Report by SJG

CHESHIRE COUNTY LEAGUE

WINSFORD UNITED   vs   WIGAN ATHLETIC

1^st October 1932

WIGAN CLIMBING THE LEAGUE.

Winsford had not begun the League season well, but a good home cup win against Northwich Victoria had gone some way to restoring confidence in the side, especially at home where they were sure to provide capable opposition. Latics travelled down to Cheshire in high spirits after their impressive win against Chester and a crowd of 1,600 turned out, in ideal conditions, in anticipation of an exciting match.

Latics began the game with the same XI that performed so well on the Wednesday, and they started the game well. McCabe had an early shooting chance, but he lost his footing in the act of shooting and the opportunity was lost. It took CHAMBERS only three minutes to rediscover his goal-scoring form.  The home defence was unable to clear a Hughes cross and the Wigan forward dispossessed Thompson before firing home. United looked for an instant response and Abbott was called upon to save well from Tew and Downs. The Wigan forwards were rather over eager, and they were caught offside on a number of occasions and on 15 minutes Jones netted again but the score was ruled out as the flag had been raised. The combination play of McCabe and Chambers was proving a handful for the home defence and Chambers brought a good low save from Thompson in the home goal. Allon fed Chambers and a well struck shot saw Thompson diving to turn the effort against a post before it was cleared behind. Then on the half-hour a corner by Murphy was met with a first time shot by MCCABE and the sweetly struck low drive nestled in the home net.

Abbott was called in to action again when he saved from Tew, but it was the home keeper who was by far the busier as he made a string of good stops, most notably from Hughes and Murphy. On 36 minutes McCabe played a through ball for CHAMBERS to chase, and when the defence failed to clear the in-form striker was able to slot home number three. United responded, Simpson fed a good ball to Treanor, who was in space and he was able to find Cooper, but the forward was isolated and the Wigan defence was able to crowd him out such that his effort at goal passed safely over the crossbar.

Half Time; Winsford United 0-3 Wigan Athletic.

Winsford began the second period in a much more aggressive style as they searched for a goal that may provide a route back into the contest. However, the Latics defence was rapidly developing into a solid unit and the home attacks lacked any real penetration.

Wigan continued to pass the ball well but the earlier pace and urgency had been replaced by a tendency to over-play and as a result the home side were able to defend in a more organised manner and their persistent use of the offside trap was increasingly effective at blunting the visitor’s attacks. Hughes managed to skip past his marker but his cross failed to find a red and white shirt. Jones and Murphy then linked well, but the former sent his shot wide of the target. Chambers went in search of his hat-trick when he jumped into the home keeper in an attempt to force him over his goal-line, but to no avail.

Chambers was unlucky when he burst through the United defensive line, only for the referee to pull up play as the ball had bounced up against his arm.

Winsford did have one concerted spell of pressure, firstly a corner kick saw Abbott having to be alert to avoid any danger, and then a well struck free-kick from Blunt beat Abbott but then effort was rising and sailed over the bar. Rimmer went close for United, when he checked inside, but he failed to find the target.

A quick breakaway nearly saw Wigan add to their tally, Chambers fed Hughes, who by now was running his marker, Oates, ragged. Hughes raced clear and struck a low shot, but the angle was tight and favoured Thompson in the United goal, who completed the save.

Murphy on the other wing was the next to try his luck and his shot was smothered on the line. Chambers raced in to challenge the keeper and try and force the ball home, but the referee adjudged that the challenge was overly robust and a free-kick ensued.

Latics were now back in control and seemed content to pass the ball around and use up the remaining game time. Two late forays failed to produce a fourth goal, the first foray by McCabe, who shot against his own man, and second by Jones, who failed to hit the target.

Another away win, another good two points, and Latics were now beginning to climb the early League table, they currently sit in fourth place.

The return of Chambers to the starting XI has certainly boosted their scoring record, and Chambers has now scored a total of sixteen goals, (ten for the first team, and six for the reserves.)

Full Time; Winsford United 0-3 Wigan Athletic.

Attendance; 1,600

Scorers; Chambers (3), (36), McCabe (30);

Team; WIGAN-- Abbott; O’Dell, Callachan; Wake, Spencer, Allon; Hughes, Chambers, McCabe, Jones, Murphy;  

WINSFORD—Thompson; Wilkinson, Oakes; Spence, Blunt, Treanor; Rimmer, Downs, Cooper, Tew, Simpson;

Referee; W.H. Dodd (Tranmere)