Cywka and Holt fire Latics into next round of Cup

WIGAN ATHLETIC RESERVES 2
Cywka, 28
Holt 64
BLACKBURN ROVERS RESERVES 0

Report by Paul Chialton

Goals from Tomasz Cywka and Joe Holt gave Latics a 2-0 win over Blackburn Rovers, and qualification in the Quarter Finals of the Lancashire FA Senior Challenge Cup.

It was a well deserved win for Graham Barrow's men who played some nice flowing football throughout and kept their discipline off the ball, not letting their opponents carve out many opportunities.

The side was a mixture of youth and experience with Olivier Kapo completing the 90-minutes in his return from injury, and Modeste M'Bami given another chance to impress during his trial-period.

James McCarthy was also given a start and was arguably man-of the-match, controlling the midfield and moving forward with plenty of intent.

At the back Josh Langley gave a solid performance alongside Antonio Amaya. His timed tackles and command of the back-line was particularly impressive.

POLE POSITION - Cywka fires Latics into the lead

Cywka, who looked dangerous all afternoon, opened the scoring mid-way through the first-half, picking himself up after being challenged 30-yards out, riding another tackle and slotting calmly past Rovers 'keeper Frank Fielding.

The goal both settled Latics and boosted their confidence, stoking the ball round crisply and going in search of a second.

It came 20 minutes after the re-start when Jon Routledge's perfectly weighted through ball found Joe Holt, who delicately chipped over the helpless Fielding. A fantastic finish that killed off Blackburn.

Barrow's men will now face Rochdale in the Quarter Finals at Robin Park, with a date yet to be confirmed for the clash.

Latics: Nicholls; Buxton, Amaya, Langley, Edman (Mustoe, 28); M'Bami, Routledge; Kapo, McCarthy, Bouaouzan (McManaman, 45 (Holt, 57)); Cywka
Subs: Williams, Lambert