Report by SJG

FOOTBALL LEAGUE CUP

SECOND LEG

ROTHERHAM UNITED vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

24^th August 1993

LATICS SWEPT ASIDE AS MILLERS HIT FOUR.

Wigan had an early cup exit as they slumped to a 4-2 defeat on the night and a 5-2 defeat on aggregate against a strong Rotherham United side. In the first leg Latics had been completely outplayed by the Millers but the second leg was a much more even affair. The home side began well and Vaughan had to be alert to clear a powerful effort from Helliwell off the line, but the reprieve was only temporary and when no-one picked up BANKS in the box he was able to collect a Richardson through ball and fire a low shot past Farnworth in the Latics goal.

Latics quickly replied and a Langley cross was volleyed home by GAVIN who gave Mercer in the home goal absolutely no chance. 

Five minutes later and Latics nearly levelled the tie-on aggregate when Gavin chested a Morton cross into the path of Vaughan and the midfielder fired in a wicked shot that was tipped over the bar by Mercer.  Latics were well on top and were playing the ball around with increasing confidence, but all that evaporated with a disastrous own-goal. A floated corner seemed to be well covered until it flicked off the head of GAVIN and bulleted past a bewildered Farnworth.

Rotherham took heart from the unexpected goal and VARADI, who had missed the first leg with injury, began to find space in the Wigan defences. Twice the ex-Everton striker forced Farnworth into good saves, then with two minutes to the break he again eluded his markers and his low drive found the corner of the Latics goal.

Half Time; Rotherham United 3-1 Wigan Athletic.

After the break the tempo dropped as the home side sat back on their lead and Latics, despite some neat passing movements, found it difficult to create clear goal scoring opportunities. Wigans persistence did eventually gain some reward when Dave McKearney produced a neat chipped pass that picked out the tireless MORTON who slotted home the chance.

Vaughan flashed a shot just wide as, with time running out, Wigan pushed for another goal but the tie was tied up in the 89^th minute when LAW headed home from a Goodwin corner.

Manager Swain declared himself fairly pleased with the performance despite the result, he felt that his charges had shown fight and passion as well as playing some good passing football. Defensive frailties are clearly a concern as two goals came from corner kicks, as did the Torquay equaliser on the previous Saturday.

Full Time; Rotherham United 4-2 Wigan Athletic ( 5-2 on aggregate ).

Attendance; 2,009

Scorers; Banks (14), Gavin (28, og), Varadi (43), Law (89); Gavin (15), Morton (71);

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

ROTHERHAM UNITED (4-4-2)---Mercer; Pickering, Jacobs, Banks, Richardson; Law, Hazel, Goodwin, Helliwell, Varadi, Wilder; Sub; Goater (for Hazel);

Referee; Mr W. A. Flood (Manchester).