• Wigan Athletic produced an impressive performance to defeat high-flying Doncaster Rovers 3-0 at the Brick Community Stadium.
• Latics went ahead after only 11 minutes when Dara Costelloe bundled the ball home from close range following Joe Hungbo’s cross.
• They doubled their lead on 14 minutes when Matt Smith produced a classy finish from 12-yards.
• Early in the second half the three points were effectively sealed for the free-flowing Latics when Fraser Murray curled home a superb strike into the bottom corner from 20-yards.
• Billy Sharp went close for the visitors with a near post header before Costelloe had a one-on-one with goalkeeper Timothee Lo-Tutala but it remained at 3-0.
• Latics move up to eighth place and Doncaster drop to fifth place in the League One table.

Manager Ryan Lowe made two changes from last Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Lincoln City, with Steven Sessegnon and Dara Costelloe replacing Jason Kerr and the suspended Christian Saydee in the starting line-up. 

Latics were quick out of the blocks and put Rovers under pressure from the kick off. 

Latics were ahead after only 11 minutes, Hungbo crossed from the right-hand side, and the ball evaded goalkeeper Thimothêe Lo-Tutala, and Costelloe bundled the ball home at the back post for his first goal for the club

The hosts doubled their lead just three minutes later when Smith produced a classy finish.

Smith controlled Lo-Tutala’s punch following a Murray delivery, before showing great composure to dummy the advancing Matthew Pearson, and precisely place his shot into the bottom corner from 12-yards.

Smith went close soon afterwards when he hit a wonderful volley towards the top corner but this time he was denied by a strong Lo-Tutala save.

At the other end Doncaster tried to get back in the game and acting captain Will Aimson had to be at his best to block a Billy Sharp strike from inside the penalty area. 

Luke Molyneux managed to get in a shot through the legs of Hungbo but Sam Tickle did enough to push it wide. 

Latics almost added a third when Morgan Fox met Murray’s left-sided corner, and Lo-Tutala had to tip the header over the crossbar. 

Doncaster briefly threatened at the start of the second half when Billy Sharp connected with a corner, glancing his header wide of the target.

Soon afterwards Latics were three goals ahead and effectively sealed the three points.

Murray cut inside and curled a superb strike into the bottom corner for his fourth goal of the season.

Costelloe then had a one-on-one with Lo-Tutala but he was unable to capitalise on the opportunity.

The visitors again briefly threatened when Molyneux’s dangerous cross appeared to be going in, but a combination of the woodwork and Sessegnon kept the ball out.

Doncaster made several substitutions to try to change their fortunes but Latics stayed in control and comfortably saw out rest of the game.

Lowe’s men had produced an emphatic display which should give them confidence ahead of next weekend’s trip to face their local rivals in Horwich.

Overview

This was top drawer stuff from the Tics. Right from the kick off they took the game to Doncaster who have been in fine form and had only lost one game previously. 

There were a couple of classy finishes from Matt Smith and Fraser Murray but this was a great team performance overall.

Steven Sessegnon slotted into defence for the absent Jason Kerr and produced an accomplished display.

Paul Mullin and Dara Costelloe leading the line in the absence of Christian Saydee worked their socks off and proved a handful for the visitors.

Matt Smith was particularly influential in midfield and he showed top quality with his goal.

Latics now have quality in depth following their summer recruitment. They are no longer relying on untried loan players and players from the Academy who aren’t ready for first team football. 

The addition of reserve goalkeeper Toby Savin, Raphael Borges Rodrigues and Ollie Cooper late in the transfer window have also added that extra bit of competition for a first team place.

All in all a very promising display by Lowe’s men which augurs well for the rest of the season.

But the next two league fixtures away at Bolton and at home to Cardiff will provide an even better indicator as to how much Latics have progressed.

Post match comments 

Speaking post-match, Ryan Lowe felt the performance was full of positives and is one that they can build on heading into Derby Day next weekend. 

“I’m over the moon,” he told the media.

“I thought they were excellent and did everything that we asked them to do. We were well worthy of the three-nil.

“Dara (Costelloe) could’ve made it four, and we had some unbelievable crosses going into the box that we need to get on the end of.

“I can’t complain. Three goals, a clean sheet, and a good Saturday afternoon.

“Every performance is complete when you win, but we will take bits from it where we can do a little bit better.

“Good teams can hurt you, and I thought we turned the ball over a bit. I don’t want that – I want us to keep the ball for large parts, and play in the areas where we feel we can play. 

“I’ll always critique a little bit – to keep the lads on their toes and make sure they’re not getting carried away. They’re grounded lads, but they have to stay on each other now.

“There are places up for grabs – the skipper (Jason Kerr) missed today with a niggle on his knee, so it was important we made sure we were right (at the back). 

“I always want to strive for real quality and completeness – but I was happy with it and it’s a big three points.”

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