Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION FOUR

ALDERSHOT vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

24^th January 1981

SHOTS LOSE UNBEATEN HOME RECORD AS QUINN STRIKES EARLY.

Wigan became the first side to claim victory at the Recreation Ground when a single Tony Quinn strike proved a real tonic as it banished the memory of recent reverses and had Ian McNeill talking of promotion.

The first Wigan attack saw Jopling upend Houghton and when Urquhart floated in the free kick he found the head of Colin Methven who nodded down for QUINN to prod home past Johnson in the home goal.

The home side reacted well to the set back and Ward had to be brave to save well from Hampshire, receiving a blow to the head for his troubles that saw him have lengthy treatment. Not that Latics were sitting back, and they could have grabbed a second in the 12^th minute when Urquhart fed Quinn and only Johnsons speed off his line denied the striker a brace.

Aldershot were forced into an early change when Robinson picked up a bad knock following a robust challenge but they soon recovered from the injury blow and Wigans well organised defence came under increasing pressure with McAdam being forced to clear one floated effort off the line for a corner and Lucas flashed a fierce volley narrowly wide of the target.

Houghton had a chance to double the lead with a snap shot from close range but Johnson got down well to turn his effort round the post, and the keeper had to be alert again just before the break when an over hit back pass had him scrambling to clear.

Half time; Aldershot 0-1 Wigan Athletic.

The second period saw the home side piling on the pressure and shouts for a penalty for handball were waved away by the referee who had to book Quinn and Bennett as tempers flared.

Wooler, in midfield, was finding pockets of space and created a number of chances but Hampshire fired wide when well placed and Sanford just failed to get a telling touch to a teasing cross.

When McMullen limped off, to be replaced by Mick Quinn the home side became even more dominant. However, they continued to be wasteful with Lucas firing over from a Hampshire pass and Wooler firing a free kick straight at the Ward who saved with ease.

With time running out the home sides efforts became more desperate with Hampshire mis-kicking in the box and Edwards seeing a shot blocked, but Latics held firm and saw the remaining time out in competent fashion to the delight of manager McNeill.

Full time; Aldershot 0-1 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; A. Quinn (1);

Attendance; 2,932

Team; WIGAN—B. Ward; Fretwell, McAdam, Methven, Cribley; Urquhart, Wright, Hutchinson, McMullen; Houghton, A Quinn; SUB; M. Quinn (for McMullen)

ALDERSHOT— Johnson; Edwards, Wooler, Briley, Bennett; Jopling, Lucas, Hampshire, Robinson; Sanford, Crosby; SUB; Youlden (for Robinson).

Referee; Mr. Cliff Maskell (Cambridge).

One glance at the table would tell you that there is plenty of work to do if the manager’s dream of promotion is to be achieved but more disciplined performances like this should see the team climbing the table.