Stephen Humphrys grabbed a double. Photo courtesy of Wigan Athletic

• Wigan Athletic enjoyed a tremendous away day as they stunned local rivals Bolton Wanderers with a 4-0 victory at the unfortunately named Toughsheet Stadium.
• Latics were rampant in the opening half as first striker Charlie Wyke headed home on 12 minutes before Stephen Humphrys slotted the second after Callum Lang’s shot was parried by keeper Nathan Baxter in the 24th minute, and in first half stoppage time Humphrys added his second and Latics’ third.
• Bolton enjoyed plenty of possession but failed get past keeper Sam Tickle and a resolute Latics defence.
• Wyke added his second and Latics fourth goal in the 75th minute as they completed a spectacular rout of their opponents.
• Latics have now wiped out their eight-point deduction and are on plus two points and sit in 19th place in the League One table. Bolton drop to second place after four games played.

Shaun Maloney made two changes to the starting eleven who drew with Carlisle United in midweek. Kell Watts came in for Liam Morrison whilst Humphrys was recalled to the team in place of the injured Thelo Aasgaard. 

Latics started brightly and created early pressure resulting in an early goal for Wyke. Tom Pearce’s corner found Wyke at the back post and he calmly headed into the corner of the net.

The Trotters looked for an instant response, but Tickle palmed away an early opportunity for the hosts.

But it was Latics who added to their lead on 24 minutes. Lang pressed forward winning the ball high up the field, he drove forward before firing a low strike which goalkeeper Baxter palmed into the path of Humphrys who made no mistake with the follow up.

At the other end Dan Nlundulu got on the end of Aaron Morley’s cross, but his effort was straight at Tickle. Nlundulu then tried his luck from inside the box but Tickle was again able to save.

As the match moved into first half stoppage time Latics sealed their first half dominance with a third goal. Lang broke free of a static Bolton backline before firing a shot at goal which was saved by the keeper, but Humphrys was again the man on the spot as he grabbed his second goal and Latics third. Latics fans were in Dreamland now, 3-0 to the Tics at half-time.

Early in the second half the hosts had an opportunity to get a goal back as the ball fell kindly to Josh Dacres-Cogley inside the box, but he somehow missed the target.

Ian Evatt’s team tried desperately to get a foothold but Latics defence were resolute.

Scott Smith and Liam Morrison replaced Callum McManaman and Humphrys on 67 minutes. 

Morrison was soon in the action and he came to Latics rescue on 70 minutes as he blocked superbly from Mendes Gomes in the box.

Despite Wanderers pressure Latics always looked dangerous on the counter attack and Wyke added a fourth goal on 75 minutes.  

The powerful striker added his fifth goal of the season when he drove forward and fired at the Wanderers goal and although keeper Baxter got a hand to it, he could not stop it from finding the back of the net. More joy for the travelling 4,000 Latics fanatics!

The Trotters had a chance for a late consolation through Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, but his effort flew wide before Baba Adeeko fired a speculative effort towards goal from near the right corner flag which Baxter did well to palm away from under his crossbar.

Cameron Jerome came off the bench for Bolton had a header hit the roof of the net late on but Latics held out fairly comfortably for a memorable 4-0 victory. The result was a repeat of the last time Latics played in Bolton, winning 4-0 on 16th October 2021.

Overview

This was a very impressive performance by Maloney’s young team. Not only did they produce some excellent football they were also very determined and fully committed to overcome a team who were one of the League One favourites, and had started the season with three wins out of three.

Bolton were without their top scorer Dion Charles due to suspension, but Latics won many of the 50/50 challenges and outfought a seemingly more experienced Bolton squad.

Latics had failed to be clinical against Carlisle United in midweek and this had resulted in two lost points, but on Saturday they were ruthless in their finishing with Wyke and Humphrys grabbing a couple of goals each.

It’s likely that Latics will need someone to get around 20 goals this season if they are to mount a serious promotion challenge, but on this form a reinvigorated Wyke who already has five goals, could be the man to do it. 

This young team is getting better week-by-week and expectations for the season are growing amongst the fanbase. It is still early days in League One but the prospect of reaching the playoffs doesn’t look beyond them.

Post match comments

Speaking afterwards Shaun Maloney couldn’t hide his delight after an unbelievable result and performance. 

“It was outstanding,”he smiled.

“To a man, and the substitutes, I thought the team was brilliant. The players were brave, and Bolton are a good side.

“We made a decision to go really aggressive and the players deserve every bit of credit for that. From the first whistle to the last, I thought they were excellent. 

“I hope the fans enjoy every single bit of this. 

“I have to be humble because Bolton are a good team and started very well. We were very good.

“To come here with the amount of Academy players we have, new players, and the age of group, it’s a completely different Club. To come here again and have a result like this is special.”

Player ratings

Player ratings courtesy of Whoscored.com