Report by SJG

FRIENDLY

STAFFORD RANGERS vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

9^th August 1983

FITNESS IS THE FOCUS, AS LATICS IMPRESS.

Wigan continued to build their match fitness with an intriguing game against old foes from their non-league days.

Rangers unveiled their newest signing, ex-Walsall and West Brom midfielder John Loveridge and he looked at home in his new surroundings as he impressed with his range of passing.

The first half was short on chances and incidents but the home side had the better of the exchanges with Sunley, Chapman and Austin all going close.

Half Time; Stafford Rangers 0-0 Wigan Athletic.

Loveridge went close at the start of the second half but Tunks, at full stretch, turned the well struck drive around the post.

After that scare Wigan stepped up their intensity and they were soon rewarded when Lowe dispossessed Hanchard and played the ball wide of the stranded Dance to TAYLOR who made no mistake.

Wigan continued to press and Dance did well to deny Lowe and Houghton but he had no chance when HOUGHTON produced a lovely lobbed effort that doubled the Latics lead.

Rangers grabbed a consolation goal on 80 minutes when CHAPMAN fired in a well taken goal from a tight angle, but Tunks will be disappointed to have been beaten at his near post.

Wigan regrouped and comfortably saw out the remaining minutes to collect the win.

Full Time; Stafford Rangers 1-2 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; Taylor (54), Houghton (80); Chapman (85);

Attendance; 800 (est).

Teams; WIGAN— Tunks; Langley, Comstive, Walsh, Butler, Methven; Barrow, Bruce, Lowe; Houghton, Taylor. Subs not used: --- Kilner, Aspinall, Williams;

STAFFORD RANGERS --- Dance; Williams, Mooney, Hanchard, Brissett; Westwood, Loveridge, Chapman, Mills; Sunley, Rich; Subs: --- Arnott (for Westwood), Burgin (for Loveridge),

Referee; Mr. G. Banwell (Stafford)