Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs LEYTON ORIENT

22^nd August 2026

NEW FACES BUT THE SAME OLD PROBLEMS.

Latics headed into the fixture on the back of a positive performance against Aston Villa U21s and the fans being further buoyed by more new signings being announced in the days leading upto the game. Three loan signings from Premier League clubs had bolstered the ranks with Reggie Walsh (Chelsea), Luke Harris (Fulham), and Charlie Gray (Man City) all signing on the dotted line.                                                                                                          

Gary Caldwell made four changes to the side that played at Cambridge with James Carragher returning from injury, Reggie Walsh and Fin Burns making their league debuts as well as start for Akeel Higgins, who had impressed in his first two outings in a Wigan shirt.

In what was a lively opening ten minutes both sides looked to take early control of the contest and Latics rode their luck when some early Orient pressure, following a loose Jon Mellish pass allowed the away side a sight of goal, but the final ball from Akhamrich to find Springett, who was in yards of space inside the area was just off the mark. Latics went on the hunt for the opener themselves with Chelsea loanee Walsh at the heart of everything good for the home team. His threaded pass between the Orient defenders was on the money and looked to have picked out Dara Costelloe, but Baxter raced from his line to deny him. 

After the promising opening, Latics were made to pay on the quarter of an hour mark. A deep corner flew well beyond the danger area but when the ball was recycled the defence was slow to cover the returned ball. The defence struggled to get a proper clearing header and SPRINGETT was able to scuff a shot goalwards that somehow evaded Walsh in the home net.                                                                                                                                

The goal spurred Latics back onto the front foot and they created a number of chances that should, at least, have seen the game level. First, Costelloe did well to outmuscle his defender and be first to a Weir ball over the top, but his looping effort landed onto the roof of the net with Baxter stranded.                                  Then a whipped inswinging cross by Murray cross caused all sorts of problems as the keeper fumbled it backwards and almost into his own goal but it went just over the bar for a corner. Latics piled on the pressure and they thought they had their equaliser as Walsh, who looked lively throughout his debut, struck a left-footed volley sweetly into the back of the net from a half-cleared free kick, but the celebrations were short-lived as the flag had gone up for offside with bodies everywhere inside the penalty area. Reggie Walsh then went close again, minutes later, with a whistling effort that looked destined for the top corner after being picked out nicely by Max Power but the strike went agonisingly over the crossbar as the away side held onto their lead at half-time. 

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 0-1 Leyton Orient.

After the break Latics went close once more as Higgins' driving run down-field opened up the space for him to pick out Costelloe who was in some space. The forward shifted the ball onto his left foot but could not pick out the target and the strike flew just wide of the right-hand post. 

And as was the case just a week ago, Latics were punished for their lack of clinical finishing as AKHAMRICH pounced on a defensive mistake by Mellish to double Orient's lead with a neat side-footed finish. Caldwell's men continued to push inside the final half hour, and they made five changes in an attempt to freshen things up - including the debut of Luke Harris and the return of Ryan Trevitt - but despite this they struggled to carve out real opportunities as Orient fell deep into defence and aimed to run down the clock.               

The best chance for Latics fell to substitute Chris Sze as a first-time Murray cross was perfect for him to prod nicely on the stretch towards goal, but the substitute Orient keeper did enough to push the effort away and the loose ball somehow evaded Connor Barrett as he rushed in to slot home the rebound.           Latics are now left with work to do in the week as they get set for a trip to the Capital to face AFC Wimbledon. The same failings of poor finishing and occassional lapses in defence had again cost them dear and they now sit rock bottom in the table and have the distinction of being the only team not to collect at least a point in the fixtures to date.

There were plenty positives to take from the game, the progressive passing looked good, the team dominated possession and shots and in young Reggie Walsh they certainly have a player who will excite the fans with his movement and vision.                                                  

Hopefully a week on the training ground will see the new boys bed into the system as they try to get the points on the board to start to climb the table.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 0-2 Leyton Orient.

Scorers; Springett (15), Akhamrich (58).

Attendance; 9,317

WIGAN (3-4-3) – Walsh (G); Carragher, Burns, Mellish; R. Walsh, Power, Weir, Murray; Higgins, Costelloe, Perkins; Subs; Marni-Miller, Chapman, Barrett (for Higgins), A. Harris (for Carragher), Trevitt (for Weir), Sze (for Costelloe), L. Harris (for Perkins).

LEYTON ORIENT (3-4-2-1) – Baxter (G); Stevens, Morris, Olowu, El Mizouni, Kabia, Hayden, Akhamrich, Wellens, Springett, Chinedu; Subs; Phillips (G, for Baxter), Forrester, Mitchell (for Wellens), Gilchrist (for Morris), Obiero, Archibald (for Springett), Oyekunle (for Kabia).

Referee; Mr Ross Martin (Gloucester)