Report by SJG

STEVENAGE vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

 2^nd May 2026

A GAME OF VERY FINE MARGINS.

Wigan Athletic finished the 2025/26 Sky Bet League One campaign with a narrow defeat at Stevenage's Lamex Stadium.                                                                                                       

Wigan Athletic set about trying to end their 2025/26 campaign on a positive note as they locked horns with the play-off chasing Stevenage FC, a game that saw the curtain come down on a long and demanding campaign.                                                                                   

It was always set to be a tough match for Latics infront of a sold-out home crowd and with Stevenage knowing that a win would confirm their play-off spot. Ex- Latics player Alex Revell had his team fired up and that left Latics with the tough task of spoiling the party and having a big say in who finishes in the top six.        Gary Caldwell made one change for the final outing, with Christian Saydee replacing Bettoni in the starting line-up. Owen Moxon returned to the bench in place of the injured Fox.      

The game started in cagey fashion and the first real effort of the afternoon came after 17 minutes when Jordan Roberts hung a cross up to the back post and former Wigan player, Charlie Goode, rose well but headed over the bar from inside the six-yard box.                          

Latics looked more of a threat when they got the ball down on the deck and they almost had joy through Raphael Borges Rodrigues after he found space down the right to cut inside and shoot at goal. The final shot, however, was scuffed and it trickled into the side netting.        

Wigan went close again when a fast break following a Tickle clearance saw Taylor in behind the home defence, but the keeper Marschall rushed from his goal and produced an instinctive one-handed block to deny Latics.                                                                                  

Stevenage were starting to threaten more and after Dan Kemp's deflected half chance from the edge of the area found the gloves of Sam Tickle the lively Matt Phillips dribbled across the edge of the area before unleashing a strike at goal that flew well over the bar.

Half Time; Stevenage 0-0 Wigan Athletic.

Ten minutes of the second period had passed before any real chances appeared. Raphael broke free down the right and looked for a pull-back to the edge of the six-yard box, but Filip Marschall got down well to save.                                                                                                

Louis Thompson then sent a fierce volley towards the top corner, but Tickle was very assured as he grabbed the ball then at the other end Joe Taylor saw a neat flick towards the middle of the net cleared off the line by Goode who got back well to cover behind the keeper.           

Stevenage began to throw more men forward as news from around the grounds suggested that both Plymouth and Luton were likely to win and pip them to the last play-off spot. Reid had a good opportunity to score when he found himself free and with space in front of him but his well struck volley at goal flew into the side netting.                                                        

Wigan looked to be wilting in the warm afternoon sun, and Kemp collected a loose ball before firing narrowly wide. The pressure continued to build, and a deep corner found the head of Goode, but Tickle kept the effort out with a diving save, clawing the ball out and away from the top corner. Both sides were looking for that vital goal and it was Latics who went close courtesy of youngster Harrison Bettoni. Firstly, he picked up the ball and let fly from the edge of the area, forcing Marschall into an awkward save before a second shooting chance saw him cannoning a curling strike off the bar and away.   

Stevenage knew what was at stake, and they were throwing everything at it and that proved to be just about enough when, following another corner kick, they bundled home the ball in a goalmouth scramble deep into injury time. The ball was adjudged to have crossed the line, but the decision which was certainly contentious as it was only a matter of inches that proved to be decisive.               

Wigan threw everything at Stevenage in the remaining moments leaving gaps at the back and Patterson and Reid both went close to adding a second and when the final whistle blew it was a relieved home side that celebrated their place in the play-offs as they just pipped their local rivals Luton Town to the final play-off berth.

Full Time; Stevenage 1-0 Wigan Athletic.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Attendance; 6,671

Scorer; Sweeney (90+2).

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

Stevenage (4-4-2) ---- Marschall; Earley, Goode, Piergianni, Pattenden; Roberts, White, Thompson, Kemp; Reid, M. Phillips; Subs--- Ashby-Hammond (G), Lubala, Butler (for Earley), James-Wildin (for Pattenden), Patterson (for Roberts), Sweeney (for M. Phillips), D. Phillips (for Thompson).

Referee; Mr. Matthew Russell (Hampshire)