Report by SJG

CHESHIRE COUNTY LEAGUE

BUXTON   vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

7^th January 1933

‘BUXTON WATER’ TOO CHOPPY FOR ATHLETIC.

Wigan named an unchanged starting XI with O’Dell still side-lined once again. In the early part of the season the defence had been one of the team’s best features, but recent reverses had seen them leaking goals at an alarming rate with seven being netted in the last two matches. The small contingent who braved the trip over the Cat and Fiddle pass to the football ground at Silverlands were hoping that the side could put recent issues behind them and push on to re-ignite their hopes of winning the League.

Wigan had first use of the slope, but it was the hosts who made the better start with Williams and Hambleton bringing Davies into early action. The momentum switched into Wigans favour when they broke down the left and McCabe hit a rasping shot that Royle saved at full stretch by fisting the ball around the post. Buxton grabbed the lead on the quarter of an hour mark. A long ball released ANDERSON, who looked to be stood several yards offside, and he took full advantage of the time and space available as he drew Davies from his goal before sliding home his shot. The Wigan defenders complained but it was to no avail and the goal stood. Wigan went onto the attack as they searched for a leveller, but the same failings that plagued them against Ashton struck again as chances were not converted. Royle saved from Hughes, then produced an even better save when Wigan worked a neat free kick to put McCabe into space, the Wigan man unleashed a fine low shot but Royle got down well to smother the effort. Murphy made a mess of a good chance when he shot over after the ball broke to him in the box. Chambers then fizzed a strong header just over and Royle saved again from McCabe. The wasted chances became all the more costly when on 25 minutes Davies fisted away a lobbed shot only for HAMBLETON to get to the clearance first and lob the keeper with a delicate finish.

Chambers was enduring a frustrating afternoon as he struggled to get the better of his marker and this may have been the main reason for the tactical switch that followed. Spencer moved into the centre forward role, with Chambers dropping into the half back line. The change nearly worked but Spencer was bumped off the ball in the act of shooting. Allon brought Royle into action again but again the keeper saved effectively. Chambers, who had now returned to his normal position, shot against a post and as the ball rebounded against Royle the keeper was helpless but the ball then bounced against the other post and was finally cleared. The frustration in the Latics ranks was visible and when Chambers scored, only for the offside flag to be raised, the tempers boiled over. Spencer argued long and hard with the referee as he insisted the goal was good, but the referee stood firm.

On 43 minutes a shot by MCCABE finally brought Wigan back into the game. There was still time for more first half drama. Royle was penalised for ‘carrying’ and Spencer fired the free kick into the net, only for it to be ruled out as the indirect free kick had not been touched by any other player.

Half Time; Buxton 2-1 Wigan Athletic.

The second half began with Buxton winger Williams being dispossessed by Allon who set Chambers free with a nicely timed pass but the only reward was an unproductive corner kick. Hughes had a snap shot collected by Royle, and then on 50 minutes Buxton finally won their first corner of the game, but it was easily cleared. Wigan then went onto the attack and forced several corners in quick succession. Machent, who was having an excellent game at the heart of the home defence suffered a bad knock to the head and had extensive on field treatment. Murphy had a shot that was charged down by Parker and then as the frustration grew Hughes was booked for throwing the ball away.

More strong defending by Machent saw Hughes forced into touch on two separate occasions and Spencer, who sensed that the wing man was becoming overly distraught made another switch in formation. Spencer moved to the flank and Hughes took over the more central role. The change did serve to produce a goal but it was for the hosts, a cross by Holmes was badly misjudged by Davies who came to clear but was unable to make contact with the ball and ANDERSON easily beat Hughes in the air and headed home.

Wigan continued to give 100% until the final whistle confirmed that Buxton would take all the points, and Wigan would drop three places in the table to seventh.

Full Time; Buxton 3-1 Wigan Athletic.

Attendance; 3,000

Scorers; Anderson (15), (70), Hambleton (25); McCabe (43);

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

BUXTON—Royle; Machent, Parker; Hayes, Walker, Woodhouse; Holmes, Hambleton, Anderson, Woods, Williams;

Referee; R. Stevens (Stockport).

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If concerns were growing on the field, then these were matched with concerns in the boardroom. The crowds had been strong but in a first season this was perhaps enhanced by the novelty factor. The crowds had dipped below 6,000 on a number of occasions which may be a portent of harder times if results suffer and as the early novelty factor diminishes. The main concern, however, was the rather disappointing number of applications for shares. If the number did not rise considerably then the club would need to revise the structures going forward. The support, to the tune of a subscription for 200 shares, of Tetley Walker breweries that had been announced in the week certainly was welcome. The aim is to gain 6,000 subscriptions as this would raise £3,000 and reduce any need to mortgage the Springfield Park ground.