Report by SJG

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs EXETER CITY

 21^st March 2026

LATICS EASE PAST GRECIANS TO GAIN BIG WIN.

Wigan Athletic picked up another crucial three points when they secured victory over an out of sorts Exeter City at the Brick Community Stadium.                 

With survival on the line, the stakes for this game were high, but the occasion also carried added significance for Head Coach Gary Caldwell and First Team Coach David Perkins, who come up against their former club.                         

A positive result would provide a significant boost heading into the final stretch, with the manager making two changes from the midweek draw at Oakwell. Caylan Vickers and Harrison Bettoni replaced Callum Wright (suspended) and Christian Saydee in the starting XI. Wigan also had a welcome boost with James Carragher named in the matchday squad after recovering from his injury.          

Taylor got the scoring underway for Latics after just five minutes when he nodded in Murray's cross to give Gary Caldwell's side a dream start to proceedings. 

Wigan were already dominating play when Moxon picked up a loose ball, he fed Murray who dropped a shoulder and raced down the left, he spotted Taylor free in the box and the perfect looped cross towards the edge of the six-yard box allowed TAYLOR to leap, unchallenged, and head into the top corner of the net.                                                                             

A change in shape and an early tactical substitution saw ex-Latics striker Josh Magennis join the game and Exeter gradually enjoyed a little bit of possession before Latics looked to grab a second. The combination of Murray and Taylor nearly bore fruit again after the Scotsman picked up the scraps following a Vickers' effort at goal to cross towards the number 10, but the ball evaded him, and Exeter watched the ball sail wide. The second goal almost arrived courtesy of Harrison Bettoni, who linked up with the impressive Chapman. The young defender clipped a clever ball over the top of the Exeter backline for Bettoni who took it down nicely and spotting Whitworth off his line he lifted a shot over the keeper but the looping effort struck the crossbar and fell to safety.

The second half was a much more even affair, but it was Latics who were creating the better chances. Ex-Exeter defender Will Aimson got across his man from a corner to glance a header towards the far post, but the ball travelled inches wide of the target.  Exeter did step forward with a chance of their own when Latics were caught on the break, and Magennis was allowed to roll his marker and feed Higgins for a first-time curling effort towards the far corner, which Sam Tickle was able to watch wide.                                       

The visitors were slowly becoming more of a force in the game, and after a cross into the box was headed back into the danger zone by Magennis, Jack McMillan was denied by Tickle, who produced a point-blank save inside the 18-yard box. The rebound fell to Carlos Mendes-Gomes who volleyed the sharp chance wide.                                                                                                            

It looked like Latics may again have to survive an anxious last few minutes as they looked to hang on but they grabbed a second of the game when MURRAY, who turned from provider to finisher, swung a corner into the box. The precise delivery evaded everyone and curled into the back of the net to secure the victory and a vitally important three points. 

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 2-0 Exeter City.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Scorers; Taylor (5), Murray (85).

Attendance; 9,506

Wigan Athletic (3-4-2-1) --- Tickle; Aimson, Kerr, Chapman; Murray, Moxon, Weir, Raphael; Bettoni, Vickers; Taylor; Subs--- Savin (G), McManaman, Hungbo (for Taylor), Carragher (for Chapman), Smith (for Vickers), Costelloe (for Bettoni), Saydee (for Moxon).

Exeter City (3-4-2-1) ---- Whitworth; Sweeney, Woodhouse, Yfeko; Niskanen, Aitchison, Brierley, McMillan; Cole, Tuterov; Wareham; Subs--- Bycroft (G), Cox, Magennis (for Tuterov), Andrew (for Yfeko), Higgins (for Cole), Mendes (for Aitchison), McDonald (for Brierley).

Referee; Mr. Edward Duckworth. (Preston)