Report by SJG

LANCASHIRE JUNIOR CUP

SEMI-FINAL

MORECAMBE vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

9^th April 1966

LYON ROARS AS LATICS HEAD INTO THE FINAL.

With fixtures piling up Wigans trip to Morecambe was delayed by a week and on a blustery day on the coast it was Latics who deservedly progressed into the final.

A good crowd created a fine atmosphere and the game was in the balance for long periods with both sides gaining and squandering opportunities before two quick-fire goals decided the issue.

With the wind at their backs in the first half it was Morecambe who began the game on the offensive and Halsall was glad to see a swirling effort by Holding pass narrowly over his crossbar.

Latics relied mainly on quick counter attacks and in the eighth-minute Stanley broke the offside trap but his hastily struck shot failed to find the target. Wigan continued to look the more dangerous side despite the home sides possession and Morecambe were grateful to full back Cubbage as he cleared two goal bound efforts off the line in quick succession. First he blocked Stanley after he had been set into space by a neat flick from the wily Brown, then from the resulting corner he was on hand to head clear

Half Time; Morecambe 0-0 Wigan Athletic.

Wigan started the second period brightly as they looked to make good use of the conditions but it was Morecambe who spurned the next chance with Timmins stumbling in the box and unable to find the target with his scuffed effort after Dalton had created the space. In the 76^th minute Lyon set off on a surging 40 yard run evading three home defenders, he slipped the ball to Brown, who in turn found Stanley and when his whipped cross caused chaos in the Morecambe area it was RYAN who slotted home the chance. Three minutes later and LYON latched onto a knock down from Ryan and struck a trmendous drive from fully 35 yards that had Williams grasping at thin air as it flew into the top corner. Wigan nearly grabbed a third goal in the dying minutes when Stanley beat Williams with a solid shot that deflected off the chest of Llewellyn and then thudded against a post before being scrambled clear.

Full Time; Morecambe 0-2 Wigan Athletic;

Scorers; Lyon (76), (79);

Attendance; 3,355

WIGAN ATHLETIC; Halsall; Houghton, Wilkinson, Craig, Roberts, Crompton, Ryan, Llewellyn, Lyon, Brown, Stanley;

MORECAMBE; Williams; Cubbage, Varcoe, Irving, Scott, Waterhouse, Holding, Dalton, Borrowdale, Timmins, Fawcett;

Referee;  Not known;

Wigan now progress to the final, which will be held at Christie Park in Morecambe, were they will play Netherfield, who beat Chorley 2-1 in the other semi-final.