Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs STOCKPORT COUNTY

 30^th August 2025

WIGAN BATTLE BACK TO EARN A WELL -DESERVED POINT.

 Wigan Athletic faced Dave Challinor’s County for the second time this week at the Brick Community Stadium, winning a point in what proved to be an eventful game. Christian Saydee was the goal-scoring hero for Latics when he arrived into the penalty area at the perfect time to steer home a fine cross by Fox with only 12 minutes remaining, and cancelling out Jayden Fevrier's early deflected goal for the Hatters.

Ryan Lowe selected the same starting XI that earned a 2-2 draw at Rotherham United last weekend but it was Stockport who began the better as they dominated possession with the home side struggling to get into their passing game. FEVRIER opened the scoring for the visitors after just four minutes, capitalising on a string of errors before watching his shot deflect before spinning past the wrong-footed Tickle. The goal rocked the home team, and it took time for them to grow into the game.

Costelloe had Wigan’s first real chance of the game, heading Callum Wright's cross over the bar. Moments later, Wright had a chance of his own, an edge-of-the-box strike saved by Corey Addai. Latics continued to plug away but it was the visitors who were controlling possession and only the occasional burst of trickery and pace from Hungbo offered much by way of hope for a leveller. Saydee came close following a Hungbo corner but he was unable to get his weight over the ball and the rising shot flew over the bar.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 0-1 Stockport County. 

The half time team changes saw Matt Smith replacing, the strangely out of sorts, Francois and Wigan came out after the break with much more purpose. They fashioned a range of chances in quick succession firstly a free kick by Murray looped a ball deep into the area and Fox fashioned a cross-cum-shot that brushed the roof of the net.

Latics were then inches from opening their account after a nice piece of combination play from Murray and Saydee allowed Will Aimson to burst into the County box. The defender produced a shot across the face of goal with the in-rushing Wright just failing to slide in and get a telling touch.

The game was now being played in the Stockport half and it seemed just a matter of time before Wigan found the equaliser.  A Callum Connolly tackle on the increasingly prominent Aimson won Wigan a free-kick in a dangerous area and Fox produced a sublime effort that rattled the underside of the bar, with the keeper well beaten, before bouncing back into play. Fox then showed his ability at the other end of the pitch, racing back into defence to make a crucial sliding tackle to deny Jack Diamond in the six-yard box, with Tickle cleaning up the loose strike that followed.

Mullin replaced Costelloe in the Wigan forward line, but it was County who had the next chance when Wooton found himself with a free header following a cross by Andrew, but his effort lacked power and Tickle made a difficult save look very easy with good positioning, reflexes and handling. Tickle produced an even better save on 76 minutes when he dove to punch clear a fierce shot by Andresson who had been set up by Wooton and seemed certain to score.

The save was to prove crucial as Wigan’s hard work finally paid off after 78 minutes when Saydee found the back of the net. Fox claimed the assist as he found space on the left flank before swinging a perfect cross into the box where SAYDEE lay in wait to steer it home.

Mullin almost doubled their tally just one minute later, sliding into the final third to meet Murray's cross, but the ball was just beyond his reach and he could only steer it beyond the far post.

Wigan continued to press with Saydee and Hungbo both seeing shots blocked and as Latics pushed further forward County also had their glimpses of goal with Norburn seeing his effort deflect wide. In the end a ‘point a piece’ was probably a fair reflection of a well-contested and entertaining game.

Full Time: Wigan Athletic 1-1 Stockport County.

Scorers; Saydee (78); Fevrier (4);

Attendance; 11,078

Wigan Athletic (3-5-2) --- Tickle; Aimson, Kerr, Fox; Murray, Francois, Wright, Trevitt, Hungbo; Saydee, Costelloe; Subs--- Watson (G), M. Smith (for Francois), Mullin (for Costelloe), Adeeko (for Trevitt), Asamoah (for Wright), Sessegnon, J. Smith.

Stockport County (3-4-2-1) ---- Addai; Hills, Connolly, Pye; Fevrier, Moxon, Norwood, Andrew; Mothersille, Diamond; Wootton; Subs--- Hinchcliffe (G), Fiorini (for Mothersille), O’Keeffe (for Fevrier), Andresson (for Diamond), Dodgson (for Moxon), Olowu (for Hills), Lowe.

Referee; Mr. Ross Joyce (Cleveland).