Wigan Athletic will never forget Stephen Humphrys' Bolton Wanderers exploits | OneFootball

Stephen Humphrys was a goal scoring hero for Wigan Athletic during recent encounters with bitter rivals Bolton Wanderers

One of the fiercest rivalries in the Football League is that of Greater Manchester rivals Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic, who have historically locked horns in both the Premier League and Championship, but currently reside alongside each other in League One.

It is fair to see that the Latics boast bragging rights over Wanderers when it comes to recent renditions of this particular North West derby, as Shaun Maloney's men did the double over Ian Evatt's side during the 2023/24 campaign.

A 4-0 victory at the Toughsheet Community Stadium was particularly memorable for the Latics faithful back in October 2021, and it was a feat the club stunningly managed to emulate in August 2023.

Stephen Humphrys' Latics heroics vs Bolton will never be forgotten

When Wigan made the short trip to battle their neighbours in 2021, they regarded themselves as favourites, as they were battling for a League One title, which they eventually managed to win, whereas Wanderers had only just been promoted from League Two.

However, by the summer of 2023, the roles of favourites and underdogs were reversed, as Maloney's men turned up at the home of their rivals, recently wounded by relegation from the Championship and an eight-point deduction.

Evatt's side, on the other hand, had landed a play-off spot during the previous League One campaign, and were en route to doing so for a second season running.

But, it was the Latics who recorded their second 4-0 victory at the Toughsheet Community Stadium in as many visits, much to the disappointment of the Wanderers faithful.

There were great performances all over the pitch from the Latics' stars, but none who shone more brightly than winger Stephen Humphrys, who scored a first-half brace.

Target man Charlie Wyke established the lead for Maloney's side on 12 minutes, before Humphrys doubled his team's lead in the 24th minute.

The wind was then well and truly in both Wigan's and the wideman's sails, as he scored his second of the afternoon to establish an unassailable 3-0 lead at half-time.

Wyke then bagged a brace of his own just 15 minutes prior to the final whistle, but it was Humphrys' explosive first-half performance that really set the tone on a memorable afternoon for the Tics.

His derby day performances were not done there either, as he went on to score the only goal of the game as Maloney's side defeated their bitter rivals once more during the reverse fixture.

Humphrys eventually joined Barnsley last summer, when his Latics contract expired, but he left the Brick Community Stadium faithful with some happy memories prior to his departure.

The Tics had fallen on tough times, as they were subject to a winding-up petition earlier on in the summer of 2023, before being saved by owner Mike Danson.

And just weeks after avoiding a painful off-field fate, Humphrys provided the Wigan faithful with a joyous reminder of the sort of performance that can make derby days so special.

Maloney's comments epitomises Humphrys' derby day impact

Following the Latics' 4-0 triumph over the Wanderers, which was largely down to Humphrys' pace and sharp shooting, Maloney told BBC Radio Manchester: "It was a really good day, I hope the fans absolutely love every minute of it.

"We've had some amazing moments but, considering what we've been through in the summer with a complete change around, it's as enjoyable a day as I've ever had at Wigan."

That is a bold statement indeed from a man who assisted the Latics' FA Cup clinching goal as a player, and indicates that Humphrys wrote himself into his club's folklore.