Callum Lang opened the scoring for Latics

• Wigan group The Lathums released their excellent debut album ‘How Beautiful Life Can Be’ on Friday and they were the match sponsors as Wigan Athletic ran out comfortable 2-0 winners against Cheltenham Town.

• Latics retain top spot in League One after eight games played and have now won five consecutive League games.

• Callum Lang opened the scoring for the hosts after only eight minutes when he rifled home Charlie Wyke’s pass from close range.

• Latics dominated proceedings and had further chances to increase their lead before Wyke added a second goal early in the second half.

• The visitors had a couple of chances to reduce the arrears but in truth Latics should have won by more than the two goal margin.

• Latics lead the League One table on goal difference from Sunderland while Cheltenham drop to 14th place.

League One Table

Leam Richardson named an unchanged starting line up from the side that won at Accrington Stanley last Saturday. Former Latics striker Kyle Joseph was selected for the visitors, whilst former goalkeeper Owen Evans was named on the bench for the Robins.

Latics started on the front foot and were ahead after only eight minutes through Lang. Max Power’s long ball was claimed by Wyke and the striker pulled the ball back for Lang inside the area and the striker took one touch before finishing into the bottom corner.

Lang should have added to his tally in the 17th minute when Will Keane found him inside the area but the Robins keeper Scott Flinders made an excellent save at point-blank range.

The hosts were in dominant form and Tom Naylor struck a powerful drive over from the edge of the area following good play from Wyke.

The visitors created a rare opportunity to equalise on the stroke of half time when Ellis Chapman turned inside the area and his cross deflected wide of the target.

Latics doubled their lead soon after half time. Lang found space before pulling the ball back to Wyke who slotted the ball into the corner from about eight yards out.

Cheltenham tried to respond and Alfie May unleashed a low shot which Ben Amos was forced to save. 

But Latics remained in the ascendancy and Tendayi Darikwa forced a good save from Flinders before Keane headed over from Darikwa’s cross.

Kell Watts saw his header well blocked by substitute Kyle Vassell from McClean’s corner and at the other end substitute Kyle Vassell saw his effort fly wide of Amos’ goal.

Latics nearly added a third when Naylor headed Power’s free-kick towards the top corner but Flinders did well to tip away. Naylor then had a snapshot go narrowly wide from Power’s clever pass.

McClean forced another good save from Flinders in the 85th minute with a powerful drive but Latics hadn’t really got out of third gear throughout.

They should have won by a greater margin but it was another convincing performance and to every home fans’ delight they remain top of the league. 

Once again there were strong performances throughout the team but Lang, Wyke and Power are in outstanding form at the moment.

Leam Richardson reflected on a deserved victory before looking forward to Latics taking on Sheffield Wednesday at the DW Stadium on Tuesday night.

“It’s a tough week for us,” he said.

“We knew how good Cheltenham are – they’ve had some fantastic results and now we quickly turn our attention to Sheffield Wednesday.

“They don’t need any introduction with the players that they’ve got, and the management team too.

“It should be an interesting game on Tuesday.”

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