Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs BOURNEMOUTH

8^th September 1990

WIGANS BATTLING QUALITIES HELP TO RECORD FIRST WIN OF SEASON.

One thing that Latics have never lacked is the ability to battle hard and it was that quality that was to the fore as they overcame a Bournemouth side, managed by Harry Redknapp, and fancied by many to return to the higher leagues at the first time of asking.

Those battling qualities saw Latics dominate against a Bournemouth side that included a young Jamie Redknapp and an experienced Kevin Bond (Manchester City and Norwich) and Luther Blissett (Watford and AC Milan) within their starting XI.

Wigan forced an early free-kick but Patterson headed narrowly over from the well delivered cross. Then after eight minutes Ian Griffiths brought a smart save out of Guthrie with a well struck shot from distance.

Daley and Page were linking well and with Rimmer picking up any pieces in the middle it was only a matter of time before a goal was scored.

When the goal arrived it was a scrappy affair, Guthrie fumbled a flighted free-kick and in the melee that ensued PAGE got the final touch and prodded the ball home.

Bournemouth had their best spell just before the break when they forced a succession of corners and Adkins had to be alert to push a Blissett header over the bar from close range.

Half time; Wigan Athletic 1-0 AFC Bournemouth.

The game had been niggly in the first half and Denny Mundee had been shown a yellow card after an off the ball clash with Daley, but it boiled over on 53 minutes when Morrell was dismissed following an ugly lunging tackle on Woods.

Latics made the extra man count and were able to put the result beyond doubt in the 66^th minute when a deep corner by Griffiths was nodded back into the danger zone by Daley and PATTERSON, who had a fine game defensively, was on hand to fire home a low shot past Guthrie.

Latics should have recorded a bigger margin of victory but they were wasteful in-front of goal.

The fans leaving the ground were generally pleased with the teams performance. The link up play between Daley and Page certainly promised goals and with the first win of the season now safely pouched the team now have something to build upon.

Full time; Wigan Athletic 2-0 AFC Bournemouth.

Scorers; Page (20), Patterson (66);

Attendance; 2,159

Teams; WIGAN (4-4-2)— Adkins; Parkinson, Tankard, Atherton, Patterson; Appleton, Rimmer, Woods, I. Griffiths; Daley, Page; Subs; --- B. Griffiths (for I. Griffiths), Rogerson;

AFC BOURNEMOUTH (4-4-2)— Guthrie; Mundee, Morrell, Teale, Shearer; Bond, Redknapp, O’Driscoll, Coleman; Aylott, Blissett; Subs; --- Lawrence (for Shearer), Holmes (for Redknapp);

Referee; Mr. A. Bennett (Sheffield).