Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs BURTON ALBION

 2^nd December 2025

‘DOUR FARE’ BUT LATICS WIN TO CLIMB THE TABLE.

Wigan Athletic extended their current unbeaten stretch of games to eight with a 1-0 win against Burton Albion on a cold Tuesday night.

The game did little to warm the faithful who ventured out but at least the result, achieved courtesy of a decisive goal that came five minutes before the end of the first period via Paul Mullin, handed Ryan Lowe's men all three points and continued their positive momentum in Sky Bet League One. 

The victory moved Latics up six places in the table to 11th, putting them in good stead to attack their remaining December fixtures.

After naming an unchanged side in the previous two games, Ryan Lowe opted to freshen things up, recalling Matt Smith and Mullin to start from the off in place of Tyrese Francois and Callum Wright.

The visitors made four changes from their defeat to Leyton Orient at the weekend. Terence Vancooten replaced Udoka Godwin-Malifé, missing through the injury he sustained against Orient, while Julian Larsson took Charlie Webster's vacant spot. The other two changes saw Fábio Tavares and Jasper Moon come in for Tyrese Shade and former Latics man Toby Sibbick. 

Wigan started brightly and were quickly onto the front foot as they looked to press their opponents into making an early error. With Mullin partnering Dara Costelloe and Christian Saydee being deployed in a deeper, attacking midfield position, the hosts had a different kind of focal point for their midweek clash. 

It took the home side less than two minutes to force the opening chance of the night. After fighting to help the ball into the box on the second phase, Costelloe improvised to hook an effort on target despite facing away from goal, but it was relatively comfortable in the end for the Brewers keeper, Bradley Collins. Costelloe had another bite of the cherry, this time creating room for a low drive from the edge of the box, but it again failed to extend the Burton keeper.                                                                                                                                   

After 20 minutes of controlled possession without real penetration Latics finally created a break down the left-hand side. The busy Costelloe ran down the channel and occupied his marker, allowing Raphael to nip in and drive into the area. The on-loan Coventry City winger then worked the ball onto his right foot before curling his strike just wide of the post.

The match had descended into another game with defences in control and it was with some relief that Latics finally profited from a rare opportunity five minutes before the break. Wigan managed to create a period of concerted pressure that began with a neat threaded ball by Smith allowing Mullin to get in behind and cross into the six yard box, the defence scrambled to try and clear but the ball fell kindly to Murray who was disappointed to see his shot charged down and cleared for a throw in.

Murray raced over and took a quick throw that allowed Saydee to fire in a cross come shot from the right of the penalty area, and it ended up in the back of the net via a combination of MULLIN and Vancooten, much to the delight of the home supporters. 

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 1-0 Burton Albion.

If the crowd had expected more positive action after the break, they were to be disappointed.                        

Latics, with a lead to protect, seemed reluctant to over-commit and despite controlling the early part of the second period they failed to create any clear-cut chances. Costelloe was almost presented with a gift in the 63rd minute after a short back header, but Jack Armer did just enough to shield the ball and prevent the striker, who had been busy throughout, from scoring.  

Burton gradually increased the tempo, and the nerves of players and fans were tested as in the 70^th minute substitute Dylan Williams found Jake Beesley with a deep free kick and his prodded effort flew over Tickle before bouncing clear off the crossbar.                                  

Williams was providing a number of dangerous crosses and as full time approached Wigan were once again thankful for the excellent Sam Tickle who clawed a Kyran Lofthouse strike away, before somehow getting a fingertip to Vancooten's curling strike to push it over the crossbar. 

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 1-0 Burton Albion.

Scorers; Mullin (40).

Attendance; 7,343

Wigan Athletic (3-4-3) --- Tickle; Aimson, Kerr, Fox; Murray, Weir, Smith, Raphael; Costelloe, Saydee, Mullin. Subs--- Savin (G), Francois, McManaman (for Murray), Bettoni (for Mullin), Cooper, Brenan, Carragher (for Costelloe).

Burton Albion (3-5-2) ---- Collins; Vancooten, Moon, Hartridge; Lofthouse, Chauke, Evans, Larsson, Armer; Beesley, Tavares; Subs--- Dudek (G), Shade (for Tavares), Williams (for Larsson), Newall (for Chauke), Hazelhurst, Krubally, Taroni.

Referee; Mr. Martin Woods (Lancashire).