Big turnaround takes Tics to the top – Fleetwood Town 2 Wigan Athletic 3 

Will Keane's double clinched the points for Latics

Will Keane headed Latics level

  • Wigan Athletic came back from two goals down to win 3-2 at Fleetwood Town and move to the top of the League One table.
  • Latics went behind after seven minutes when Danny Andrew drove home a free- kick from the edge of the area.
  • The hosts increased their lead when Callum Morton was brought down in the area by Ben Amos and Morton stepped up to convert the penalty.
  • Callum Lang reduced the deficit and they drew level when Charlie Wyke’s overhead kick was headed into the net by Will Keane.
  • The visitors sealed a breathtaking comeback and a record breaking sixth away win in succession when Curtis Tilt headed the winner from Max Power’s corner.
  • Latics move to the top of the table, one point above Plymouth and Fleetwood are in 22nd place.


Leam Richardson made one change to the team that had defeated Burton Albion with Callum Lang replacing Stephen Humphrys.

Former Latics players Joe Garner started and Anthony Pilkington was on the bench for the hosts.

The hosts started brightly and Joe Garner fired just over the crossbar after five minutes.

Two minutes later and Fleetwood were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area and Andrew fired past Amos into the bottom corner.

Lang had a shout for a penalty shortly afterwards when he appeared to be pushed in the box but referee Ross Joyce was unmoved.

Wyke went close with a header on 16 minutes and Garner headed over at the other end soon afterwards.

On 28 minutes Wyke nearly drew the visitors level with a diving header from James McClean’s inviting cross but Alex Cairns saved with his leg and Keane headed over the rebound.

Tendayi Darikwa tried his luck from 25-yards on 33 minutes and his strike was heading for the top corner until Cairns acrobatically tipped over the crossbar.

Latics continued to press for the equaliser before the half-time break but the hosts were defending resolutely.

Early in the second half the hosts went 2-0 up. McClean tried a risky back pass to Amos and the keeper was late in his challenge on Morton and the referee awarded a penalty which Morton subsequently converted.

Richardson reverted to a 4-2-3-1 formation with Kerr withdrawn and Gwion Edwards slotting into the left hand side of the team.

Edwards was quickly into the action and forced Cairns into a good save low down at his near post.

Latics pulled a goal back on 62 minutes when Lang scored from a tight angle after an excellent defence splitting pass from Tom Bayliss.

The visitors were in the ascendancy now and a Fleetwood defender headed against his own crossbar from Power’s chipped cross on 65 minutes.

Latics were level on 68 minutes from McClean’s cross when Wyke’s overhead kick was headed home from close range by Keane.

It was one way traffic now and four minutes later Tilt rose high in the centre of the box to head Latics into the lead from Power’s corner.

It had been an incredible turnaround as Latics went from 2-0 down to 3-2 up in the space of just 10 minutes.

The visitors continued to press for more goals and Keane fired just over the crossbar from the corner of the box and Cairns did well to save Power’s free-kick at the near post.

In five minutes of added time Wyke had an opportunity to increase Latics’ advantage but a last ditch tackle denied him the opportunity to get on the scoresheet.

This had been a tremendous fightback by the Latics and manager Richardson will be very pleased that his charges had demonstrated great character and commitment to claim a crucial three points.


Player ratings courtesy of WhoScored.com

About ianhaspinall

Communications specialist, Wigan Athletic fan & blogger, interested in music, arts & culture.
This entry was posted in Callum Lang, Callum Morton, Curtis Tilt, Danny Andrew, Fleetwood Town, League One, Wigan Athletic, Will Keane and tagged , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

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