Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs PORT VALE

 18^th October 2025

10-MAN LATICS DEFY THE ODDS TO CLAIM A BIG WIN.

Wigan Athletic got back to winning ways with a hard-earned three points against Port Vale on Saturday afternoon.

Despite having to play well over a half with ten men following Dara Costelloe's dismissal, Asamoah Jr's first league goal of the 2025/26 Sky Bet League One campaign helped Ryan Lowe's men earn a much-needed victory in what was a massive show of grit, determination, and resilience. 

Leading up to the Sky Bet League One clash, the message in the week from Ryan Lowe was clear, ‘there is no time for disappointment, and we must go again’. It has been a challenging period for Latics, with their 3-0 victory against Doncaster Rovers being followed by five defeats and a draw.

Latics certainly responded to the recent adversity in the right way and despite losing Costelloe to a red card for dangerous play they took the opportunity to rectify their recent form in front of their home supporters as they got the better of a Vale who had made an identical start at the beginning of the 2025/26 League One season. 

Wigan started the encounter brightly and they carved a number of decent chances inside the opening 10 minutes, with Costelloe coming the closest after he ran off the back of Christian Saydee inside the six-yard box and almost prodded his shot beyond Joe Gauci in the Port Vale goal. 

Port Vale withstood the early pressure and eventually created a golden opportunity of their own. On his return to the Brick Community Stadium, former Latics man Devante Cole played in Dajuane Brown, who was denied by a simply outstanding last-ditch block from Fox.

A well-executed corner routine presented Latics with their next opportunity. Fraser Murray provided a deep cross from the right which was well met by Will Aimson but his header failed to stretch Gauci who collected the looped header.

Five minutes before half-time, and Vale had a chance at the other end. The visitors worked it to George Hall on the edge of the area, and while Wright got across well to block, his shot deflected over Sam Tickle before landing on the roof of the net.

After seeing a strike deflect just wide from the edge of the area, Costelloe was shown a straight red card from the resulting corner. The Latics striker attempted an overhead kick and accidentally caught the Port Vale man with his flailing boot. The referee adjudged the effort to be dangerous play and issued the red card.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 0-0 Port Vale.

Latics now faced the prospect of playing the second half with a numerical disadvantage, and Lowe made two changes at the break to react to Costelloe's dismissal. Jensen Weir entered the fray along with Asamoah replacing Wright and Ollie Cooper.

The changes sent a message that Latics were not going to sit back as they retained their two strikers and it was ASAMOAH who made a massive impact, breaking the deadlock in the 56th minute. The Latics substitute opted to gamble on Ronan Curtis' back header and got the ultimate reward when his prodded shot took a slight deflection to take it beyond Gauci and into the bottom corner. 

Having gained the lead Latics now set about protecting their advantage with a superb display of determined defending. They limited the visitors to very few significant opportunities and equally they looked to threaten at the other end with lively counter attacks. Saydee was a bundle of energy as he led the line with great strength and composure and when he made way for the fresh legs of Mullin late in proceedings he received a well-earned standing ovation.

With less than five minutes remaining Port Vale finally created a clear opportunity as Mo Faal got on the end of a right-sided cross, but thankfully for Latics, the former Wrexham AFC player glanced his header wide of the target.

Seven minutes were added at the end of the second half, and Latics had to dig deep but they showed their togetherness, grit, and character to see out the game and record a big win. 

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 1-0 Port Vale.

Scorers; Asamoah (56).

Attendance; 10,932

Wigan Athletic (3-5-2) --- Tickle; Fox, Aimson, Kerr; Wright, M. Smith, Cooper, Murray, Hungbo; Costelloe, Saydee; Subs--- Savin (G), Mullin (for Saydee), Robinson (for Hungbo), Weir (for Wright), McManaman, Asamoah (for Cooper), Raphael.

Port Vale (5-3-2) ---- Gauci; Kyle-John, Debrah, Heneghan, C. Hall, Curtis; G. Hall, Byers, Garrity; Brown, Cole; Subs--- Walters (for Byers), Faal (for G. Hall), Stockley (for Heneghan), Paton (for Brown), Johnson (for Kyle-John), Croasdale, Amos (G).

Referee; Mr. Ross Martin (Gloucestershire)