Report by SJG

FOOTBALL LEAGUE CUP

FIRST LEG

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs ROTHERHAM UNITED

17^th August 1993

FARNWORTH HEROICS KEEPS CUP HOPES ALIVE.

Rotherham tore Wigan apart and really should have put the tie well out of reach as only a remarkable display from Simon Farnworth in the Wigan goal stood between the Millers and a bag full of goals.

The big striker Shaun Goater must have thought that he was in a living nightmare as time and again he was frustrated by the inspired keeping of the Wigan man.

Farnworth came to Wigan’s rescue as early as the third minute when he flung himself to his right to palm away a snap shot by Banks, then minutes later the keeper was quick to rush from his line and dive at the feet of Goater to smother a shooting chance.

The woodwork then came to Latics aid as the Bermudan star fired against the crossbar and then Hazel shot across the face of the goal only to see his fierce angled effort bounce clear after hitting the foot of the post.

Wigan did create some chances of their own and Langley hit the post from distance with a well struck drive, before Gavin somehow headed wide from six yards after being found by a deft Morton cross.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 0-0 Rotherham United.

Latics continued to be second best after the break and Farnworth continued to be busy as he saved from Halliwell, Banks and Goater, the save from the big striker was a stunning effort as he flung himself low to his right and clutched the ball to his chest after the Rotherham man had volleyed an effort goal-wards from barely six yards out.

Rotherham must have started to believe it was just not their night but on 81 minutes they finally got the goal that their dominance had deserved.

Sloppy work by McKearney gifted possession to the Yorkshire side deep in the Wigan half and a low shot by HAZEL from 18 yards beat the advancing keeper and nestled in the Wigan net.

Latics tried to respond and a speculative 20-yard volley by McKearney passed just over the bar.  A Duffy cross nearly found Morton but he miscued his attempted shot.

Then late in proceedings Rotherham nearly netted a second that would surely have secured the tie but Farnworth again was quick to dive at Goaters’ feet and deny any opportunity.

Rotherham are clear favourites to progress but with only a one-goal lead the tie is still not beyond Latics who surely must perform better in the second leg.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 0-1 Rotherham United.

Attendance; 1,531

Scorers; Hazel (81);

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

ROTHERHAM UNITED (4-4-2)---Mercer; Pickering, Jacobs, Richardson, Law; Banks, Hazel, Goodwin, Wilder; Goater, Helliwell; Subs not used; Page, Marginson, Clarke;

Referee; Mr K. A Cooper.