Latics celebrate. Photo courtesy of Wigan Athletic

• A youthful Wigan Athletic side shocked League One promotion favourites Derby County with a deserved 2-1 victory at Pride Park.
• Latics went ahead on 37 minutes when Charlie Wyke capitalised on a mistake by Sonny Bradley before rounding the keeper and slotting the ball home.
• Derby drew level on 56 minutes when a deflected cross found Craig Forsyth at the back post and the full-back volleyed into the net.
• The visitors restored their advantage on 72 minutes when Wyke rose above goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith and headed Tom Pearce’s deep cross into the net.
• Despite late Derby pressure and 11 minutes of added time, Latics held on for a great opening day result.

Latics started well and had a great chance to go ahead after only two minutes. A crossfield ball from Charlie Hughes to Stephen Humphrys saw him feed Thelo Aasgaard who pulled the ball back, but nobody could make the vital contact in the area.

Seven minutes in and Derby had their first chance. Nathaniel Mendez-Laing’s miss-hit shot came to James Collins free in the box, but Sam Tickle did well to tip the ball around the post.

Derby were now growing into the game and from the resulting corner, Bradley headed just wide from a great position. Forsyth then fired wide from the edge of the box as pressure mounted.

But on 14 minutes Latics’ had a great chance to go ahead. Callum McManaman beat his man and crossed for captain Callum Lang but the striker headed over from a great position.

At the other end Tickle was alert as he tipped Max Bird’s shot around the post.

Latics responded and from a clever corner Humphrys set up Aasgaard on the edge of the box and the midfielder curled a superb effort just over from 25 yards out.

The visitors were ahead on 37 mins after a mistake from Bradley allowed Wyke to run free and the striker calmly rounded the keeper to convert the chance.

Just before half time it should have been two. Wyke produced a lovely pass which played Lang through one-on-one, but the striker was denied by the goalkeeper Wildsmith.

Derby went close to a leveller right from the restart. A free-kick from the right found Forsyth at the back post, but his cut-back went right into the hands of Tickle on the goal line.

But the hosts drew level on 56 minutes. A deflected cross found Forsyth at the back post and he volleyed past Tickle.

Derby smelled an opportunity but Latics held firm. Tickle was again excellent as he made an instinctive save with his legs to deny James Collins.

Against the run of play Latics were back in front on 72 minutes. Tom Pearce produced a superb deep cross right on to the head of Wyke who beat the keeper Wildsmith to send the travelling 2,000 Tics fans into raptures.

Maloney sensibly decided to strengthen the midfield and defence as Baba Adeeko, Scott Smith and Kell Watts came on for the final minutes of the game.

Derby forced a succession of late corners, but despite 11 minutes of added time Latics held on for a deserved three points against the promotion favourites.

Overview

Manager Shaun Maloney has done remarkably well to rebuild the squad after the club nearly went out of business and lost so many players. He has already instilled an attractive style of football into his players. His young team is comfortable playing out from the back, they are remarkably composed on the ball and mature beyond their years. 

Latics had a youthful starting line-up at Derby with an average age of 24-years-old and with mainly academy graduates on the bench. 

Maloney has brought in eight new signings in the close season and four started at Derby and they they have fitted in so well already with Matt Smith particularly impressive in the midfield.

Other stand out performers were Academy products Tickle, Hughes and Aasgaard and the rejuvenated striker Wyke.

It must be a tremendous boost for the club to have Wyke lead the line so well and score two excellent goals. The former Sunderland striker has had the difficult task of rebuilding his career after suffering a cardiac arrest.

It is still very early days and Latics still have to overcome the minus five point deduction, but the future is certainly looking very bright.

Post match comments

Speaking to the media afterwards, Maloney said:

“It was a brilliant result, and the performance had everything,” he smiled.

“At times in the first half, we were very good on the ball, and we didn’t take a step back and tried to play at times. 

“In the second half, they were good and came at us, and we had to suffer. I’m delighted – that’s what Charlie Wyke brings – and we saw a proper team there in the end.

“We had real heart and desire to not concede and I loved a lot of today.”

The 2,000-plus travelling Tics were incredible from start to finish, making a huge difference from the stands as Latics enjoyed a perfect start to the new season.

Maloney more than appreciated the energy levels generated by the away support and is hoping to create many more memories like today in the months to come.

“This one meant a lot and going over to the fans at the end meant a lot. It’s a start and hopefully, we’ve got a few more memories like this to make.”

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