Report by SJG

CHESHIRE COUNTY LEAGUE

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs TRANMERE ROVERS RESERVES.

31^st AUGUST 1932

AN EXHILLARATING VICTORY

Wigan Athletic first team were again at home in a Cheshire League fixture on Wednesday evening when they had Tranmere Rovers Reserves as visitors to Springfield Park. After their pleasing display last Saturday there was again a large attendance and just over 6,200 paid for admission. Wigan fielded the same eleven that played last Saturday, and they produced another accomplished performance. On paper the opposition was not as strong as that provided by Port Vale. Outstanding from the home side was Murphy, the left winger, whose speed, ball control and power were marked features of the play throughout.  He took the eye of the crowd, and he had a large share in the ultimate success of the side.  Callachan, at left full back, performed with confidence and his accurate passing was a feature of the game. McCabe gave another exhibition of powerful leadership in the forward line, and his efforts were suitably rewarded with two goals.

It fell to Angus (Gus) Smith to score Wigans first goal of the season in the first half, whilst in the second half, in addition to the two successes registered by McCabe, two excellent goals were scored by Chambers, the outside right. The Wigan half back line once again demonstrated its effectiveness and provided a strong and valuable link between the defence and attack. 

The Rovers were thankful to Roper in goal, and he was frequently in action and only his good work prevented Latics from running up a much bigger win. It was the team work, combined with some delightfully accurate, first-time passing, which ensured that the points went to the home side. The Rovers solitary goal was scored by Jones and was little more than a late consolation.

Wigan lost the toss and had to face the brilliant sunshine, they quickly went to the attack and forced matters almost

continuously, Wake and Henderson were soon in action. Rovers responded and their attack ended in Abbott fisting clear from Adams. Murphy then centred the ball onto the Rovers’ crossbar. Twice more Murphy evaded the defence to centre well, but a defender blocked a shot by McCabe and then Smith headed across the face of the goal. Repeated Wigan attacks shook the opposing backs, and the first-time passing of Wigan gave the spectators joy. On one occasion Wake went clean through on his own to turn a Rovers’ attack into defence again, and later Smith and McCabe combined for the latter to force Roper to a good diving save. McCabe was keen to score, and his solo run ended in the striker being badly bumped when in the act of shooting, but McCabe tested Roper again with a strong drive.  Seven minutes from the interval SMITH gained the distinction of scoring Wigan Athletics’ first goal of the season when another good centre by Murphy produced a scuffle in the Rovers’ goalmouth, and the inside right swept the ball into the net. The cheering showed the great delight of the enthusiastic spectators, who were thoroughly enjoying the Wigan performance.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 1-0 Tranmere Rovers Reserves.

Only a few minutes after the resumption Latics scored again when following a right wing run MCCABE screwed the ball into the net from a sharp angle.  The visitors did net the ball in their first really combined advance when Chiverton, Tong and Adams linked well, the latter cut inside, met a left-wing centre, and beat Abbott, but the goal was disallowed for offside. McCabe just missed with a smart hook shot, Murphy came in at top speed and drove in a real pile driver which forced Roper to make a wonderful save for which he was deservedly applauded. A kick on the knee sent Murphy to the line for repairs, and Allon was also seen to be limping, but the Athletic continued to have the better of the argument and shots were rained in by McCabe and Smith. With the end still a quarter of an hour away McCabe beat Roper, but was adjudged offside. Immediately afterwards, however, Smith put a nice pass to the feet of CHAMBERS, who went ahead to beat Roper for a good goal. Another two minutes and Latics scored again, the movement developing via O’Dell, Allon and Smith to CHAMBERS who fired in a beauty which entered the net despite Roper managing to touch the ball in flight.    Seven minutes from time Wake, who had collected an injury, went to outside left, Murphy moving inside to allow Henderson to go to left half-back.   With three minutes to go JONES scored for the Rovers with a header from a left-wing centre, but before the end the Wigan completed their ‘nap hand’ when Chambers centred the ball and MCCABE drove it home.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic   5-1   Tranmere Rovers Reserves.

Attendance; 6,200

Scorers; Smith (38), McCabe (48), (90) Chambers (76), (78); Jones (87);

Team; WIGAN-- Abbott; O’Dell, Callachan; Wake, Spencer, Allon; Chambers, Smith, McCabe, Henderson, Murphy;

TRANMERE—Roper; Henshaw, Carvel; Rawsthorne, Chiverton, Roberts; Adams, McGee, Jones, Watson, Tong;

Referee; J Ware (Chester) 

Latics added to their small squad by signing George Benjamin Jones, a utility player who impressed during the practice games. Jones (25), 5ft 10in tall, 11st 2lbs, plays mainly at full back but can also perform well at inside left, or as a half-back.