogbia, reportedly on the brink of a move to Birmingham, was introduced by Martinez for the last 11 minutes in place of Mauro Boselli.[LNB]And with four minutes to go Moses ensured a rather flattering look about the scoreline when he fired past helpless home keeper Scott Flinders from the edge of the box.

Source: Team_Talk