Report by SJG

 VERTU TROPHY

STOCKPORT COUNTY vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

 11^th November 2025

FARCICAL CONDITIONS AND POOR OFFICIATING AS LATICS BOW OUT.

Latics concluded their Vertu Trophy Group Stage campaign with a short trip to Edgeley Park, knowing before the game that they needed to record a comprehensive victory to progress into the knockout stages of the competition.      

Latics opted to field a strong starting line-up in an attempt to build positive momentum ahead of their next block of fixtures when action resumes after the November international break                               

Wigan made seven changes from their 1-1 draw at Exeter City, with Toby Savin, Steven Sessegnon, Joe Hungbo, Tobias Brenan, Callum McManaman, Paul Mullin, and Costelloe all being handed starting berths. Captain Jason Kerr, Will Aimson, Luke Robinson, and Jensen Weir were the four players who retained their places.                   

Wigan enjoyed plenty of early possession and looked to utilise their threat in wide areas. With 12 minutes on the clock, Latics were presented with their first opening when Hungbo latched onto a Mullin pass and sprinted into the box, but his rushed shot was well off target. McManaman had a further opportunity eight minutes later - the ball fell kindly into his path, and his first time strike was well blocked by O'Keeffe. At the other end, Corey Edwards had two efforts from distance, the second forcing Savin into making a smart save.                 

Nathan Lowe had a tame header straight at Savin, before the Sky Bet League One leaders broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute. Space opened up for O’KEEFFE to come inside and take aim from 25 yards out, and his powerful strike beat the diving Savin.                          

Latics had to respond in the right way, and they restored parity just eight minutes later. COSTELLOE marked his return to the side from his three-match suspension with a unique goal - his header soared high into the air and was eventually palmed into the back of the net by goalkeeper Corey Addai. County claimed, justifiably that Aimson and Mullin had fouled the keeper, but the referee awarded the goal.

Half Time; Stockport County 1-1 Wigan Athletic.

The goal had given the visitors a real lift, and Costelloe came close to a second at the start of the second period. The young striker created his own luck inside the area, battling through a congested box to find room for a shot, and his strike was met by an outstanding save. 

Costelloe was again involved when he made an intelligent run down the left, and his drilled cross narrowly evaded both Mullin and first-half substitute Fraser Murray.

The heavens then opened at Edgeley Park, with both sides needing to adapt to the torrential conditions in Manchester. Latics almost took the lead two minutes before the hour mark, but Mullin was unable to tap Costelloe's inch-perfect cross home. 

The adverse weather was having a real impact on the flow of the game, and after a period of consultation, referee Scott Oldham initially suspended the match to allow time for the rain to ease off and for the hosts' ground-staff to improve the playing surface.

After an hour's pause, play got back underway at 9:20 pm, and the Hatters almost immediately regained their advantage after the restart. Lewis Fiorini's strike from the edge of the box took a wicked deflection, and despite pedalling backwards, Savin somehow got a strong hand on it to keep it out. At the other end, Murray beat several defenders on a trademark driving run before releasing Costelloe. who was denied a double by the outstretched arm of Addai. Then, with virtually the last kick of the game, Harrison Bettoni thought he had won it for Latics with his first senior goal when he tapped Raphael's cross in, but the flag was raised (incorrectly) for offside. 

The Group Stage clash headed to penalties to determine the winner of the extra point, and Stockport edged the shootout after Morgan Fox and Weir failed to score.

Full Time; Stockport County 1-1 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; O’ Keeffe (32); Costelloe (40).

Attendance; 1,337

Wigan Athletic (4-4-2) --- Savin; Sessegnon, Aimson, Kerr, Robinson; McManaman, Weir, Brenan, Hungbo; Costelloe, Mullin; Subs--- Tickle (G), Raphael (for Robinson), Fox (for Sessegnon), Murray (for Hungbo), Cooper (for McManaman), Bettoni (for Mullin), Graham.

Stockport County (3-4-2-1) ---- Addai; O’Keeffe, Grogan, Dodgson; Gardner, Moxon, Edwards, Fevrier; Fiorini, Mothersille; Lowe; Subs--- Astles (for Grogan), Lewis (for Gardner), Gardner (for Edwards), Cina (for Mothersille), Mapengu (for Lowe), Metcalfe (G), Hillary.

Referee; Mr. Scott Oldham (Blackpool).