Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs LINCOLN CITY

 31^st January 2026

PRESSURE BUILDS ON RYAN LOWE AND LUCKLESS LATICS.

The days leading up to this game were filled with lots of speculation as rumours of possible managerial changes flooded the internet. In fact, the rumours were so strong that the club had to issue a statement confirming that Ryan Lowe retained the full confidence of the boardroom and he would be the man to take the team forward.                                          

Lincoln City were looking to bolster their promotion aspirations and came into the game on a fine run of form that had seen them climb into second place in the League table, but the game was of equal importance to Latics at the other end of the table, who were looking to move away from the relegation zone with all three points and to draw a line under the difficulties of the past few weeks.                                                                                    

Lowe opted to make two changes from the midweek defeat at Wycombe Wanderers, shuffling his pack for his side’s return to home soil. Jensen Weir and Asamoah Jr returned to the starting line-up, replacing Joe Hungbo and Christian Saydee.                                         

An early chance presented itself to the visitors when a ball down the left channel found its way to Rob Street behind the Latics defence, and with Sam Tickle racing off his line, the Lincoln wide man lifted it over the number one's head and just wide of the post.              

Latics settled into the game and their first attack of the game came when Asamoah raced down the line before cutting inside and feeding Callum Wright just outside of the 18-yard box, who took one touch and rifled towards goal, forcing George Wickens to palm the ball over the crossbar.                                                                                                                  

The opening 20 minutes were good for Latics and Asamoah was lively and when he was allowed to break from a Lincoln corner, he arrowed a ball through the middle for Joe Taylor to run on to and race into the box, but under pressure the front man dragged his shot wide.                                                                                                                                                           

Lincoln had looked lively from the start, and they took the lead when, after a period of possession, McGrandles ran infield and found MOYLAN on the edge of the area. He drove into the 18-yard box and chipped over the on-rushing Tickle and into the back of the net.

Lincoln showed their quality again and when Latics lost possession in the final third, the Imps broke freely and quickly, leading to Moylan driving forward and feeding Hackett inside the area but his low-driven effort was well kept out by Tickle.                                         

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 0-1 Lincoln City.

Buoyed after a half-time team talk, Latics came out firing on all cylinders at the start of the second period. The substitution of Joe Hungbo injected a spark into Ryan Lowe's side, and it was the wide midfielder who had the half's first chance when he drove forward and checked inside, before eventually curling an effort towards the top corner, which was headed away. The industrious Wright then clipped a clever ball out to Morgan Fox on the left for him to step in and cross into the danger zone. Owen Moxon found space and arrived late into the area, but his flashing header was too high. Latics were the better side in the second half, with the chances continuing to arrive, and as Taylor came forward, he slotted in Asamoah who managed to pick out Wright for a layoff to Moxon. The Stockport loanee fired an effort towards goal that was destined to ripple the back of the net, but Adam Reach was able to get back and clear off the line.                           

Despite being the stronger side in the second half it wasn't to be for Latics, who couldn't quite find anything in front of goal to take any points from the game. 

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 0-1 Lincoln City.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Scorers; Moylan (24).

Attendance; 9,436           

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

Lincoln City (4-2-3-1) ---- Wickens; Darikwa, Hamer, Bradley, Reach; Varfolomeev, McGrandles; Hackett-Fairchild, Moylan, Street; Draper. Subs--- Jeacock (G), One, House (for Hackett-Fairchild), Jeffries (for Moylan), Bayliss (for Varfolomeev), Lloyd (for Street), Towler (for Draper).

Referee; Mr. Carl Brook (Sussex).