Narrow defeat for Latics against a young Wolves side

Wigan Athletic 1 - 2 Wolves Under 21s

Despite Asamoah Jr's first goal of the 2025/26 campaign, the home side fell to a 2-1 defeat in their second EFL Trophy fixture.

Authors | Amy W

Stadium | The Brick Community Stadium

The match carried real importance for Wigan, who needed a positive result to keep their hopes of progressing to the knockout stages alive.

Having lost at home to League Two side Salford City in their opening group fixture, Latics sat joint-bottom of Group A alongside their visitors.

An end-to-end first half

Latics showed flashes of promise early in the contest but found themselves behind after 12 minutes when Tom Edozie finished off a well-worked move down the right.

Their threat from set pieces and in the air offered encouragement, and Weir came close to restoring parity midway through the first half, glancing a header narrowly wide from Callum McManaman’s teasing free-kick.

A first of the season for Asamoah Jr. 👊#wafc 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/HDoHkTWD65

— Wigan Athletic (@LaticsOfficial) October 8, 2025

The pressure eventually told just before the half-hour mark, as Asamoah Jr drew Wigan level with his first goal of the season. Weir showed great tenacity to win back possession high up the pitch before threading a precise pass through to Asamoah Jr, who surged into the box and slotted calmly across the keeper.

Second half and late disappointment

After a subdued opening to the second period, Wigan began to build momentum and test Wolves’ defence in the final third. McManaman was central to much of their attacking play, seeing two efforts blocked in quick succession inside the area.

Glenn Whelan, in charge of the side for the evening, made a double substitution with 25 minutes remaining. Joe Adams replaced Wright in midfield to make his senior debut after more than a year out injured, while Christy Edwards came on for Robinson.

Wolves’ under-21s sealed victory with two minutes left when Mané converted from the penalty spot. Latics pressed for an equaliser in six minutes of stoppage time, but Asamoah Jr’s curling strike drifted agonisingly wide of the far post.