Crossword Genius

American serving up filling pasty in English town (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

wigan

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'english town' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'american serving up filling pasty' is the wordplay.
'american serving' becomes 'gi' (GI is a term for a US soldier).
'up' says the letters should be written backwards (in down clue: letters go upwards).
'filling' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'pasty' becomes 'wan' (synonyms).
'gi' backwards is 'ig'.
'ig' put inside 'wan' is 'WIGAN'.

'in' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for wigan that I've seen before include "Lancashire FC" , "Lancashire town" , "Manchester-area town, its Pier, Orwell" , "The Road to -- Pier (Orwell)" , "Town near Manchester" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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