Friendlies Clubs· Season 2026
Rhys Walters scored twice in the first half as Port Vale defeated Wigan 3-1 in a pre-season friendly at the Brick Community Stadium on 18 July 2026.
Match Analysis
AI SummaryHow It Unfolded
Port Vale controlled the opening half-hour and created the first chance in the sixth minute when Headley's cross from the left was just out of reach of Mo Faal. The breakthrough came in the 15th minute (14th per Port Vale's match report): Headley found Onel Hernandez on the right, the Cuban winger cut inside and laid the ball off to Walters, who curled a precise finish into the far corner.
Hernandez nearly turned provider again three minutes later when he reached the byline and fizzed a cross across the six-yard box, with Oli Lynch inches from converting. Max Power had Wigan's first meaningful attempt in the 23rd minute, but his low strike from distance whistled past the post.
Walters struck again in the 42nd minute. A corner from the right was only half-cleared to the midfielder, whose low effort took a bobble past the goalkeeper and nestled in the net.
Jon Brady made seven changes at half-time, but the reshuffle did not disrupt the flow. In the 53rd minute, Kyle John played the ball down the right flank to Lynch, who outmuscled his marker before squaring for Trialist C to sweep a first-time volley into the bottom corner.
Wigan changed their entire XI on the hour mark but found a foothold in the 72nd minute: a cross from the left was cleared only as far as Harrison Rimmer, who headed home from close range. Mason Terry preserved Port Vale's two-goal cushion four minutes later with a sharp reflex save with his legs from Dara Costelloe's close-range effort, and tipped a free-kick over the bar ten minutes from time.
The Turning Point
Walters' second goal in the 42nd minute, just before half-time, effectively settled the contest. The timing — three minutes before the break — meant Wigan entered the dressing room having conceded twice, with no response to Port Vale's midfield control. Jon Brady's seven half-time changes then kept the momentum going, and Trialist C's third goal within eight minutes of the restart extinguished any hope of a Wigan fightback.
Key Performers
Rhys Walters (Port Vale) — Player of the Match. Two goals from midfield, the first a composed curled finish from the edge of the box, the second a low effort that wrong-footed the goalkeeper. Subbed off after 60 minutes having already done the damage.
Onel Hernandez (Port Vale). The Cuban winger, signed earlier this month, was the creative hub in the first half. He set up Walters' opener, created another chance for Lynch, and consistently stretched the Wigan defence with his direct running.
Mason Terry (Port Vale). Introduced at half-time, the Vale goalkeeper made three important saves in the final 20 minutes — a close-range reflex stop from Costelloe, a tipped free-kick, and a comfortable save from Trialist B's long-range effort.
Harrison Rimmer (Wigan). The Latics' best performer in the second half, scoring the consolation goal with a well-taken header from close range in the 72nd minute.
By the Numbers — Interpreted
Port Vale's 3-1 victory reflected sustained first-half superiority rather than a late surge. The provider data shows all three Vale goals came within the first 53 minutes, while Wigan's only goal arrived in the 72nd minute after the hosts had introduced an entirely fresh XI. The 0-2 half-time scoreline accurately captures the balance of play: Port Vale created the clearer chances through Walters and Hernandez, while Wigan's only first-half effort of note was Max Power's 23rd-minute strike that missed the target. The 1-3 final score masks Port Vale's control — the Valiants never trailed and were never seriously threatened after the 53rd minute.
What It Means
This was Port Vale's second pre-season outing after a 5-0 win over Tamworth behind closed doors on 14 July. Jon Brady's side have now scored eight goals in two friendlies without conceding from open play in the first half of either match. Wigan, meanwhile, opened their pre-season schedule with a defeat and will look to sharpen up before their next friendly. The Latics face AFC Fylde (away, 25 July) and Southport (away, 25 July — double-header weekend) before a trip to Grimsby Town. Port Vale continue their preparations with further fixtures yet to be confirmed at the time of writing.
Verdict
A thoroughly professional pre-season performance from Port Vale, whose first-half display — led by the Walters-Hernandez axis — was too sharp for a Wigan side that looked sluggish in the opening 45 minutes. The scoreline was a fair reflection of the gap in sharpness between two sides at different stages of their pre-season build-up. Wigan's response after the wholesale changes offered some encouragement, but Brady's Vale look well ahead of schedule.
Match Events
Wigan and Port Vale have met 7 times — Wigan won 2, Port Vale won 3, with 2 draws. Their rivalry dates back to 2015. Port Vale leads the head-to-head with 3 victories from 7 meetings. A combined 18 goals have been scored across these fixtures, averaging 2.57 per match (9 for the home side, 9 for the visitors). Both teams scored in 3 matches (43%). Over 2.5 goals landed in 4 games (57%), making it a fixture that tends to produce goals. Wigan are currently unbeaten in the last 3 meetings. The highest-scoring encounter finished 3–2 in 2023.
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 19 Jul 2026