Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

AFC WIMBLEDON vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

 22^nd November 2025

BETTONI HAS ‘SPECIAL’ LEAGUE DEBUT TO EARN LATICS BIG WIN.

Wigan Athletic's long search for their first away win was finally brought to an end as Ryan Lowe's men fought back from behind to beat AFC Wimbledon 2-1 on Saturday afternoon. 

The surprise hero was substitute and Latics Academy graduate Harrison Bettoni who marked his Sky Bet League One debut with a stunning brace, cancelling out Alistair Smith's opener,

Wigan made two changes from the side that clung on to claim a 1-1 draw at Exeter City in their last League One outing a fortnight ago. Tyrese Francois, making his first appearance since August, replaced the suspended Matt Smith and Dara Costelloe returned up front after serving his three-match suspension. 

Having impressed off the bench in the Vertu Trophy Group Stage tie at Stockport County, Harrison Bettoni is named in the matchday squad for the first time. The hosts' line-up contained a Wigan link, with former loanee Marcus Browne starting on the wing and it was the ex-Latics man who had the first opportunity when he rose highest to meet a right-sided cross, but his downward header was calmly collected by Sam Tickle.

The home side were having the majority of the possession, but it was Wigan’s more direct approach that was having more joy in the wet and windy conditions, and a fantastic team move down the left should have brought the opening goal. Raphael confidently charged down the wing and released the ball at the perfect time for Callum Wright who played in a delightful cross that just evaded Saydee and Costelloe before falling nicely for Murray but from close range the Scot somehow dragged his strike wide. 

Latics continued to look the more likely scorers and a long, curling ball by Aimson was dummied by Saydee to allow Costelloe to collect and he squared the ball to Wright who saw his rushed shot blocked by a desperate Wimbledon defence.

Latics created another golden chance in the 25th minute when Costelloe met Wright's inviting cross from the left wing, but his near-post flick header passed just over the crossbar. Wimbledon went close just before the interval when a free kick picked out the centre-half Johnson, but he failed to trouble Tickle as his free header was poorly directed.              

Half Time; AFC Wimbledon 0-0 Wigan Athletic.

The second half saw the away side continue to probe and put some nice patterns of play together, though that killer cutting edge evaded them. Then in the 67^th minute Raphael checked inside his marker and hit a curling shot from 25 yards that went over the crossbar.

Three minutes later, the hosts opened the scoring against the run of play. A long ball cross field ball looked to be well covered but Lewis, at full stretch volleyed the ball back into the box and SMITH was on hand to volley home off the crossbar, giving Tickle absolutely no chance.                                                                                                                          

Wigan may have struggled to find a flowing rhythm at times this season, but they always fight hard and that resilience was to the fore again as they quickly dragged themselves back level. A clumsy challenge on Murray earned Latics a free kick on the edge of the penalty area and newly introduced substitute Harrison BETTONI bent a remarkable free-kick into the top corner, with what was his first touch in league football.

Suddenly it was all Wigan as they probed for a winner, Bettoni nearly slipped Mullin in on goal but the Wrexham loanee failed to control the ball and the chance was gone. Then with three minutes left on the clock Mullin flicked a ball through for the on-rushing youngster and BETTONI calmly slid his right footed shot beyond the Dons keeper and into the bottom corner.

The November international break had provided Lowe, his coaching staff, and players with the chance to both recharge and reflect and they had used the rare fortnight without a league game to honestly review the beginning of the new campaign and pinpoint areas in which they can improve both in and out of possession. Latics had clearly made the most of the extra time to prepare for Saturday's long trip and they fully deserved their win.

Full Time; AFC Wimbledon 1-2 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; Bettoni (77), (87); Smith (70)

Attendance; 8,370

Wigan Athletic (3-5-2) --- Tickle; Aimson, Kerr, Fox; Murray, Weir, Wright, Francois, Raphael; Costelloe, Saydee; Subs--- Savin (G), Brenan, McManaman, Bettoni (for Costelloe), Mullin (for Saydee), Cooper (for Francois), Carragher (for Murray).

AFC Wimbledon (3-4-2-1) ---- Bishop; Lewis, Johnson, Ogundere; Seddon, Reeves, Smith, Sasu; Hippolyte, Browne; Orsi-Dadomo; Subs--- Mcdonnell (G), Bauer, Hutchinson, Maycock, Aslimwe (for Browne), Bugiel (for Orsi-Dadomo), Hackford (for Sasu).

Referee; Mr. Richard Eley (Derby).