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Match Report: Brentford 3-0 Wigan Athletic

The final game of the season with nothing to play for, there were changes in the team. That wouldn't allow us to avoid defeat though.

Tom Dulat/Getty Images

The game had no meaning for Gary Caldwell and his men. Following Rotherham United's 2-1 win over Reading in mid-week, the Millers now mathematically safe. It meant that Brentford would go into the game knowing we wouldn't be motivated to get the win. Caldwell making some changes to his side ahead of the game. Lee Nicholls and Billy Mackay both made starts, as Scot Carson and Jermaine Pennant made way; whilst Marc Antoine Fortune was brought in for the suspended James McClean.

The opening 20 minutes or so saw a nervy Brentford on the back foot slightly. The importance of the game clearly playing on their minds and it would be us who would actually have the ball in the back of the net. Gaten Bong and unfortunately ran the ball out play before finding Fortune to tap the ball home.

From there on the game really went Brentford's way, especially once the first goal went in.

Alex Pritchard curling the ball into back from 30 yards out after a foul. Nicholls was left no chance as the ball went into the back of the net, and the collective sigh of relief around the ground was clear, as was the free flowing football that now stemmed from Brentford.

Second half was more one way traffic, just a minute in it was 2-0 after Brentford midfielder Jota had been allowed to slip back our back three on goal which left him with the simplest of tasks. It killed the Wigan spirit and the team which had in recent weeks looked to have turned a corner couldn't do much now.

The third goal would come late on with Andre Gray getting a goal with ten minutes to go. The striker really epitomising what Wigan have been missing out on this season, a striker and one who can find the back of the net.

There was some joy for Wigan though, Lee Nicholls managing to make a penalty save to stop the game going to 4-0. The young goalkeeper you feel is being eyed up as a permanent man between the sticks for next year.

Finally the end of a woeful season, now time to be optimistic and look ahead to the next chapter in the Wigan Athletic story.