Report by SJG

CHESHIRE COUNTY LEAGUE

ALTRINCHAM vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

25^th February 1933

THE ROBINS HALT WIGANS CHAMPIONSHIP CHARGE.

The most important, and the most difficult thing in the game of football is often noted as being, ‘putting the ball in the net’.  Wigan failed in this one crucial aspect as they dominated for most, but crucially not all, of the ninety minutes. One goal on the 70^th minute mark fired home by ex-Manchester United player, Iddon, proved decisive and delivered a body blow to Wigans assault on the title.

The Friday before the game had seen heavy snow, and the pitch though deemed playable was somewhat treacherous and slippy as the snow was thawing rapidly. Wigan replaced the injured Jamieson with Jones but otherwise they were unchanged.

Altrincham who were playing into a biting wind were quickly forced onto the back foot. Wake found Hughes who passed inside to Murphy, but the winger failed to control the ball which slid out of play.  Hughes, who in general was well marked by Walsh, managed to swing in a good cross but Chambers fired wide from a good position. The pace of Clacher was always a threat but Spencer and his fellow defenders were keeping a close watch on the home attack. Chambers brought a good save from Whitehead with a snap shot following good build up play. Wigan were dominating possession but most of their efforts on goal were from distance and didn’t fully extend the keeper.

Spencer and Jones linked well to create space for Allon but the shot flew across the face of the Altrincham goal and no-one could add the vital touch. A free-kick awarded for use of an elbow by Spencer allowed Iddon to fire in a good shot but Abbott was equal to the effort and saved well. Another free-kick, this time taken by Chesters, saw Abbott fumbling the wet ball, but the keeper was able to recover and clear.

On the next attack Murphy was presented with a shooting chance, but he delayed taking the strike and was crowded out by the Robins defenders. The remainder of the first period was very evenly matched as both sides had half chances to grab the lead.

Half Time; Altrincham 0-0 Wigan Athletic.

The second half began with controversy when the Altrincham centre half, Hughes, appeared to handle the ball in the box, but the referee waved away all the penalty shouts. The next Wigan foray saw Harris misjudging a cross ball and this allowed Chambers time to get the ball under control, however, Harris recovered sufficiently to put the Wigan man under pressure and he shot wide of the goal. 

Wigan continued to press, but chances came and went, it always seemed that an Altrincham player would just be in the right place to clear before the Wigan forwards could force the ball home. Allon fired over after a neat pass from Murphy had created space, then on 70 minutes the deadlock was finally broken. A throw in on the right saw Clacher able to get forward and cross into the area and IDDON raced in to just beat Abbott to the ball and direct it into the goal. The goal was against the run of play and Wigan now threw everything into attack. McCabe unleashed a powerful shot that Whitehead did well to save as he dove full length to clear.

On the break Altrincham went close again, Iddon released Trotter, but the winger produced a weak shot that passed tamely wide. At the other end Hughes supplied a cross that Chambers headed just over, then McCabe fired in an effort that had the keeper scrambling. Both sides were totally committed to the cause and tempers flared as tackles became more and more desperate. Chambers and McCabe both had to receive treatment following particularly heavy challenges.

On 90 minutes Hughes broke through but his shot was wild, Then, deep in added time Spencer, who was up from the back, headed inches over from another Hughes cross.

Wigan played in white shirts as there was a clash of colours as both Altrincham and Athletic play in red and white, and then after the break they switched to Black and Gold, the old Wigan Borough colours.

All the other League games scheduled for this weekend were postponed following the snow on the Friday.

Full Time; Altrincham 1-0 Wigan Athletic.

Attendance; 2,000

Scorers; Iddon (70);

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

ALTRINCHAM—Whitehead; Heywood, Harris; Chesters, Hughes, Walsh; Clacher, Jones, Iddon, Jepson, Trotter;

Referee; Mr. J. Lord (Rochdale)