Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION THREE

PLYMOUTH ARGYLE vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

28^th August 1983

PLYMOUTH LET LATICS OFF THE HOOK.

Latics got the season off to a good start with a hard-earned point on the South Coast against a lively Plymouth Argyle side.

New summer signings Paul Comstive, Steve Taylor and Alex Bruce all started and the Wigan defence took no prisoners with a robust approach to repelling any Argyle threats that saw Walsh, Taylor and Comstive booked as a string of free kicks saw the game struggle to develop any real rhythm.

The first half was bogged down in midfield and neither side gave the crowd of 3,730 much to enthuse about before the break.

Half Time; Plymouth Argyle 0-0 Wigan Athletic.

Plymouth did produce some more adventurous play after the break and but for poor finishing would surely have won the match by a comfortable margin.

The miss of the season arrived three minutes after the break when Hodges got behind the Wigan defence and pulled back a lovely cross to the far post where Rogers was lurking and he blasted his effort straight at Tunks who had spread himself well to present a formidable barrier but in truth he should have been given no chance.

Andy Rogers was then played in on goal by a fine Phillips pass but his weak side footed effort was blocked by Tunks who made the close-range save. Tynan, Hodges and Harrison all squandered good chances and if it was not good goalkeeping and bad finishing that kept the men from Devon at bay it was the inspirational performance by young Steve Walsh at the heart of the Wigan defence.

In the final quarter it was Plymouth who suddenly found themselves pushed back onto defence as Wigan finished the game as the stronger side and with the tide turming the ball fell to Wigans young midfielder John Butler nearly grabbed a late winner.

 The Plymouth keeper Geoff Crudgington allowed a low shot to squirm from his grasp and only quick reactions from the keeper allowed him to grab the ball before it crossed the goal-line.

Full Time; Plymouth Argyle 0-0 Wigan Athletic.

Attendance; 3,730.

Teams; WIGAN— Tunks; Cribley, Comstive, Walsh, Methven; Barrow, Bruce, Lowe, Butler; Houghton, Taylor. Sub not used: --- Langley.

PLYMOUTH --- Crudgington; Nisbet, Uzzell, Harrison, Smith; Forbes, Hodges, Phillips; Tynan, Staniforth, Rogers; Sub not used: --- Cooper.

Referee; Mr. L. F. Burden (Poole).