Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION THREE

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs SCUNTHORPE UNITED

14^th August 1993

NOT THE START WE WANTED.

Scunthorpe’s record of never having beaten Wigan in eleven attempts came to an end but Wigans poor run of results on the opening day of the season continued.  Wigan began slowly and took time to settle as the visitor’s crowded midfield and proved effective at spoiling any passing moves from developing.  Gradually Wigan grew into the game and Morton tested Samways with a sharp turn and first time shot.

Captain Langley then let fly from 25 yards and the shot skimmed the post with Samways beaten. On the stoke of half time Duffy found space on the flank and sent a floated ball into the United box that Gavin met with a spectacular overhead kick that looked goal-bound until Samways produced some last-minute heroics.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 0-0 Scunthorpe United.

The second half was a different story, Scunthorpe successfully stifled midfield and their more physical approach (as evidenced by three bookings) seemed to unsettle Wigan who in frustration resorted to playing longer more direct balls that Scunthorpe coped comfortably with any threat that this posed.

The game was drifting towards a bore draw with neither side able to unlock the opposition’s defence. Then an inexplicable substitution did the trick. The impressive Robertson was withdrawn and replaced by Hollis, and youngster Strong on his league debut was asked to move into a central role.

Within minutes MUDD found space on the left, before he checked inside and fired a shot across Farnworth and into the net off the off the far post.

Then Strong was exposed when he mis-timed a header which fell kindly for SMITH and he clinically fired a shot low and hard past the advancing keeper.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 0-2 Scunthorpe United.

Attendance; 2,353

Scorers; Mudd (83), Smith (88);

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

SCUNTHORPE UNITED (4-4-2)---Samways; Thompstone, Mudd, Carmicheal, Elliott; Bradley, Alexander, Martin, Smith; Thornber, Trebble; Subs; Goodacre (for Bradley), Hope (for Trebble);

Referee; Mr T. Heilbron.