Report by SJG

FRIENDLY

GRIMSBY TOWN vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

1^st August 2026

WHO WILL SCORE THE GOALS?

Latics concluded their pre-season preparations with a stern test against Grimsby Town. In their first trip to Blundell Park since 2017, Latics were met with a stern challenge against the Sky Bet League Two outfit, that ended 2-0 following goals from Jayden Sweeney and Andy Cook.

Saturday's fixture in Lincolnshire was the second of Latics' double-header weekend. Gary Caldwell named a strong starting line-up to take on the Mariners. 

Joe Walsh returned in goal after keeping a clean sheet and saving a penalty at AFC Fylde, while James Carragher, Morgan Fox and Jon Mellish made up the back-three. Connor Barrett and Fraser Murray took up their usual wing-back roles. Max Power and Jensen Weir sat in the engine room, with Dara Costelloe and Chris Sze playing in behind lone striker Sonny Perkins, who returned after missing the 3-0 victory at the Mill Farm.                                                        

It was a confident start from the Wigan on the back of their encouraging performance last weekend, with Caldwell's men controlling possession and getting into some good areas in the final third without really crafting any clear-cut chances.                                      

However, with their first chance on goal, the hosts broke the deadlock. Carragher was crowded out by three eager defenders, and his loose pass was picked up by Charles Vernam, who squared for the arriving SWEENEY to roll home inside the six-yard box.                     

While the goal would have frustrated Caldwell, he would have been pleased with the reaction from his players. Almost immediately from kick-off, Latics fashioned an opportunity for Perkins, whose piledriver from the edge of the box was too hot for Harvey Cartwright to handle, but the Grimsby goalkeeper collected it at the second attempt. The summer arrival from Leyton Orient had another even better chance in the 18th minute, racing onto a wonderful Power ball down the right channel before almost lifting the ball over the advancing Cartwright.                                                                                                 

Latics were forced into an early change after just 25 minutes when Sze was unable to continue and was replaced by U21 midfielder Harrison Rimmer.                                        

Carragher made up for his earlier error by stopping Cian Doyle in a one-on-one, before Latics had two opportunities in as many minutes before the break. First, Power drilled the ball into Perkins, who again tested the palms of Cartwright, before Costelloe could not take full advantage after Barrett's effort deflected invitingly into his path.

Half Time; Grimsby Town 1-0 Wigan Athletic.

Latics had responded well to falling behind without a goal to show for it and went on the hunt for one at the start of the second half. Firstly, Costelloe had a golden chance to restore parity five minutes after the break, after he timed his run to perfection and met Weir's wicked low cross, but his strike travelled over the crossbar. He almost provided the equaliser seven minutes later, after his cross was headed over by Perkins, who did well to leap above the defender and make a solid connection with the ball.

On 65 minutes Costelloe did have the ball in the back of the net for Latics. A free kick was taken quickly, and Fox found Costelloe in the box, who tucked his header home, but unfortunately for the Irishman, the flag was up on the far side for offside. Replays suggested that the goal should have stood but Wigan and Costelloe were out of luck on this occasion.

The action began to fizzle out as the second half progressed, but there was still time inside the last five minutes for one last chance for Latics. Perkins was slipped through by Costelloe, and his strike was pushed just beyond the post by substitute goalkeeper Seb Autton.

The save proved to be vital for the hosts, who went up the other end to secure the win following a fast break and a calmly slotted strike from Andy COOK. 

All attention now turns to next weekend, as Latics travel to Barnsley in Round One of the Carabao Cup. 

Full Time; Grimsby Town 2-0 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; Sweeney (10), Cook (90).

Attendance; 2,043