Report by SJG

FRIENDLY

CHORLEY F. C vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

 5^th July 2025

LATICS START AS THEY MEAN TO CONTINUE.

Wigan Athletic started pre-season as they mean to go on, defeating National League North side Chorley on Saturday afternoon. 

It was a productive afternoon for Ryan Lowe’s side at the Victory Park Stadium, as Latics set the tone for the rest of pre-season with a bright performance that pleased the 1,000-plus travelling supporters. 

On a day when Dara Costelloe's quick-fire brace proved to be the difference, Latics handed invaluable match minutes to 22 players, who all gave a positive account of themselves.

For Latics, it was a return to a location that they know very well, as they reignited a historic rivalry against Chorley that dates back to the Club's non-league days. 

Latics and Chorley have met many times throughout the years, across competitions such as the Lancashire Combination, Northern Premier League, Lancashire Junior Cup, Lancashire Senior Cup, Lancashire Floodlit Cup, Lancashire Combination Cup, and the Northern Premier League Cup.

After finishing the 2024/25 season on the back of an eight-game unbeaten run, there has been renewed optimism in the summer from Latics supporters that something special could be on the cards. 

The Tics returned to pre-season on Monday, 23 June, and have been giving their everything to ensure they will be ready for their season opener against Northampton Town. Training at Christopher Park has been positive and extremely upbeat, with players still having smiles on their faces despite the gruelling work they’ve been undergoing. 

With a real feel-good factor around the entire Football Club, the impetus was on Latics to begin their run of friendlies as they mean to go on. And they did just that, making a fast-paced start at Victory Park Stadium.

Inside the first 10 minutes, Paul Mullin was presented with a golden opportunity to open his Latics account when he latched onto a under-hit header back, but his first-time shot soared over the crossbar. Ronan Darcy then nearly broke the back of the net with a 25-yard strike which just whistled past the post. 

Mullin continued to get himself in the right positions during his first outing in Latics colours, curling a shot just wide from the right side of the area, before coming inches away from meeting a superb Asamoah Jr cross. 

Out of nothing, Latics somehow found themselves behind after dominating proceedings. A ball into the box found an unmarked CARR at the back post, and the Chorley frontman composed himself before beating Sam Tickle in the six-yard box.

Half Time; Chorley F. C. 1-0 Wigan Athletic.

Latics switched XIs at the interval, and almost got back on level terms four minutes into the second half. Jonny Smith was allowed to drive inside and float an inviting cross into the penalty area, and Jensen Weir timed his run perfectly to meet it, but guided his effort just wide of the post. 

After a cagey period in the second half, Latics rocked the home side with two goals in as many minutes, and they both came from Costelloe. First, on 77 minutes, COSTELLOE picked out the far corner after a neat one-two with fellow new recruit Christian Saydee. A minute later and COSTELLOE found himself one-on-one with the home keeper and finished confidently into the corner.

Latics, who almost added a third through a disallowed Costelloe strike, held on and started their pre-season in the right way!

Full Time; Chorley F. C. 1-2 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; Costelloe (77), (78); Carr (35);

Attendance; 2,243

Wigan Athletic (3-5-2) --- Tickle; McHugh, Kerr, Mellish; McManaman, Adeeko, Darcy, Francois, Hungbo; Asamoah Jr, Mullin; Subs—Corran (for Tickle), Aimson (for Kerr), Robinson (for McHugh), Marni-Miller (for Mellish), Rankine (for McManaman), Graham (for Adeeko), M. Smith (for Darcy), Weir (for Francois), J. Smith (for Hungbo), Costelloe (for Mullen), Saydee (for Asamoah);

Chorley (4-4-2) --- Barry; Bird, Ellis, Wilson, Trialist; Brindle, Calveley, Lalkovic, Whitehouse; Carr, Hall; Subs--- Layton (for Whitehouse), Trialist (for Carr), Green (for Barry), Preece (for Bird);

Referee; Mr. Jonathon Chadwick (Lancashire);