• Wigan Athletic got their League One season off to a great start as they defeated Northampton Town 3-1 at the Brick Community Stadium.
• Latics went ahead on the half-hour mark when Joe Hungbo’s inviting cross was volleyed home by Fraser Murray on his debut.
• They doubled their lead in the 43rd minute when Jensen Weir headed home a Hungbo corner at the near post.
• Latics effectively sealed the three points at the start of the second half when Murray added his second goal via a deflection.
• The Cobblers pulled a goal back with 20 minutes remaining when Michael Forbes headed home from close range from a corner.
• Sam Tickle had to make a spectacular save to deny Elliott List but Latics ran out comfortable winners. 
• Latics had created numerous chances throughout and they should have made the score more emphatic with both Dara Costelloe and substitute Paul Mullin missing golden chances towards the end of the game.

Manager Ryan Lowe named an unfamiliar starting XI for the opening League One fixture with many new faces making their debuts.

Murray came in at wing-back for his debut with Academy graduate Tobias Brenan in midfield. There were also debuts for Christian Saydee and Costelloe, who arrived from Portsmouth and Burnley respectively.

Latics started the game strongly with Saydee winning a free kick in the final third. Murray stepped up to take it, curling the ball into the box. The chance was subsequently headed away.

It was Saydee who had Latics’ first real chance of the half, getting on the end of a Carragher long ball. Keeper Lee Burge did well to come and collect.

Murray then tried his luck cutting in from the right but his shot was well-saved by Burge.

Lowe’s Latics deservedly went ahead on the half-hour. Hungbo delivered an excellent cross into the box and Murray angled his strike from inside the box into the bottom corner of the net.

Northampton had a rare chance when Cameron McGeehan went near, his close-range strike scraping the post.

Murray threatened again when his curled free-kick was tipped around the post by Burge. But Latics doubled their lead from the resulting corner.

Hungbo delivered the corner and Weir powerfully headed home at the near post.

The hosts were well on top at half-time and just after the restart, Murray made it three. 

The former Kilmarnock midfielder cut inside the box and curled a strike towards goal. His effort took a deflection on the way into the back of the net, and Latics had effectively sealed the three points.

Brentford loanee Ryan Trevitt replaced the hardworking Brenan on his debut.

The visitors momentarily threatened when a long-range strike clipped the top of Tickle’s crossbar.

Another new signing made his debut during the second half, with Liverpool loanee Isaac Mabaya replacing the impressive Hungbo. 

Northampton then pulled a goal back following a corner with Forbes heading home at the back post.

Soon afterwards Tickle made a spectacular save from Elliott List but Latics should’ve added to their lead when Murray’s pinpoint cross found James Carragher, but the defender headed straight at Burge.

Costelloe and substitute Paul Mullin missed golden opportunities to demonstrate the Tics domination but the score remained at 3-1.

Latics will no doubt face a much tougher test at last season’s unlucky play-off losers Leyton Orient next Saturday in London.

Overview

This was an excellent opening day performance by Latics. The hosts were missing several key players due to injury but the squad had been significantly strengthened in the close season.

Murray, Saydee and Costelloe produced impressive home debuts with Hungbo, Sessegnon and Weir probably having their best performances for the club.

Latics have also signed Plymouth midfielder Callum Wright on loan and experienced defender Morgan Fox has signed a two year contract from Queens Park Rangers.

It’s very early days but Ryan Lowe’s recruitment in the summer looks promising and the more direct style of play should produce positive results in this division.

Post match comments

Speaking afterwards, Manager Ryan Lowe was naturally delighted on the back of the opening day win, and is hoping it’ll be the first of many victories at the Brick Community Stadium in 2025/26.

“I thought the lads were fantastic,” he told the media.

“There was a 20-minute period where we conceded and were flat, but I said if we keep hold of the ball better, we can get our breather with the ball.

“Northampton throw everything at you, and put real pressure on us, but I thought the lads were fantastic. 

“Everything we asked them to do – they applied themselves right, and got the goals and potentially should’ve had a couple more.

“Overall, I’m pleased. I thought the fans were amazing today – it was the first home game, and we showed them what we can do. We have to keep believing that we can do that, and hopefully it’s the first of many wins here at the Brick Community Stadium.

“We’ve been trying to create a feel-good factor since I’ve walked through the door, and we’ll continue to do that.

“The fans will make their noise behind the team, and if we can come together collectively, that would be good.

“We can’t get too carried away. It’s our first win of the season, and we’ve got another 45 to go.

“If we can make the Brick Community Stadium a fortress and be hard to beat, we’ll be okay.

“I felt the passion of the fans. When we win a game like that, it’s a relief that we’ve worked ever so hard and got our rewards for it.

“The fans have been excellent since I came through the door, and we want that to continue. We want to bring the good times back, and it’s a positive start.”

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