Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION THREE

GILLINGHAM vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

12th August 1995

WIGANS SPANISH ARMARDA RUNS AGROUND IN THE KENT SUNSHINE.

Graham Barrow named a starting XI that included two of his new Spanish stars, the third, Isidro Diaz made an appearance from the substitutes bench later in the game.

The proceedings all seemed to be going according to the script and on 22 minutes MARTINEZ combined well with his compatriot Jesus Seba to slot the ball home and give Latics an early advantage.

The warm weather probably ensured that the Spanish trio felt at home but Gillingham are no mugs and they fought hard to try and gain the upper hand in the midfield battle. However, Latics defended well and safely saw things through to the break.

Half Time; Gillingham 0-1 Wigan Athletic

Three minutes after the break and the tide began to turn. First Adrian FOSTER got the better of his marker and grabbed an equaliser and then on the hour mark a tangle of limbs between Mark Leonard and Mark Harris saw the referee, Paul Taylor from Hertfordshire, produced a red card for the slightly bewildered Wigan striker.

Gillingham now clearly had the upper hand and it was somewhat against the run of play when Andy Lyons broke forward with pace. His forward charge was ended abruptly by a wild defensive challenge and a penalty was awarded.

Lyons dusted himself off and took the responsibility for taking the kick, but his shot was wide of the post and within two minutes The Kent side had made Wigan pay the full price for their miss.

Lanky number nine Leo FORTUNE-WEST stole into the box at the far post and easily outjumped his marker to direct a deep cross by Simon Ratcliffe into the Latics goal.

Full Time; Gillingham 2-1 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; Foster (27), Fortune-West (73); Martinez (25);

Attendance; 4,099

Team; WIGAN---Felgate; Butler, Farrell, Robertson, Miller; Lightfoot, Martinez, Doolan; Seba, Leonard, Lyons; Subs; ---Carragher (for Lyons), Diaz (for Doolan);

GILLINGHAM---Stannard; Naylor, Dunne, Butler, Harris; Green, Martin, Ratcliffe, O’Connor; Fortune-West, Foster; Subs; ---Watson (for Naylor), Arnott (for Green), Brown (for Foster);

Referee; Mr. Paul Taylor (Hertfordshire).