Report by SJG

FRIENDLY

BURY vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

24^th July 1993

A GOOD WORK OUT AS LATICS EARN A DRAW.

A rutted pitch that looked as if it had not been cut since last season failed to stop Wigan playing neat possession football and building steadily from the back. The build-up was slow, perhaps due to the summer heat, and as a result the chances created were few and far between.

Vaughan missed the best chance of a low-key first period when a neat Rimmer pass set him clear. The youngster chose to shoot early and the keeper palmed the effort over the bar.

Bury had little to offer in attack and tended to rely on breakaways, with Nigerian international strike Adekola proving their liveliest player, his snap shot on the half-hour had the Latic debutant Simon Farnworth scrambling across his goal but the shot was wide of the target.

Half Time; Bury 0-0 Wigan Athletic.

The second half saw the game step up a gear when the tireless Rimmer threaded a perfectly weighted through ball to GAVIN and the tall striker’s low shot easily beat the advancing keeper.

Wigan were still celebrating their opener when a long cross from the left found Stevens, who outjumped Johnson and headed the ball to David ADEKOLA who despite being under pressure managed to bundle the ball home.

Latics had been caught by the sucker punch but they recovered their composure quickly and the game returned to the pattern of the first half with chances at a premium.

The last 15 minutes saw several changes in personnel and Bury enjoyed their best period of the game as they finally managed to put the Wigan defence under some concerted pressure.

Farnworth was called upon to make two good saves, firstly tipping a Stevens header over the bar, then bravely blocking a shot by Rigby.

Neil Morton had a solid debut and worked hard closing down the Bury defenders and he certainly proved a handful.  Vaughan had a quiet game in midfield and failed to build on his good showing at Skelmersdale.

Over all it was a pleasing outing against a home side that went very close to promotion in the previous season.

Full Time; Bury 1-1 Wigan Athletic.

Attendance; 850

Scorers; Gavin (48); Adekola (49);

Team; WIGAN (5-3-2)—Farnworth; Duffy, Skipper, Johnson, Robertson, McKearney; Rimmer, Langley, Vaughan; Morton, Gavin; Subs; Hollis (for Duffy), Strong (for Robertson)

Referee; Mr. E. J. Parker.