Report by SJG

CARABOU CUP

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs NOTTS. COUNTY

 12^th August 2025

TICKLE LATE HEROICS ENSURES COUNTY PAY THE PENALTY AS TICS PROGRESS.

Wigan Athletic progressed into Round Two of the Carabao Cup after defeating Notts County at the Brick Community Stadium.

It was not exactly the response that Head Coach Ryan Lowe wanted after their defeat in the capital, but on a swelteringly hot evening the Latics bounced back in front of their home supporters against the Magpies courtesy of a soft penalty award and an emphatic finish from the spot. Paul Mullin was the match-winner on the night, blasting home the 10th-minute spot-kick and thus securing Latics' progress into the second round of the Carabao Cup for the first time since the 2021/22 season.

The manager opted to reshuffle his pack for the Carabao Cup clash, making six changes from the weekend. Summer signings Isaac Mabaya, Callum Wright, Ryan Trevitt, and Paul Mullin were handed their first competitive starts for the Football Club, while Luke Robinson and Asamoah Jr also found themselves back in the starting XI.

After a lively start Asamaoh Jr picked up the ball in the final third and danced through the Notts County backline and into the box, where he was adjudged to have been brought down by Referee Ollie Yates. The official was well placed and didn't think twice about pointing to the spot and that allowed MULLIN to confidently fire the ball home.

Latics pressed straight from the restart, winning a corner almost instantly. After playing a neat one-two following the corner Joe Hungbo's strike almost resulted in a second but the ball whistling just past the near post.

Lowe was forced into an early change following an unfortunate Mabaya injury, with opening day hero Fraser Murray taking his place.

Latics continued to look sharp in the final third with Hungbo working his magic down the left flank and getting the better of his running battle with Cotter at full-back.

Murray came agonisingly close to doubling the lead. Asamoah Jr turned his pace up a gear, blitzing past the defence and winning a foul on the edge of the box. Up stepped Murray, whose free kick was just inches from goal.

County had plenty possession but without really stretching the patched-up Wigan defence with Weir, Robinson and Kerr coping well and Brenan and Trevitt giving good cover in midfield.

Half Time; Wigan athletic 1-0 Notts. County

A beautiful piece of link-up play straight after the break almost allowed Asamoah Jr to grab a second goal that would surely have settled affairs but the striker was, for once, a little flat-footed and was slow to react to the opportunity. Trevitt ran onto a precise through ball from the wing, dancing into the box and laying it on a plate for Asamoah Jr, who just failed to anticipate the clever pass.

Academy graduate Leo Graham replaced a tiring Tobias Brenan, making his competitive debut. Graham sported the number 28 and he is sure to be a player to have on your radar going forward this season. The debutant nearly grabbed a goal when he arrived late in the box to direct at goal following a low cross.

Sam Tickle was finally called upon for the first time approaching the hour mark, getting low to save Kellan Gordon's powerful strike and this attack seemed to energise County who began to get on the front foot as they searched for the leveller.

The visitors very nearly got their wish after catching the Tics on the counter, with Matty Dennis' shot beating Tickle and bouncing wide off the post. County, of Division Two, continued their late surge of pressure, with Tickle producing a wonderful one-handed save to deny Jayden Luker, before Jensen Weir scrambled away the rebound. 

Wigan closed out the game without any further major alarms and will be happy with the combative win and a place in the draw for Round two.

Full Time: Wigan Athletic 1-0 Notts. County.

Scorers; Mullin (10, pen)

Attendance; 2,907

Wigan Athletic (3-5-2) --- Tickle; Weir, Kerr, Robinson; Hungbo; Brenan, Trevitt, Wright, Mabaya; Mullin, Asamoah; Subs--- Watson, Mellish, Francois, Rogers, Saydee (for Mullin), Costelloe (for Asamoah), Murray (for Mabaya), Graham (for Brenan), McHugh (for Wright);

Notts. County. (3-4-2-1) ---- Roos; Aljofree, McDonald, Bedeau; Cotter, Iorpenda, Palmer, Bennetts; Jones, Grant; Luker; Subs— Griffiths, Hinchy, Norburn, Platt, Edwards, Dennis (for Jones), Gordon (for Cotter), Hall (for Grant), Kouhyar (for Bennetts).

Referee; Mr. Ollie Yates (Staffordshire).