Wigan Athletic were held to a goalless draw by Southport in a pre-season friendly at Haig Avenue on Friday evening. Gary Caldwell’s side, featuring a mix of youngsters, returning players and trialists, struggled to find the net in a low-key encounter that offered valuable minutes ahead of the new League One campaign.
What happened in the match?
The game remained scoreless throughout, with both sides creating few clear-cut chances. Southport made the brighter start, with Jordan Slew’s cross flashing across the goal early on. Wigan’s best opportunity came when K’Marni Miller set up Kai Payne, but his effort was saved. Trialists Tom McIntyre, Scott Hogan and Archie Harris all started, while Llyton Chapman made his first appearance since April following injury.
Why it matters for Wigan Athletic
This friendly provided crucial pre-season minutes for Wigan’s young players and trialists as they look to stake their claim ahead of the new season. With the club finishing 16th in League One last season (56 points, 14W-14D-18L), Caldwell will be looking for improvements as they prepare for the upcoming campaign. The match also allowed returning players like Chapman to regain match fitness.
What comes next for Wigan Athletic?
Wigan Athletic will conclude their pre-season schedule with another friendly against Grimsby on Saturday. The new League One season is set to begin soon, with Wigan aiming to build on their recent form (LLDWW) and improve on last season’s 16th-place finish. The focus will now shift to finalizing the squad and preparing for competitive action.
