Report by SJG

FRIENDLY

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs PRESTON NORTH END

27^th July 1993

LANCASHIRE CUP SUCCESS FOR LATICS SETS UP TASTY GROUP DECIDER.

Wigan unveiled their new look (Inter Milan inspired) kit and their new look team in front of the Springfield Park faithful, but it was very much ‘old habits to the fore’ in the first half as Preston’s youngsters were by far the busier and their pace and enthusiasm saw them getting to the ball first and frequently catching Wigan in possession.

On 20 minutes, and against the run of play, Wigan took the lead when MORTON had time and space to place his low shot into the corner after a well-timed McKearney pass had sprung the Preston offside trap. Preston looked for an instant reply and Latics rode their luck when Burton found space on the left and burst forward into the box before unleashing an angled drive that struck the far upright before it was scrambled clear.

Wigan may have survived that scare but there was no let off when more slack marking allowed Muir to get to the by-line and pull back a good cross for BURTON to steer home from close-range.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 1-1 Preston North End.

The second half was a different story, Dowe came on for Rimmer who had picked up an injury (broken toe), and Morton dropped into a deeper role playing just off the front two.

Morton looked more at home and his prompting gave Wigan a new momentum and they began to dominate the exchanges.

Vaughan, who before kick-off had been awarded a 12-month contract, forced the keeper to save well when his jinking run culminated in a well struck drive from fully 20-yards.

Another foray resulted in a free-kick being awarded and Johnson fired in a free kick that deflected narrowly wide.

Preston’s attacking ideas that had been so evident in the first half were now replaced by dogged defence and it took a moment of exceptional skill to create the winning goal. Morton collected the ball by the corner flag and dummied his way past two defenders before whipping a deep cross to the far post where GAVIN, arriving at pace, powered a downward header past a helpless keeper.  The game petered out in the final quarter with Latics happy to keep possession and a frustrated Preston side tending to be over physical. One overzealous challenge saw Vaughan carried from the field with ligament damage but young Greg Strong came on to good effect and filled in at left back which allowed McKearney to move into midfield. 

A highly competitive game saw Wigan record a hard-fought win but Rimmer and Vaughan are both now likely to miss the big kick off.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 2-1 Preston North End.

Attendance; 1,531

Scorers; Morton (20), Gavin (75); Burton (35);

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

Referee; W. A. Flood.