Report by SJG

LANCS-MANX CUP

ROCHDALE vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

20^th August 1983

FIVE MINUTE GOAL BLITZ SETS LATICS UP FOR NEW SEASON.

This game was a free hit for Latics as they no longer had any hope of making the final and they seemed much more relaxed as they produced some of their best football of the pre-season campaign during the second half as they turned a game around that had seen Rochdale leading at the break.

Rochdale, under the stewardship of former Manchester United favourite Jimmy Greenhoff, are expected to fare well this season and in the first half it was easy to see why some pundits are tipping Dale for promotion.

Rochdale took the lead on 22 minutes when big target man HIGGINS headed home, via a post, after a run and cross by Chapman. Dale had the chances in the first period to have secured the game as Wigan, minus the injured Methven, looked anything but secure in defence.

Latics could have equalised a minute later when a Williams cross was nodded back by Barrow to Bruce who lashed a shot at goal but was denied by a fine reflex save from Conroy.

Half Time; Rochdale 1-0 Wigan Athletic;

At the break McNally made a tactical change with Butler replacing Williams in a deeper midfield role and this worked a treat as Latics suddenly gained the ascendancy with the extra man in midfield enabling them to dominate in that area. Butler went close with a dipping effort from distance, and then in a sensational five- minute period Latics netted three times. HOUGHTON grabbed the first on 75 minutes when he fired a shot goalwards, ex-Manchester City man Doyle only partially cleared under pressure and when it came back to the Wigan man he fizzed an unstoppable shot into the top corner. Four minutes later and Latics were awarded a penalty when Butler was tripped and CRIBLEY calmly sent the keeper the wrong way from the spot. A minute later and LOWE banged home the third after a neat pass from Bruce.

There was still more drama as substitute Steve Johnson, who had signed from Bury in the close season was tripped by Kilner as he burst into the box and FARRELL reduced the arrears then in the closing minutes a Kilner goal kick was miskicked straight to Johnson who stormed forward but with just Kilner to beat he flashed his drive past the post.

Full Time; Rochdale 2-3 Wigan Athletic;

Scorers; Houghton (75), Cribley (79, pen), Lowe (80); Higgins (22), Farrell (84, pen);

Attendance; 1,550

Teams; WIGAN— Tunks; Langley, Comstive, Walsh, Cribley; Barrow, Bruce, Young, Houghton; Lowe, Williams. Subs: --- Kilner (for Tunks), Butler (for Williams), Aspinall;

ROCHDALE --- Conroy; Oates, Chapman, Williams, Doyle; Farrell, Thompson, Hamilton, Griffiths; Higgins, Allatt; Subs --- Johnson (for Higgins), Greenhoff, O’Connor.

Referee; Mr. A. Robinson (Radcliffe).