Sophie Coates moved onto five goals for the campaign with a brace, added to by Holly Davenport’s strike which continued Dale’s perfect start to the season.
Wigan, who were unbeaten going into the fixture, started the brighter of the two as they pinned Dale back early on.
The away side frustrated Lee Atkinson’s side who began to grow into the game ten minutes in with promising chances falling the way of the Dale attackers.
Halfway inside the first 45, Dale seized the initiative. A well-worked ball from midfield found Coates, who beat her first marker before unleashing a precise effort into the corner for the opener.
Hattie Simpson, making her Dale debut in between the sticks, was called into action shortly after and made a good save to prevent an equaliser.
With a one-goal lead at the break, the intent to grab a second paid off just after the interval. Davenport pressed well to force Wigan into a mistake with Alicia Barnett latching onto it for a certain goal, however she was brought down for a spot-kick, which Davenport made no mistake from for two.
The Latics responded with moments of their own, a ball down the right found the winger who went down under no contact and claims were waved away.
Simpson flew to her left-hand side to tip wide a visiting effort which was headed for the target.
This spurred Dale on to grab the all-important third goal and it was the in-form Coates again. Substitute Daisy Mason flicked a forward ball onto the striker who put the ball between the ‘keeper’s legs for three.
Gaffer Lee Atkinson complimented the team’s efforts and desire to keep clean sheets;
“I’m really happy with the group, Wigan are a good side”, said Atkinson.
“We had to get everything right today and we did that with good control and creating good chances.
“It’s another outstanding performance at the back, four clean sheets in five and a fantastic debut from Hattie in goal.
“We turn our focus now to a huge FA Cup game, where we’ll be looking to keep the high standards. We know Penwortham are a good side and we’ll need to take them seriously.”
Dale XI | Simpson, Mackie, Strudwick, Jones, Duckworth, Seals, Moran, Smith, Barnett (c), Davenport, Coates.
Subs | Egbon, Taylor, Mason, Priestley, Whipp.
