Report by SJG

CHESHIRE COUNTY LEAGUE

WIGAN ATHLETIC   vs RUNCORN

31^st December 1932

A GREAT YEAR FOR FOOTBALL IN THE TOWN ENDS WITH A CLASSIC.

1932 will be a year that will be forever remembered by the footballing fraternity in Wigan and it was fitting that the year should end with a rousing game that served up seven goals and a good deal of nail-biting excitement.

The rematch between these two sides, after the excellent game they served up on Christmas Eve, was eagerly awaited and 5,500 supporters braved the weather to cheer on their team. Athletic started with the same XI that performed so well against Hyde United.

Runcorn had the first half-chance of the afternoon when Houghton made a burst through the centre, but his shot lacked power and Davies collected with ease. After that early scare Wigan virtually camped in the Runcorn half and a succession of crosses from both flanks saw that Molyneux was fully employed. The Runcorn keeper was lucky not to be barged into the back of the net (yes, such things were allowed then!), when he collected one header from Chambers.  Runcorn then briefly threatened when Houghton dribbled forward, but in his attempt to round Davies his control faltered and the keeper was able to grab the ball off his toes. On 27 minutes HUGHES rounded Pearson, raced into the penalty area, before steadying himself and firing home past a helpless keeper. The second goal followed only three minutes later when CHAMBERS, who had missed several acceptable chances already, this time made no mistake and doubled the lead. With a two-goal cushion Latics seemed to lose concentration and this allowed Taylor to burst free from half way, he fired in a rising shot that Davies somehow turned onto the crossbar, but the rebound fell to RICHARDS who made no mistake. The Latics defence did not learn their lesson and TAYLOR was again able to use his pace to burst through and level the scores. The crowd and the Wigan team were stunned, but Hughes soon restored the advantage when he raced past Burgess before playing in CHAMBERS who restored the lead.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 3-2 Runcorn.

CHAMBERS had now rediscovered his scoring touch and it was not long after the resumption that he completed his hat-trick. After the excitement of six quick goals the game went into a bit of a lull with Wigan seemingly happy to control the play in the centre of the park. Runcorn were not really posing much of an attacking threat and their best moment was when Hooley managed to dribble into the box, however, Murphy and Jones were quick to close down the space and avoid any danger. McCabe had a shot well smothered by Molyneux, then Chambers headed weakly following a Murphy cross.

The game took another unexpected twist when Hooley again broke free of his marker and delivered a lovely centre that BARNARD forced into the goal.

The remaining minutes saw both sides competing well and McCabe forced Molyneux to his knees with a rocket shot, and with time against them Runcorn threw men into the attack but to no avail.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 4-3 Runcorn.

Attendance; 5,500

Scorers; Hughes (27), Chambers (30), (43), (47); Richards (32), Taylor (34), Barnard (82);

Team; WIGAN-- Davies; Jones, Callachan; Wake, Spencer, Allon; Hughes, Chambers, McCabe, Jamieson, Murphy;  

RUNCORN— Molyneux; Pearson, Burgess; Jones, Miller, Richards; Hooley, Ross, Houghton, Taylor, Barnard;

Referee; J. R. Stockbridge (Altrincham).

The next game for the Latics, who now sit in second place in the League table, is an interesting encounter against Ashton National, who currently sit in fifth spot, two points behind Latics with both sides having played 23 games.