Report

Chelsea must have thought that they were back at Everton, although a goal inside 2 minutes wasn't quite as bad as a goal inside 10 seconds! A Wigan striker went through and was bundled over by what was an honest effort to win the ball by Rashid Richardson but an effort, nonethless, that forced the referee to point to the penalty spot. The penalty sent Richardson the wrong way.

Wigan were sharper in their attempts to win the ball against a Chelsea team who often wanted a little too much time to bring the ball under control; possession was often given away too easily before the ball could reach the front line, putting unnecessary pressure on the visitor's defence.

After the first quarter of an hour, Chelsea, despite playing against the wind and up the slight slope, were beginning to create a foothold in the game. Half chances came and went but finally one was taken on the half hour. Maiesh Rhooms angled the ball forward from midfield and Babatope Olajide, making his debut, got his head to the ball ahead of the Wigan keeper to pull Chelsea level.

Wigan were still dangerous; far from the team that became everyone's whippping boys at last year's annual tournament. Aided by the wind, their keeper was hitting long and high clearances well into the Chelsea half, although the centre back pairing of Groener and Latham dealt well with most of them.

Despite holding firm defensively, there was a double error minutes before half time that saw Wigan regain the lead. A corner was cleared, but your webmaster and reporter was a little slow coming off the left hand post, allowing a Wigan player to be called onside before he beat Richardson with a shot between his right arm and his near post. Wigan led 2-1 at the break.

Chelsea started slightly the better in the second half, although Wigan were still dangerous with their pace on the break. A couple of chances came and went before Chelsea drew level in unusual circumstances.

Theo Clyne was working his way towards goal through the centre but was intercepted by a thumped rearbound clearance from one of the Wigan players. Much to his horror and the horror of his team-mates, the clearance turned out to be a stunning shot into the top corner of the net. 2-2.

Your web master was then replaced by Moses Hemans at left back and took a 5 minute break before replacing the referee from Wigan's side (Alan baybutt). Whilst recouperating, Theo Clyne went on a mazy run following Mark crick's pass before slotting in to put Chelsea 3-2 ahead. A superb goal.

When the 4th goal came, it effectively settled the outcome. Maiesh Rhooms hit a longish shot from a tight angle from the left and it squeezed in high at the near post. Your webmaster, reporter and now referee had to look twice, three times and four times before asking the goalkeeper whether it had gone in.

Wigan almost had a penalty late on but an offside flag brought play back to Chelsea's relief. Wigan battled on and with almost the last kick of the game brought it back to 4-3.

A good game played in a superb spirit. Roll on next season!