Exeter City suffers déjà vu as chances in the FA Cup go begging once more.
Just as happened in the league meeting, the Grecians were dominant for large periods, but were hit on the break to succumb to defeat and crash out of the FA Cup in round one.
Exeter City experienced Groundhog Day as for the second time in three weeks, Wigan Athletic came away with a 2-0 win at St James Park. Just as happened in the league meeting, the Grecians were dominant for large periods, but were hit on the break to succumb to defeat and crash out of the FA Cup in round one.
Thelo Aasgaard slammed in the opening goal just before the hour, and as City pushed for a leveller, Steven Sessegnon curled a stunning shot into the top corner from 25 yards for his first goal for the club in the 87 th minute to book the Latics’ spot in the second round draw.
For City, it was another disappointing afternoon. It is now ten defeats in the last 12, and the winless streak has extended to nine, eight of them losses. Just five goals in those 12 games have been scored. It is the longest run without a win since City went 12 without victory between November 2000 and January 2001.
Read More – Exeter City 0 Wigan Athletic 2 – Grecians crash out of FA Cup
“It is not good enough, we all have to get better,” manager Gary Caldwell said. “We have to pick the team every week to win and the stats in every game show what needs to get better, we are conceding too many goals, and not scoring enough.
“We have to stick together and create, and then turn the chances into goals. We are doing a lot right to the final action and eventually we will score more than zero goal
Over the course of the two games, City have had 50 shots against Wigan, but just seven on target. “That tells the story,” Caldwell said. “We are creating great opportunities, creating inside the box, but you have to put the ball in the net or make the keeper work more than we are, and too often, the shot misses the target. We lnow what we need to do, work hard and believe, come back stronger and better.”
Caldwell made three changes from the side who were knocked out of the Carabao Cup 3-2 by Middlesbrough on Tuesday night. Pierce Sweeney returned from suspension, while Jack Aitchison and Yanic Wildschut were given starts. Out dropped Kyle Taylor to the bench, and Jack Fitzwater and Demetri Mitchell with injuries, the latter suffering an ACL injury which will rule him out for the season.
Exeter made a bright start to the game, with Vincent Harper seeing a shot deflect wide and Alex Hartridge heading wide from a Harry Kite cross. Wigan’s first attempt came in the 26th minute when Scott Smith let fly from distance, but Vili Sinisalo made a superb fingertip save to divert the ball over the bar.
Zak Jules saw a header well saved, before James Scott fired Exeter’s best chance over the bar after a great pull back from Wildschut, while Ryan Trevitt scuffed a shot into the arms of Sam Tickle, before the visitors struck and took the lead.
Against the run of play, Wigan found a good opportunity to shoot, and did so. Sinisalo made a fantastic save to deny Jordan Jones but Aasgaard was the first to the ball and poked in to put the visitors ahead
City pushed for the leveller to earn a replay, but in the closing five minutes, Wigan put the nail in Exeter City’s FA Cup coffin. Sessegnon picked up the ball on the edge of the box and curled a wonderful effort into the top-right corner, beating Sinisalo and sending the Latics through to the second round.
“It is a huge disappointment being out of the cup as we wanted another cup run,” Caldwell said. City’s next game is away to Fleetwood in League One on Saturday, which feels like a must-win game. The manager added: “We aren’t searching for the answers, know exactly what is going wrong, and have to work to improve tha
