Report by SJG

LANCS-MANX CUP

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs BOLTON WANDERERS

16^th August 1983

BARROW SEES RED AS TEMPERS FLARE.

People often complain that pre-season games lack passion, well that criticism could not be levelled at this game.

Wigan certainly performed better than in the Bury game and but for poor finishing and bad luck would surely have won the match.

Bolton began well and created a couple of decent early opportunities but as the heat of battle grew more intense Wigan began to gain the upper hand. Wayne Foster went close in the early exchanges as he just failed to get a telling touch to a driven cross from Deakin. Tony Caldwell had Boltons best chance when he broke through the Wigan defence and faced with just Tunks to beat he hesitated and this allowed the Wigan stopper to smother the ball.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 0-0 Bolton Wanderers.

Wigan controlled the second half and Young played in Taylor but Farnworth was quick to close down the striker and he was able to make the save. Alex Bruce then unleashed a fierce volley at goal that struck Valentine full in the face and pole-axed the defender before flying just wide of the target. Walsh and Rudge were booked after an unsavoury challenge saw the pair squaring up to each other, Joyce was booked for a late scything tackle and then in the 79^th minute Barrow received a yellow card for dissent and as the midfielder had already been booked for a heavy tackle he found himself heading for an early bath, and more worryingly he may now be banned and will miss the first game of the new season.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 0-0 Bolton Wanderers.

Attendance; 2,041

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

BOLTON --- Farnworth; Berry, Deakin, McElhinney, Valentine; Joyce, Saunders, Chandler, Rudge; Foster, Caldwell; Subs not used: --- Platt. Redfearn, McGovern;

Referee; Mr. Keith Walmsley (Blackpool)