Report by SJG

FRIENDLY

AYR UNITED vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

28^th July 2001 

WIGAN SUFFER THE ‘SET PLAY BLUES’

Latics ended their pre-season tour of Scotland with a heavy defeat against an Ayr United side that took full advantage of their set pieces.

The Scottish First Division side grabbed thee headed goals following corner kicks and cruelly exposed the deficiencies in this area that plagued the make shift defence.

The first goal came in the 38^th minute when Eddie ANNAND outjumped his marker to get the vital touch.

Half Time; Ayr United 1-0 Wigan Athletic.

The pace and trickery of the Ayr winger Gary Teale caught the eye but it was his delivery from the corner kicks that was most telling and in the 49^th minute he picked out FALCONER who directed his header beyond Stillie to extend the lead.

Craig Nelson in the Ayr United goal produced a number pf good stops to frustrate the Latics forwards and in the 68^th minute ANNAND added a third goal to give the scoreline a rather flattering look for the home side.

Things got even worse for the Tics in the 85^th minute when second half substitute BRADFORD slotted home from close-range.

Full Time; Ayr United 4-0 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; Annand (38), (68), Falconer (49), Bradford (85);

Attendance; 1,300

WIGAN ATHLETIC; Stillie; Mitchell, Nolan, De Zeeuw, Tod; Brannan, Nicholls, McClaughlin, Kennedy; McCulloch, Liddell; SUBS— Roberts (for McCulloch), Traynor (for Nicholls), Sharp (for Nolan), Gallon (for Brannan);

AYR UNITED; Nelson; Robertson, Sharp, Duffy, Campbell; Craig, Teale, McKinley; Annand, Sheerin, Falconer; SUBS--- Lovering (for Sharp), McEwan (for Campbell), Chaplain (for McGinlay), Kean (for Annand), Wilson (for Sheerin), Bradford (for Falconer);

Referee; Mr. Eric Martindale.