Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs PETERBOROUGH UNITED

 16^th August 2025

LATICS JUST ‘TWO’ GOOD FOR FERGIES POSH.

Latics made it two home wins in a week with an assured victory over Peterborough United

Two well directed headers from Christian Saydee and Jason Kerr helped Latics on their way to three points

Ryan Lowe’s men faced Darren Ferguson’s Posh in their second successive match at the Brick Community Stadium, looking to record their third straight win on home soil.

Switching their attention back to Sky Bet League One action following their Carabao Cup triumph, the manager was forced to reshuffle his pack due to injury and suspensions. New signing Morgan Fox replaced the suspended Sessegnon getting the nod ahead of Weir who was rested. The rest of the back line comprised captain Kerr and the previously suspended Will Aimson.

Ryan Trevitt, Tyrese Francois and Callum Wright started in the engine room and opening day attacking duo Saydee and Dara Costelloe returned to start up top. Jonny Smith was named among the substitutes on Saturday for the first time this season.

Wigan got the best possible start when Murray picked up the ball in the middle of the park and surged forward, beating a string of Posh defenders on his way to the by-line. He curled the ball into the area, and it was SAYDEE who rose above the defenders to power his header home.

Peterborough tried to find a quick reply and their wide players looked lively as they looked to take on their markers. The away side were keeping the ball and dominating possession but Wigans defence held their shape well and the closest the visitors came to an equaliser came after a corner-kick when a near post flick found Khela, who was arriving at pace, but his free shot, from close range, flew over the Wigan crossbar.

Just before the half hour, Captain Kerr got his name on the scoresheet after a well-delivered corner by Murray caused panic in the Peterborough area. The ball was partially cleared but Wright was able to volley goalwards was parried away by Vicente Reyes to KERR who was able to direct his header into the corner of the net and beyond the keeper’s desperate dive.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 2-0 Peterborough United.

Latics, who had probably been guilty of sitting on their lead in the first half, came racing out of the gate in the second period, with Saydee almost bagging a third. Costelloe did well to push the ball into space, twisting and turning his way through the Peterborough defence, before pulling the trigger. His shot was punted out wide, right into the path of the number nine, whose far-post strike was inches from goal. More chances came and went as Peterborough somehow avoided conceding a third.

Costelloe saw an effort go wide after Asamoah had made good ground on the wing, then the ex-Burnley youngster muscled his way through in the centre and had a strong appeal for a penalty as he was sent tumbling when through on goal. The referee waved play-on as he adjudged there to be insufficient contact.

With time running out Peterborough began to apply more consistent pressure and Latics began to try and manage the game and see out the remaining period. Tickle was alert in goal and he was tested on a number of occasions as Peterborough finally found their shooting boots. The visitors, who are still to record a point this season, continued to apply pressure during the final quarter and even the late introduction of Tuesday's matchwinner, Paul Mullin, for the increasingly frustrated Costelloe, did not stem the flow of the game. The return of Aimson to the back line alongside captain Kerr has however added a touch of steel to the defence and Wigan were able to see out the remaining minutes without undue alarm.

Full Time: Wigan Athletic 2-0 Peterborough United.

Scorers; Saydee (5), Kerr (28).

Attendance; 8,748

Wigan Athletic (3-1-4-2) --- Tickle; Aimson, Kerr, Fox; Francois; Wright, Trevitt; Murray, Hungbo; Costelloe, Saydee; Subs--- Watson (G), Weir (for Wright), Robinson (for Hungbo), Asamoah (for Saydee), Mullin (for Costelloe), J. Smith, Brenan.

Peterborough United (4-2-3-1) ---- Reyes; Johnston, Okagbue, Wallin, Mills; Collins, Khela; Hayes. O’Brien-Brady, Odoh; Ihionvein; Subs— B. Smith (G), Dornelly (for Mills), Lisbie (for Odoh), Lolos (for O’Brien-Brady), Nevett, Lindgren, Andrews.

Referee; Mr. Stephen Parkinson (Sandhurst, Berkshire).