Wigan fans decided to walk out of the Toughsheet Community Stadium on the 50th minute after going 4-0 down to rivals Bolton.
By half time, Bolton were 3-0 up, and it could have been an even bigger scoreline, Thierry Gale, Marcus Forss and Mason Burstow all finding the net.
Sam Tickle made a number of very good saves while defensively for the Latics, it’s been woeful.
On 50 minutes, Marcus Forss scored his second of the game, and Bolton’s fourth, with the home fans chanting “we can see you sneaking out’ towards those in the away end.
Shortly after, Bolton lost possession in their own half with the ball finding Paul Mullin, who curled one beyond Teddy Sharman-Lowe to get one back for Wigan.
Heads gone hahahahahahahahha (not my video) pic.twitter.com/MRV0Qq6JLf
— Wes (@Wesbwfcagain1) September 20, 2025
WE CAN SEE U SNEAKING OUT😂😂😂😂😂😂#BWFC #WAFC pic.twitter.com/piUtB6SrY5
— conor joe mcmyler (@ConorMcMyler) September 20, 2025
Forssmidable! It’s 4-0 #BWFC pic.twitter.com/APN4ND5trc
— BWFCBWFC (@bwfcbwfc) September 20, 2025
Fucking spineless that #wafc pic.twitter.com/2MjX4G9cKP
— Lee (@LeeWolv) September 20, 2025
Get me out of here #wafc pic.twitter.com/tkUIPL73DP
— Ashmark81 (@wigan276) September 20, 2025
Bolton: Sharman-Lowe; Dacres-Cogley, Forino, Johnston, Conway; Simons, Erhahon (Morley 84); Cozier-Duberry, Forss (Dalby 58), Gale (Cissoko 68); Burstow (Sheehan 84). Substitutes: Miller, Randall, Toal.
Booked: None
Wigan: Tickle; Sessegnon (McManaman 84), Aimson, Fox; Murray, Smith (Wright 69), Adeeko (Asamoah HT), Hungbo (Rodrigues HT); Trevitt, Costelloe (Robinson HT), Mullin. Substitutes: Savin, Cooper.
Booked: Hungbo
Attendance: 25,565 (3,504)
Steven Schumacher told Bolton’s media: “It’s a big win for us going up against a team who have been playing well and I’m delighted that we’ve managed to perform as well under the pressure, the atmosphere, in such a big derby game,” said the Whites’ head coach.
“For us to play that well and be as clinical as we were, especially in the first half, was really pleasing and then we showed a good side to us as well in the second half when we had to deal with a little bit of pressure.
“I’m just delighted with the win. It’s been a long time here so I’m buzzing for everyone. The atmosphere was great. We knew that the numbers were going to be in here and the message to the lads was give them something to shout about, which we did.
“That first-half performance was really good and if we can get to that level again and keep that intensity and that atmosphere in here because it’s not easy to play against when the crowd are behind you and it’s intimidating.
“We need that again, so thanks for the support and I hope you enjoyed the day and you can enjoy an early Saturday afternoon pint!
“We’ve felt that we’ve been in dangerous areas and created chances in all of the games that we’ve played and we just probably haven’t been clinical enough in the big moments. But today we’re 3-0 up after 35 minutes or whatever it was. If we can be as clinical in the next games as we were today, then we’ll be fine.
“Marcus got real quality. We’ve seen that in all of the sessions that we’ve had with him. The way he strikes the ball is excellent and his intensity when he’s out of possession is really good.
“Now we just have to keep trying to build his fitness levels up because he isn’t quite at the same level of game minutes as the other players. But I felt today bringing him into the team to play a little bit closer to Mason will cause Wigan a problem in their back three.
“I’m buzzing for Marcus and hopefully it gives him confidence and we keep seeing him get better with each game that he plays.
“The only negative, probably, from the afternoon is that they scored, which was a mistake trying a counter-attack and trying to go again.
“We had to defend at times and we didn’t have it all our own way. But we stood up to that and we have to show that side to us, that we can stand and fight and battle with teams as well as play football, so I’m pleased with the signs of what the team are doing.”
Wigan boss Ryan Lowe told Latics TV: “We’ll assess it tomorrow, but what I will say is the goals are definitely avoidable,
“To start the way we did and concede those goals and be 3-0 down, we had to then make changes and change shape. The fourth goal just summed it up – it was a calamity, and that’s not what we’re about.
“It’s tough on the fans and players, but we cannot dwell on it too much. We’ll have an opportunity to hopefully put this right in a few months time when we play them (Bolton) again, which is the only bit I can take from that game.
“For us, we’ve now got to go again. The performance from each and every player wasn’t good enough.
“We don’t get gifted opportunities in the way we gifted opportunities to them. I have just addressed it with the lads, asked them their questions, and they gave me their answers, which is good.
“They know they weren’t up to the levels, but it’s one game. It’s one we can’t do again, and we need to make sure next time that we are better.
“To dwell on it would be cynical from our side. My job is to pick the lads up, and go again.
“I always apologise – it’s on me. I am the Head Coach, and I am big enough and brave enough to do that. I apologise on behalf of everyone at the Football Club, in terms of the players, especially. They (the fans) were there in their numbers today, and we want to send them home happy in derby games like that. “I’ll always apologise to the fans when I think the performance is nowhere near what I like and what they like.
“Thanks for your support – it’s been excellent and we want that to continue. We will find a formula to get us points away from home.
“It’s disappointing – I apologise on behalf of the players and staff – but we can’t dwell on it too much. We’ve got to go again.”
Here’s how Twitter users reacted as Wigan fans walk out on the 50th minute after going 4-0 down to Bolton…
@laurdarbyshire: Never left a single game early… until now. Pathetic #wafc
@HarrisonCocker: Can’t believe I’m going to be back home at half 3 going to an early kick off, absolutely spineless from manager to player that, Bolton didn’t even have to get out of second gear #wafc
@mikextics: He’s got take full responsibility for this Lowe, he’s chucked them under the bus today. #wafc
@AC9632: Bring back Maloney all is forgiven 😂😂 #wafc
@Jack_Dixon97: Say what you want about Maloney but his team would never capitulate like this. Spineless. #wafc
@lewburgess11: Correct unforgivable so much wrong with that 11 today not one of em understood how big that is today, especially the one he transfer listed other week and started him today👍 #wafc
@UTFT1998: Absolutely fucking atrocious. Dock their wages. #wafc
@upthetics25: Ryan Lowe is the best thing that has happened to this club for 5 years but this is on him #wafc
@carl_finch85: That defence wouldn’t get in a pub team #wafc
@rimmington01: I’ve never ever been as angry at a result as this. What on earth was that today, no fight, no effort, nothing. They all looked terrified of the ball. No one wanted to attack, no one wanted the ball. Absolute disgrace. #wafc
@CaliJ98: Can’t lie alarm bells went off mid week Lowe playing the game down saying ‘it’s just another game’ it’s not, can see half of them aren’t arsed. Hope Bolton get 7 just so I can get a refund #wafc
@Chris_L95: Fuck sake lads, what is going on? #wafc
@anthonytylerno1: That was bad, midfield overrun, and the defence has more holes in it than a teemu shower cap. #wafc
@wigangee: Of all the games not to turn up in #wafc
@ollie_finch11: the worst half of football ive ever watched, could be 5 or 6 this
@Declan86868411: Fucking joke giving the wingers all that space seen better defending at my local Sunday league side
@soccerates: Think everyone that went deserves a refund as well @LaticsOfficial #wafc. Players can pay for it.
@wafc___ryan: Exactly what we deserve tbh. Been shite, Bolton literally having our pants down all game. #wafc
@farrelljs_: Evatt spent 5 years down playing the Derby, Lowe has done the same for the two games he has had “it’s just another game.” Completely wrong approach to the match #wafc
@rayunsworth2: Lowe out, picked the wrong fucking team.
Awww
Thought it was a big game for them?#BWFC #WAFC pic.twitter.com/qbCGVsRqNW
— Col 🗣️ 🎙️ (@ColBwfc) September 20, 2025
Was it not a sell out for wigan?🤔🤔 https://t.co/UCxLPfzyqR pic.twitter.com/8cM0zKUKtD
— conor joe mcmyler (@ConorMcMyler) September 20, 2025
