Report by SJG

FRIENDLY

SKELMERSDALE UNITED vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

20^th July 1993

TRIALIST VAUGHAN NETS A HAT-TRICK.

A warm evening encouraged a decent following to make the short trip to cheer on Kenny Swain’s new charges. Wigans mix and match side settled quickly and Julian Dowe had an early chance to open his account. The young A team star lifted his shot over the advancing keeper but the effort failed to dip sufficiently and a goal kick resulted. Rimmer created the next opportunity when his precise pass released McKearney whose low shot was pushed against the upright before being scrambled to safety. United tried to strike back and their lively number 10 whipped in a shot that Pennock did well to hold.

The Wigan midfield was dominating the ball and when Langley sprang the offside trap with a neat pass MCKEARNEY raced forward and fired home from close-range. A second goal quickly followed when Dowe got to the by-line and chipped in a cross for trialist Danny VAUGHAN to head home.  On the stroke of half-time further neat midfield play from Rimmer and Langley played in VAUGHAN who fired a low drive past the flat-footed keeper.

Half Time; Skelmersdale United 0-3 Wigan Athletic.

Swain made two changes at half time with two trialists, Duffy and Hollis coming on to replace McKearney and Rennie, the changes seemed to disrupt the flow and gradually the home side grew into the game.

On 76 minutes a 25-yard effort by DOWLING beat Pennock in the Latics goal, and shortly after this Pennock was replaced by a trialist.

The non-League side briefly threatened to improve the scoreline yet further, however, it was the tireless VAUGHAN who fittingly had the last word, springing the offside trap with a timely run before netting from the tightest of angles.

Full Time; Skelmersdale United 1-4 Wigan Athletic.

Attendance; 350 (estimated)

Scorers; McKearney (30), Vaughan (39), (45), (89); Dowling (76);

Team; WIGAN (5-3-2)—Pennock; Rennie, Skipper, Johnson, Robertson, McKearney; Rimmer, Langley, Vaughan; Dowe, Gavin; Subs; Duffy (for Rennie), Hollis (for McKearney), Strong (for Johnson), Trialist (for Pennock), Ogden (for Skipper);

Wigans performance at Skelmersdale had seen a welcome return to a more fluent passing style. The midfield clearly enjoyed the new style wit Langley, Rimmer and Vaughan combining well. The defence looked solid and Skipper looked well suited to the sweeper role where his lack of pace was not exposed. In attack Latics were less convincing, Gavin had a quiet game and Dowe looked hesitant and slow. The chairman Stephen Gage has said that there is money available and it seems that Swain will need to spend some of this money on a proven striker, the news that Phil Daley will be out for a while and will probably miss the start of the season simply makes the need even greater.

Latics have been looking to take ex-West Brom and England striker Cyrille Regis on a short- term contract and discussions are said to be ongoing.

One big signing was the capture of Simon Farnworth the ex-Bolton and Preston keeper.

Wigan had been using the fitness centre at the Heinz complex and Swain was full of praise for the high standard of the equipment and facilities that had been made available by the club’s main sponsors.

Next up would be a series of local match ups in the Lancashire Cup.

The Groups were as follows;

GROUP A; Wigan Athletic, Bury, Preston and Manchester United XI.

GROUP B; Burnley, Bolton Wanderers, Blackpool and Rochdale.

Wigan started off with a trip to Gigg Lane to take on the Shakers, before playing at Springfield Park on the Tuesday evening against Preston North End and finally they entertain a strong Manchester United XI in an attractive final group game.

In other news Wigan have been drawn to play Rotherham United in the two legged first round tie for the Coca Cola League Cup.