Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION THREE

TORQUAY UNITED vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

21^ST August 1993

A HARD-EARNED POINT, AND A BIG STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

The prospect of a late August weekend on the Devon coast tempted a good number of Wiganers to make the long journey South to cheer on the team. The game probably left most of the supporters with mixed feelings, it was a good point against a Torquay side who had started the season well and were playing with confidence, the team had recorded their first goal and their first booking of the season.

For long periods Latics were second best to a Torquay team who worked hard to close down Wigans flair players and who looked confident and tidy in possession. Latics held their shape and defensive discipline well and frustrated their hosts as chances to score for both sides were few and far between. Trollope and Sale did have shots that Farnworth was required to save. Then a neat pass from Trollope gave Foster space and he crashed a shot against the Latics bar.

Wigan nearly took the lead just before the break when Strong collected the ball deep in the Wigan half and set off on a surging forward run. The blonde-haired defender let fly with a wicked shot from 20 yards that had Lowe at full stretch in the United goal and when the rebound fell to Morton it seemed a goal was the only outcome, unfortunately the angle proved too acute and Torquay were able to scramble the ball clear.

Half Time; Torquay United 0-0 Wigan Athletic.

Wigan began the second half on the front foot with McKearney firing in a low angled drive from 25 yards that Lowe got down well to save. Then Skipper threaded a neat through ball for MORTON who made up for his earlier miss with a well struck effort from 18 yards that found the Torquay net via an upright. Minutes later and Morton had the chance to double the lead when he was again played through but his attempt to lob the keeper lacked pace and the keeper managed to recover and palm the ball behind for a corner.

Torquay found an equaliser when a well worked corner kick routine allowed Kelly to send in a dangerous cross and Darren MOORE out-muscled Pat Gavin and he powered home a close-range header.

Torquay went searching for a late winner and the Wigan defence was at full-stretch to keep them at bay.  With minutes left Trollope found space in the box and his shot beat Farnworth but the woodwork came to Wigans rescue and Johnson was able to hack the ball clear.

Full Time; Torquay United 1-1 Wigan Athletic

Attendance; 3,465

Scorers; Moore (75); Morton (67);

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

TORQUAY UNITED (4-4-2)---Lowe; Barrow, Colcombe, O’ Riordan, Moore; Curran, Trollope, Kelly, Hathaway; Sale, Foster; Sub; Byng (for Sale);

Referee; Mr R. G. Groves. (Isle of Wight)