Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

WYCOMBE WANDERERS vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

 27^th January 2026

TOOTHLESS WIGAN PAY THE PENALTY.

Wigan Athletic slipped to a 2-0 defeat away to Wycombe Wanderers in Sky Bet League One, with Caolan Boyd-Munce and Cauley Woodrow on the scoresheet for the home side. 

Ryan Lowe made two changes to his starting side for the midweek clash, with Wright and Joe Hungbo coming in for Raphael Borges Rodrigues and Harrison Bettoni. 

It took just three minutes for the first goal of the game to arrive, and it was mired in controversy. Quitima was harshly judged to have been pulled back by Wright and any offence, if any existed, appeared to be outside of the penalty area, but referee Paul Howard, influenced by his linesman, pointed to the spot. BOYD-MUNCE stepped up and fired into the corner of the net, despite Sam Tickle diving the right way. 

The penalty was an early setback, but Latics settled into the game nicely and were getting on the ball, knocking it from left to right. A few half-chances came and went as crosses came into the area from Joe Hungbo, Fox and Murray, but on each occasion nobody could quite get on the end of them to apply the vital touch.                                                                                               

Latics continued to push and thought they had the equaliser just 10 minutes before the half-time interval when Murray raced down the right and zipped a low cross into the danger zone for Saydee to strike at goal, but Anders Hagelskjaer threw himself in the way and so denied any chance of the ball hitting the back of the net. 

Half Time; Wycombe Wanderers 1-0 Wigan Athletic.

Latics started the second half as they ended the first - on top. Matt Smith clipped a nice ball over the top of the Wycombe defence, Taylor latched on to it and volleyed towards the near post, but Will Norris got down well to parry away the effort.

Despite Latics having the lion's share of possession they created little by way of chances as the Wycombe defence proved to be well organised stubborn obstacle.                                       

Wycombe did produce brief moments of their own and Onyedinma twisted and turned down the left before testing Tickle, who got his fingertips to the ball and tipped it over.                   

Wigan then went close from a corner, which Moxon swung towards the back post and Will Aimson headed back across goal, where Wright was waiting, but Wycombe again managed to just about clear before the midfielder could get his effort on goal.                                                                    

With just under 20 minutes to go, the home side doubled their lead. A deep cross came in from the right it seemed to be well covered but under pressure Carragher saw his poor clearing header fall to WOODROW who was all alone inside the six-yard box, and he nodded home with ease.                                                 

Latics tried to rally and Taylor ventured forward with Wycombe defence backing off and his sharp curling shot, on the wet surface, flew inches wide of Norris' post. 

Full Time; Wycombe Wanderers 2-0 Wigan Athletic.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Scorers; Boyd-Munce (2, pen), Woodrow (72)                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Attendance; 4,190            

Wigan Athletic (3-4-2-1) --- Tickle; Aimson, Carragher, Fox; Murray, Moxon, M. Smith, Hungbo; Taylor, Wright; Saydee; Subs--- Savin (G), Weir, Costelloe (for Saydee), Raphael (for Hungbo), Asamoah (for Wright), Sessegnon (for Murray), Bettoni.

Wycombe Wanderers (4-2-3-1) ---- Norris; Grimmer, Casey, Hagelskjaer, Harvie; Boyd-Munce, Leahy; Harris, Mullins, Quiterna; Onyedinma; Subs--- Van Sas (G), Lowry, Allen (for Hagelskjaer), Woodrow (for Mullins), Taylor (for Harris), Fink (for Onyedinma), Huggins (for Quitirna).

Referee; Mr. Paul Howard (London).