Report by SJG

VERTU TROPHY

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS U21

 7^th October 2025

YOUNG TICS LOSE TO LATE GOAL AS WINLESS RUN CONTINUES.

Thirteen Academy graduates featured for Latics, with Joe Adams, Joe Gilbertson, and Charlie Hughes making their debuts for the Football Club in this Vertu Trophy group game.

On what was another proud night for the highly acclaimed Latics Academy, eight graduates featured from minute one, while Joe Adams, Joe Gilbertson, and Charlie Hughes coming on for their debuts for the Football Club in the second half. 

Latics welcomed the Premier League U21s outfit to the Brick Community Stadium, determined to return to winning ways in WN5 after Saturday's encouraging point at Plymouth Argyle. 

The Vertu Trophy clash was of real significance to Latics, as a positive result was necessary if the club wanted to progress into the knockout stages. Having fallen to a home defeat against Sky Bet League Two side Salford City in their opening game, Latics stood bottom of Group A, tied with Tuesday's opponents. 

Deadline Day arrival Toby Savin made his competitive debut for Latics in between the sticks, while captain Callum McManaman, Jensen Weir, Jack Rogers, Luke Robinson, K'Marni Miller formed the backline. Callum Wright returned after being ineligible to face his parent club, Plymouth, and was partnered by Tobias Brenan and Leo Graham in the engine room. Debutant Harrison Bettoni led the attack alongside Asamoah. 

A further seven Academy graduates were named on the bench, with U18s Joe Gilbertson and Charlie Hughes being named in a senior matchday squad for the first time. 

Wolves started brightly and Savin was called upon to deal with a number of dangerous crosses but the Wigan man was positive and punched the ball well clear of danger on each occasion.

Latics offered some glimpses of what they can do in the early stages of the encounter but they then fell behind with 12 minutes when Marni-Miller saw his pass intercepted and a quick break resulted in EDOZIE finishing off a well-worked move from the right-hand side with a low drive that beat the diving Savin.

The onus was on Latics to find a response and they fashioned an opportunity just two minutes later. Graham found room on the right flank to cross and Asamoah got his head to the ball but was unable to direct his effort onto the target. 

Using their aerial prowess continued to be a source of success for Latics, and Weir almost brought the game back level in the 22nd minute when he powered a header just wide from a whipped McManaman free-kick.

The pressure paid off for Latics just before the half-hour mark when Asamoah levelled up proceedings with his first goal of the 2025/26 season. Weir did brilliantly to dispossess the Wolves man inside the opposition half and play an inch-perfect through ball to ASAMOAH who raced into the area before finishing confidently past the visiting goalkeeper. 

Latics were hungry to claim the lead and they created two significant opportunities in the final 15 minutes of the opening half. Wright struck the outside of the post following a mazy run from the left, before Bettoni came ever so close to netting his first senior goal, seeing his downward header denied by an acrobatic save from Josh Gracey.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 1-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers.

After a quiet start to the second half it was Latics who began to find their groove and ask questions of their opponents. McManaman, who was lively throughout, led the charge, and the skipper saw two strikes blocked inside the area within the space of a few moments. The first opportunity arose as a result of fine wing play and when that effort was blocked the ball ricochetted back to McManaman who tried to pick his spot but saw his effort blocked by the defence.

Glenn Whelan, who was overseeing the fixture, opted to make two changes as they entered the last 25 minutes. Joe Adams replaced Wright in midfield, coming on for his senior debut for the Football Club and completing his recovery from an injury that had kept him out for over 12 months, while Robinson made way for Christy Edwards. Gilbertson and Hughes were both rewarded for strong showings in recent Under 18 games and they entered the fray along with Knott who replaced the injured Rogers.

Wolves U21s claimed all three points with just two minutes left, with MANE firing home from the penalty spot. The penalty was given for a slightly clumsy challenge on Mane by Knott who had a torrid time after his late introduction.

Latics did hope to respond in the six minutes of additional time, and in their final attack Asamoah sent a curling effort that fell just the wrong side of the post.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 1-2 Wolverhampton Wanderers U21

Scorers; Asamoah (29); Edozie (12), Mane (88, pen).

Attendance; 1.324

Wigan Athletic (4-2-3-1) --- Savin; Weir, Rogers, Robinson; Brenan, McManaman, Graham, Wright, Marni-Miller; Asamoah, Bettoni; Subs--- Watson (G), Adams (for Wright), Hughes (for McManaman), Bolland, Knott (for Rogers), C. Edwards (for Robinson), Gilbertson (for Bettoni).

Wolverhampton Wanderers (3-5-2) ---- Gracey; Lochhead, Pond, Olagunju; White, Rawlings, Ojinnaka, Sutherland, Mane; Edozie, Holman; Subs--- Angel (for Holman), Leonardo Lopes (for Edozie), Brooks (G), Arnold, Ballard-Matthews, Stevens, Williams.

Referee; Mr. Zachary Kennard-Kettle (Berkshire).