Report by SJG

FRIENDLY MATCH

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs RHYL ATHLETIC.

21^st JANUARY 1933

OLD RIVALRIES RESUMED.

The pitch at Springfield Park was rock hard after a spell of freezing weather, but the game was to go ahead and Rhyl included three former Wigan Borough players in their team, Barson, Fairhurst and Crewe. Wigan used the chance to give O’Dell a welcome return to first team action and also gave a debut to Dover, who had been performing well in the reserves, this allowed Spencer to adopt a watching brief from the stands.

The underfoot conditions were bound to play a large part in the afternoon’s entertainment and Murphy, in the first couple of minutes, found himself sitting on his backside after slipping when trying to turn on the ball. O’Dell was showing some lovely early touches and looked assured upon his return to the team. Rhyl had the first meaningful attack when after repelling a couple of early Latics corners Turnbull (ex-Bradford Park Avenue) slid a pass to Parden whose shot from close range was well blocked by Abbott. A neat four man passing move by Wigan resulted in Hughes firing at goal and Fairhurst, in the Rhyl goal, looked less than certain when making the save. Jones at left-back was having a good game and did well against the twin threats of Turnbull and Crewe.

After 25 minutes Rhyl went ahead, Turnbull played a low fast centre into the Wigan box and when the defenders failed to cut it out it was JONES the left winger who stole in at the far post to score with a lobbed shot. The game was very open with both sides having chances to add to the score. Abbott and Fairhurst were fully employed in trying to keep the ball out of their respective goals. Just before the interval Wigan grabbed a leveller when Fairhurst twice lost the ball under pressure from the Latics forwards and MCCABE took full toll by firing into the net.

Wake nearly added a second in injury time when he headed a corner just wide of the Rhyl goal.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 1-1 Rhyl Athletic.

The teams seemed to ease off a little after the break, which is probably not surprising given the conditions and the friendly nature of the tie. Both sides tried hard to play good football and a neat Rhyl build up saw them carve open a chance but O’Dell was quick to shut down the space and the danger was averted.  McCabe was still very busy and his hard work created a half chance for Murphy but the winger failed to control the ball on the bobbly surface and another chance was wasted then at the other end Crewe fired in a blistering shot for the visitors that thundered against the bar. Abbott was the busier keeper but neither side really deserved to win and a draw was a fair result as both teams had played remarkably well in tough conditions.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 1-1 Rhyl Athletic.

Attendance; 2,000

Scorers; Jones (25); McCabe (44);

Team; WIGAN-- Abbott; Jones, Callachan; Wake, Dover, O’Dell; Hughes, Henderson, McCabe, Jamieson, Murphy;  

RHYL—Fairhurst; Watson, Roberts; Jones, Berson, Evans; Turnbull, Crewe, Purdon, Swann, Jones;

Referee; L. Rudd (Wigan).