Wigan have extended their unbeaten run in League One to eight games after a convincing 3-0 win at home against Port Vale.
The Latics made two changes to the starting lineup that faced Crewe last Saturday, with Haris Vuckic replacing the injured Michael Jacobs. Will Grigg returned to the starting eleven after overcoming a hip injury, replacing Jordy Hiwula. Wigan new boys Ryan Colclough and Sam Morsy were awarded a spot on the subs bench for the game.
Having scored 10 goals in their previous four League One matches, and nine in their last three home games, Wigan were hoping to continue on their sensational scoring form against The Valiants.
Latics fans didn’t have long to wait, with the opening goal coming inside eight minutes. A scramble in the box saw the ball squirm into Port Vale keeper Jak Alnwick’s net, giving Wigan the lead. Initially, the goal was credited as an own-goal by Vale defender Richard Duffy, however the dubious goals panel later reversed the decision to a Will Grigg strike.
A shell-shocked Port Vale side struggled to keep up with Wigan’s relentless attacking speed and pressure, almost surrendering another goal when a Chris McCann cross almost fooled Alnwick in the Vale goal, requiring smart reactions from the Englishman to prevent a Latics second.
Wigan shot-stopper Jussi Jääskeläinen was called into action for the first time in the afternoon in the 15th minute, making an impressive save from a Matthew Kennedy header.
As the first half progressed, The Latics continued to penetrate the Vale back-line, Grigg almost adding to his tally in the 30th minute, narrowly shooting over from a Reece Wabara cross.
Port Vale’s hopes of going into the dressing room at half time behind only one goal were dashed in the 39th minute when Ryan McGivern clattered into Grigg inside the penalty box. Referee Darren Drysdale awarded The Latics a penalty, before dismissing McGivern for the foul. Grigg stepped up and converted the penalty via the crossbar, his and Wigan’s second to give The Latics a 2-0 lead heading into the second half.
Hoping to capitalise on teams around them slipping up, Wigan sped into the second half at the same rate they exited the first, pressurising the Port Vale defence at every opportunity.
In the 55th minute, assister of Wigan’s first goal Yanic Wildschut burst into the centre of the pitch with a surging run from the left wing, however the Dutchman skewed his following powerful drive wide of Alnwick’s goal.
Wigan’s first substitution of the game came in the 62nd minute, with Haris Vuckic being replaced by Crewe top scorer Ryan Colclough , a player that further complements Wigan’s frighteningly powerful arsenal of attacking players.
Immediately after the substitution, Wigan midfield maestro Max Power almost added another long range strike to his season’s tally, sending a stinging shot inches wide of Alnwick’s right side post.
As the clocked ticked towards 70 minutes, Wigan sealed victory with a third goal. Chris McCann picked up the ball outside the box and deftly slotted it into the feet of Will Grigg, the Northern Ireland international sweeping the ball beyond Alnwick into the corner of the net to grab a hat-trick.
The goal capped Grigg’s first hat-trick since 26 February 2013, the then 21-year-old scoring 3 for Walsall in a League One clash with Carlisle United. Grigg’s hat-trick was also the first by a Latics player since Jordi Gomez’s three goal effort on the 24 November 2012 against Reading in the Premier League.
A second Wigan debut was in store in the 70th minute, with former Chesterfield captain Sam Morsy coming on in place of Max Power.
Debutant Colclough almost made the perfect start to his Wigan career, striking narrowly wide after weaving through the Port Vale defence with ease.
A final substitution saw Jordy Hiwula replace hat-trick hero Grigg, whose outstanding attacking prowess contributed significantly to the Latics’ well deserved victory.
Speaking to Wigan’s club website following the game, Latics manager Gary Caldwell reflected on a superb performance by his side.
“Right from the start we showed our intent to win the game and play on the front foot.” Caldwell said.
“He got the three goals and that is good for his confidence and he will kick on from today in the remaining months of the campaign.”
