Report by SJG

NORTHAMPTON TOWN vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

 6^th April 2026

WIGAN TURN ON THE STYLE TO EASE PAST THE COBBLERS.

Wigan Athletic took a huge step towards Sky Bet League One safety with a 3-1 victory over Northampton Town at the Sixfields stadium.                 

Gary Caldwell named an unchanged side from the stalemate against Leyton Orient, with Harrison Bettoni and Morgan Fox replacing Llyton Chapman and Owen Moxon (Illness) on the bench. Northampton came into the game on a poor run of form but no match in League One is ever easy, and Wigan knew they would need to battle for every ball if the right result was going to be obtained.                                   

In the early stages Murray was causing problems down the left, and when he clipped a ball towards the edge of the six-yard box, Joe Taylor looked to nod down into the bottom corner, but Joe Burge was equal to the header.                       

Latics were dominating the ball, but when the slightest bit of space appeared in behind the Latics defence it allowed Jake Evans to tease a cross towards the back post, where Sam Tickle palmed away but into the path of McGeehan, who should have scored but his rushed effort was saved by the scrambling Tickle.                                                                                        

The scare spurred Wigan on, and following some nice, intricate play, Smith slid a delightful, defence-splitting pass into the feet of WRIGHT, who took one touch and fired home via the far post.                                                                                                                                  

Town tried to respond and ex-Latics man Michael Jacobs was allowed a sight of goal, with Tickle getting down low to save but otherwise Northampton offered very little by way of threat in the final third, and the visitors eventually and deservedly doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time when Fraser Murray swung a corner into the danger zone, and the ball bounced off GUTHRIE, who was under pressure to clear, and found its way into the home net.

Half Time; Northampton Town 0-2 Wigan Athletic.

Northampton rang the changes at the start of the second half as they came out with greater determination and with a point to prove. Wigan defended well and after weathering the storm they pushed on again and almost had a third through Smith, who picked up a loose ball and curled a shot towards the top corner before seeing the effort headed away for a corner.                              

Latics seemed to be coasting to a comfortable win, but the home side suddenly sparked into life as the clock ticked into the final ten minutes when youngster Jake EVANS was allowed to dance his way through the middle of the Wigan defence before setting himself and slotting into the back of the net.                                                             

Suddenly alarm bells were ringing and fingernails were being bitten but on this occasion Latics were not going to let the home side back into the game and when Murray's corner found its way to AIMSON at the back post, he ensured the points were sealed as he volleyed home and as the ball struck the back of the net the celebrations began. 

Full Time; Northampton Town 1-3 Wigan Athletic.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Attendance; 6,148

Scorers; Wright (15), Guthrie (45, OG), Aimson (88); Evans (80).

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

Northampton Town (4-5-1) ---- Burge; McAdam, Guthrie, Moore, Burroughs; Jacobs, Campbell, Taylor, McGeehan, Hoskins; Evans; Subs--- Fitzsimons (G), Eaves (for Hoskins), Fornah (for McGeehan), Edwards (for Jacobs), Guinness-Walker (for Edwards), Perkins (for Taylor), Dyche.

Referee; Mr. Alex Chilowicz (U.S.A)