Report by SJG

FRIENDLY

SOUTHPORT vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

31^st July 2026

Latics enjoyed a competitive runout in their penultimate pre-season friendly at Haig Avenue on a balmy Friday evening. 

A young Wigan squad was augmented with three more experienced trialists, Scott Hogan, and a competitive but enjoyable encounter ended goalless. 

Tom Watson started in goal, while Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen, Llyton Chapman, and a trialist formed the back three. Tobias Brenan was partnered by Baba Adeeko in midfield, while another trialist and K'Marni Miller occupied the wing-back positions. Kai Payne and Hindolo Mustapha supported the third trialist (the experienced Scott Hogan) in the attacking midfield roles. Before the pre-season friendly got underway, the two sides paid respect to the late Trevor Hitchen, who represented both Southport and Wigan.                                                  Llyton Chapman, who made his first appearance since the start of April, captained the side on his 21st birthday and was vocal throughout the opening stages in organising the backline.

In the tenth minute, moments after Watson tipped a dangerous cross to safety, Kai Payne almost made the breakthrough. Miller found Payne's intelligent run down the left of the penalty area, and only a good save from Solomon Honor prevented the midfielder's low shot from finding the corner of the net.

The hosts threatened in the 16th minute when former Morecambe man Jordan Slew almost caught Watson out with a right-sided cross-cum-shot that looped in the air and ended up landing on top of the crossbar.

Mustapha was lively in the Wigan midfield, and he posed a huge threat during the infancy of the encounter, as he started multiple attacks with his excellent ball control. His great work almost paid off when he showed great feet to beat three oncoming men and release Miller down the left, but Honor again reacted quickly to gobble the loose ball up.

After nearly being the provider, the Sierra Leone international had a go himself eight minutes before half time, sitting down a defender on the edge of the area before seeing his strike deflect over the bar.

The final chance of the half was potentially the best move of the lot. Adeeko spun in possession and sent a Trialist into acres of space, and the wing-back's cross came inches away from finding the unmarked Hogan in the box.          

Half Time; Southport F C 0-0 Wigan Athletic;                                                                           

Manager Caldwell made three changes at the break, with reigning Michael Millett Academy Player of the Season Seb Spelman, Sam Bolland, and Cole Simms replacing Chapman, and two of the trialists 

After a quiet start to the second period it was Latics who gained the initiative A free-kick was taken short and allowed Adeeko space to shoot from 18 yards out, and his strike deflected to Chilokoa-Mullen, who also saw his effort blocked before the ball was scrambled clear.

At the other end, former Latics youngster and substitute Christy Edwards found Slew, who forced Watson into a strong save down to his left. Edwards then threatened himself in the 72nd minute after substitute Reece Greenhalgh's short back-pass played him through, but his left-footed strike trickled wide. 

Latics did have the ball in the back of the net in injury time after Spelman's header was diverted in by Simms, but the linesman had his flag up for offside.

It was to be the last significant opportunity of the game, and Caldwell's men will now turn attention to tomorrow's trip to Grimsby Town, their first since 2004 and final game in their pre-season schedule.

Full Time; Southport FC 0-0 Wigan Athletic.