• Wigan Athletic recorded their first victory at the Brick Community Stadium since 26th November 2024, when they defeated Bristol Rovers 2-0.
• Latics took an early lead when James Carragher scored his first goal for the club heading home Joe Hungbo’s free-kick on six minutes.
• Rovers only rarely threatened but Sam Tickle did come to Latics’ rescue when Lino Sousa’s cross found Gatlin O’Donkor and Tickle denied him at close range twice.
• A defensive mix up resulted in Dale Taylor setting up substitute Jonny Smith who doubled Latics lead on 70 minutes.
• Thelo Aasgaard then had a great chance to make it 3-0 but he smashed his shot against the bar from 12 yards.
• Latics move up to 16th place and Rovers are in 18th place in the League One table.

Shaun Maloney made four changes from the defeat against Burton with Carragher, Luke Robinson, Silko Thomas and Joe Hungbo replacing Will Aimson, Jon Mellish, Michael Olakigbe and Jonny Smith in the starting line-up.

Latics made an early breakthrough as a free -kick from Hungbo from the right found Carragher free in the box and he headed into the corner for his first ever first team goal.

Dale Taylor went close soon afterwards firing wide from the edge of the box.

The visitors had their first attempt on target when O’Donker tested Tickle from the edge of the box, but it was comfortably saved.

Hungbo went down under a challenge in the box but the referee booked him for diving.

Aasgaard then had a deflected shot loop narrowly wide of Josh Griffith’s far post.

At the other end Rovers best chance came and went. Tickle denying O’Donkor from close range with a huge double save.

On 70 minutes Latics doubled their lead as a poor goal kick saw Taylor set up substitute Smith and he fired clinically into the far corner.

Aasgaard then had a great chance to make it three but his volley crashed against the crossbar.

Rovers tried to get back into the game, but their approach play was mainly tentative and Latics saw out the game fairly easily.

Substitute Jonny Smith had a chance to add his second in added time, but his effort flew just over, before another substitute Jon Mellish fired over from a good position soon afterwards.

An important three points for Latics but can they back it up with wins against Peterborough (A) on Tuesday and Lincoln (H) on Saturday?

Overview

This wasn’t a totally convincing performance by Latics but a valuable three points nevertheless. 

The early goal by James Carragher certainly helped to settle Latics after the disappointing display against Burton on Tuesday night.

Both Luke Robinson and James Carragher did very well coming back into the team after missing out on Tuesday.

Defensively Latics looked more secure with Carragher and Robinson, although Rovers only rarely threatened.

When Rovers did go close Tickle produced a brilliant double save to deny O’Donkor.

In many ways Bristol Rovers played like a poor copy of Shaun Maloney’s team. Slow build up play, passing from side-to-side and a lack of forward drive epitomised their performance.

It was good to see Latics get back to winning ways at the Brick but many other teams in League One will provide much tougher opposition than Rovers.

Post match comments

Speaking to the media, Maloney expressed that he hopes Saturday’s assured win can be the start of making the Brick Community Stadium a tough place for teams to visit. 

“It’s a nice feeling,” he smiled. 

“I was really happy with the performance in lots of different ways. The players were brilliant and I’m very happy. Today felt like a really controlled performance. 

“We hope it’s the start of a home run. I love it here – I know it’s tough midweek when games have been moved.

“If the team performs like they did today, we’ll get the energy and hopefully make this place a tough place to come to.”

Carragher got the ball rolling at the Brick Community Stadium with his first professional goal, and Maloney praised the young defender who enjoyed a moment that he will never forget.

“It’s an amazing moment. I am really pleased for Carra (James Carragher) – I heard our fans sing that he’s one of their own, and it meant a lot to him.

“He’s worked extremely hard to make that moment happen.”

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