Friendlies Clubs· Season 2026
Chris Sze scored twice and Fraser Murray added a third as Wigan Athletic beat AFC Fylde 3-0 in a pre-season friendly cut short by a serious injury to trialist Nico Lawrence.
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Match Analysis
AI SummaryHow it unfolded
Wigan needed only 10 minutes to take the lead. Dara Costelloe was fouled inside the box, and Chris Sze stepped up to convert from the penalty spot for 1-0.
AFC Fylde had a golden chance to equalise in the 33rd minute when they were awarded a penalty of their own, but Dylan Hadley-Allen saw his effort saved — the miss preserving Wigan's lead.
Sze made the hosts pay just before half-time, scoring his second of the afternoon in the 42nd minute to make it 2-0 at the break. The provider records the goal as a normal strike, with winger Akeel Higgins reportedly the provider after being brought down in the build-up.
Fraser Murray put the result beyond doubt in the 54th minute, latching onto a pass and clipping a composed finish past AFC Fylde goalkeeper Zac Jones to make it 3-0.
The turning point
The match was effectively settled by Sze's second goal just before half-time, but the defining moment of the afternoon — and arguably of Wigan's pre-season — came late on. Lawrence collapsed in a non-contact incident with no opponent near him. Medical staff from both clubs rushed to the scene, and after a prolonged delay, referee Craig and both managers agreed to end the match early.
"I think everyone in the stadium seen it straight away," Caldwell told Wigan Athletic's media channel. "Nobody near him, nobody at fault, just one of these freak things that can happen in football."
Key performers
Chris Sze: The 24-year-old converted both of his penalties with composure, including a Panenka-style effort that beat the goalkeeper. His brace took his pre-season tally to three goals in two appearances.
Fraser Murray: The Scottish midfielder scored the pick of the goals with a clipped finish from inside the area, adding a third that gave the scoreline a comfortable feel.
Joe Walsh: The Wigan goalkeeper made a sharp reflex save to deny Hadley-Allen's penalty, a crucial stop that kept the score at 1-0 and shifted momentum firmly in the visitors' favour.
Player of the match: Chris Sze.
By the numbers — interpreted
Wigan's 3-0 scoreline reflected a dominant performance, though the provider data shows they were clinical when it mattered rather than overwhelmingly dominant in possession. The decisive sequence came between the 33rd and 42nd minutes: Hadley-Allen's missed penalty and Sze's quickfire second goal swung the match from a potentially nervy 1-0 to a comfortable 2-0 half-time lead. The early abandonment means no full-time statistics are available, but Caldwell noted his side created "loads of chances off the back of winning the ball high up the pitch."
What it means
Wigan Athletic continue their pre-season preparations with two wins from their opening friendlies. Caldwell's side — who finished 16th in League One last season — have eight new signings already integrated this summer, the second-highest tally in the division. The Lawrence injury will be a concern for a squad still building depth, though Caldwell stressed the incident was a "freak" occurrence.
AFC Fylde have now played five pre-season friendlies and will look to regroup before the National League campaign begins. The Coasters have shown promise in patches — beating Longridge Town and Hyde United — but have now lost to higher-league opposition in Wigan, Blackpool and Huddersfield.
Next up: Wigan Athletic face their final pre-season test before the League One opener against Barnsley. AFC Fylde continue their build-up to the National League season.
Verdict
A professional pre-season workout for Wigan that achieved what friendlies are meant to — minutes in legs, a clean sheet and goals for confidence. The scoreline was fair, if not flattering, against a Fylde side that competed for spells but lacked the cutting edge to punish a League One backline. The injury to Lawrence, however, leaves a shadow over the afternoon and a concern Caldwell could do without a fortnight before the season starts.
Match Events
AFC Fylde and Wigan have met 4 times — AFC Fylde won 0, Wigan won 3, with 1 draws. Their rivalry dates back to 2017. Wigan leads the head-to-head with 3 victories from 4 meetings. A combined 12 goals have been scored across these fixtures, averaging 3.00 per match (3 for the home side, 9 for the visitors). Both teams scored in 2 matches (50%). Over 2.5 goals landed in 2 games (50%), making it a fixture that tends to produce goals. Wigan are currently unbeaten in the last 4 meetings. The highest-scoring encounter finished 3–2 in 2017.
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 26 Jul 2026
