Report by SJG

CHESHIRE COUNTY LEAGUE

ASHTON NATIONAL   v WIGAN ATHLETIC

11^th February 1933

A FINE WIN CONFIRMS WIGANS CHAMPIONSHIP CREDENTIALS.

Ashton had recorded a fine 4-2 win at Springfield Park and were keen to achieve a double over a Wigan side that had rediscovered their form with three straight victories.

Ashton, who slipped up on their travels when they lost at Congleton the previous week needed a win to re-ignite their chances of League success.

The facilities at Ashton national are first class and their covered shelters can house 11,000 spectators, so most of the 7,000 that were in attendance had fine vantage points from which they could observe proceedings.

Wigan made only one change to the side from the previous two games with Jamieson returning for the unlucky Jones, who had a pulled muscle. A special excursion train was arranged and a good following of over 500 Wiganers made the journey to cheer on the team. Ashton included one ex-Wigan Borough player, Cecil White, who would play at centre-half. The Ashton team also included Bennett who had signed in the week from Southend.

The game almost started with an early goal when Lindsay was played through the middle but with only the keeper to beat he tamely lobbed the ball into the grateful arms of Abbott. Drinkwater then initiated another attack that first Wake and then Callachan had to work hard to diffuse. When Wigan attacked Chambers who started a neat move should have finished it as well but his header from a Hughes cross was too high. Play moved swiftly from end to end as both sides looked to gain an advantage, Abbott saved well from Brown, then Jamieson failed to hit the target with a well struck shot from distance. On 15 minutes Wigan grabbed the lead, Wake side stepped Bennett and White before playing a lovely ball to CHAMBERS, who nipped between the two full backs before curling a shot beyond the keeper’s despairing dive. Chambers nearly doubled the lead two minutes later but his header from a Murphy cross was well held by Briggs. National came close to levelling when a ball in from the wing by Smith was misjudged by Abbott who fisted the ball against his own post before Allon hacked the ball behind for a corner.

The game was highly competitive and Spencer was superbly marshalling the Athletic defence to keep National at bay. Abbott collected a high lob from Smith, before releasing McCabe on a counter attack. Drinkwater and Lindsay both required attention from the trainer as the tackles flew in, and when the whistle blew for the break Latics held a slender lead.

Half Time; Ashton National 0-1 Wigan Athletic.

The second half began with Hughes showing his speed and he jinked past Slicer and Hayden, but his shot was fielded by Briggs. Drinkwater then had a shot but Spencer was able to put him under pressure and the effort passed over the bar. The pace of the game was unrelenting and the National seemed to be struggling and it appeared that Wigan’s superior fitness was beginning to tell.  Chambers headed over from another Hughes delivery, the McCabe appeared to be upended by a wild attempt at a clearance, but the referee did not grant the penalty that seemed due.

Lindsay, who had a successful game against Spencer at Springfield Park was being supremely well marshalled by the Wigan player-manager on this occasion.

Athletic were now dominating the play with Chambers, McCabe, Murphy and Jamieson all had sights of the home goal, but the shooting was well below par.

Full Time; Ashton National 0-1 Wigan Athletic.

Attendance; 7,000

Scorers; Chambers (15);

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

ASHTON NATIONAL—Briggs; Smith, Hayden; Suttie, White, Slicer; F. Smith, Bennett, Lindsay, Brown, Drinkwater;

Referee; Mr. F. Bottams. (Altrincham)

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With thirty-eight points to their credit, Wigan now sit only a point adrift of Port Vale and Manchester North End. Macclesfield are five points clear at the top but fell to a surprise 5-1 loss against Tranmere Rovers at Birkenhead, and this defeat has certainly served to reignite the determination of the chasing bunch. Latics are the form side, with a proud defensive record and with more home than away games to come before the season ends.

The midweek saw the Wigan directors and club manager Charlie Spencer accepting an invite from a local football club, Worsley Mesnes Wesleyan A.F.C. to attend an evening of thespian hi-jinks, and in so doing raise much needed funds for the local amateur side. Spencer was joined for the event by Messrs. Callachan, McCabe and Chambers.  The night was a howling success with plenty of laughs and frivolity………but then it was back to the serious stuff, a home match up against a Witton Albion side who were struggling in the League, but who did take a point off Latics on their own ground.