Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs SOUTHEND UNITED

20^th October 1990

WIGAN HIT HIGH-FLYING SHRIMPERS FOR FOUR.

Latics produced a fine display of skill, determination and finishing to sink high-flying Southend United.

A tough game was expected but Wigan were quickly out of the blocks and played positive attacking football. After just six minutes a well delivered corner by Griffiths was flicked on by Langley and there was PAGE, unmarked at the back post to bundle the ball home.

Minutes later the lead was nearly doubled as Langley played a long ball that keeper Sansome tried to usher out of play, Page chased down the ball and kept it alive as he crossed to Daley but the forwards header was saved by the retreating Sansome.

DALEY was not to be denied and another corner kick in the 14^th minute was only partially cleared and the centre-forward collected the loose ball and fired home.

Latics continued to have the better of proceedings and they were well worth their half-time lead.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 2-0 Southend United.

Southend came out with more aggression and purpose at the start of the second half and their approach paid dividends when 6ft 4inch centre-half Peter CAWLEY, who had been pushed into a more attacking role, got his head to a set-play and guided the ball beyond the reach of Adkins in the Latics goal.

Southend were now all out in search of more goals and Wigans defence was working hard to keep the visitors at bay.

Highly rated striker Brett Angell, who was on the radar of several top division sides, was a real handful and Atherton and Johnson did well to restrict his opportunities.

On 68 minutes Griffiths floated a teasing cross into the Southend penalty area and Page was quickest to react and get a touch before Cawley slid into the tackle and upended the Wigan man. GRIFFITHS stepped up to take the resulting spot kick and calmly stroked the ball home.

Three minutes later and the result was assured when GRIFFITHS was able to roll home a loose ball after a Sansome, under pressure from Page had flapped weakly at a cross.

Full time; Wigan Athletic 4-1 AFC Southend United.

Scorers; Page (6), Daley (14), Griffiths (68, pen), (71); Cawley (49);

Attendance; 2,691

Teams; WIGAN — Adkins; Parkinson, Tankard, Atherton, Johnson; Langley, Carberry, Woods, Griffiths; Daley, Page Subs; --- Patterson (for Carberry), Pilling.

SOUTHEND UNITED — Sansome; Austin, Powell, Matin, Prior; Tilson, Cawley, Butler, Benjamin; Ansah, Angell; Subs; --- Cornwell (for Martin), Lyng (for Ansah).

Referee; Mr. T. J. Holbrook (Walsall).