Wigan Athletic’s Charlie Hughes nets late, late winner to make EFL history

LONDON – England Under-20 international Charlie Hughes gave new meaning to the phrase “late winner” when he scored after 20 minutes of second-half stoppage time to earn Wigan Athletic a 1-0 win over Wycombe Wanderers in England’s third tier on Jan 23.

The unusually long period of added time at the end of the League One match came about because of an injury to referee Adam Herczeg after a fall early in the second half.

Fourth official Steven Rushton replaced Herczeg on the pitch but the restart was delayed while a search was conducted in the crowd at the DW Stadium for a qualified fourth official.

Both teams missed chances to take the lead after play resumed but, with the game seconds away from a goal-less draw, a cross from Callum McManaman found centre-half Hughes in the box.

The defender caught the ball on the volley to score the latest goal recorded in a match in the long history of the English Football League (EFL) to win the game.

“It was a strange one, a prolonged one because of the delay,” said Wigan boss Shaun Maloney of the match.

“It was probably tough to watch, because it was tough to play in conditions that weren’t easy. It was a really difficult game but to finally break them down and get that winner, the players are delighted.

“It felt like another big moment for us and it’s one of those moments where you just have to enjoy it – and we did.”

Both managers did not speak much about the delay and preferred to focus on their analysis of the game.

For Wycombe boss Matt Bloomfield, it was a case of “little things” at the end that made the difference.

“I’m obviously disappointed and frustrated about another point that’s got away from us,” he said.

“It actually felt like we were in the ascendency in the latter stages of the game, we brought on fresh legs and I felt like it had the desired effect.

“The boys are distraught at giving away a point in the manner we did. The goal at the end, there’s a multitude of little things that should have been done better. All those things add up and we end up with the ball in the back of our net.”

The goal after 20 minutes of stoppage time was later than the one on record in the English Premier League.

Last-place Sheffield United netted in the 13th minute of a wild period of added time to salvage a 2-2 draw with West Ham United just over the weekend on Jan 21.

Wigan’s last-gasp goal moved them into the top half of the League One standings, in 11th place with 34 points. Wycombe are 17th on 30 points, four above the relegation zone.

Portsmouth top the table on 56 points. REUTERS