Report by SJG

CHESHIRE COUNTY LEAGUE

NORTHWICH VICTORIA vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

4^th March 1933

WIGAN RALLY TO KEEP TITLE HOPES ALIVE.

Wigan’s next game was a trip to Drill Field, the home of Northwich Victoria. The Vic’s had been soundly beaten at Springfield Park and were out to extract a degree of revenge. Latics, on the other hand needed a positive result to try and re-energise their championship hopes. Harry Wake was unable to travel due to injury and his place was taken by Jones with Jamieson returning to the forward line.

From kick off Wigan pushed forward and Chambers shot narrowly wide, back came Northwich and Bingham forced a corner kick when O’Dell deflected a cross behind the goal. The cross caused panic in the Wigan box and Spencer was unlucky when the ball struck his arm. The referee, who was well placed to see the incident, had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot. Stubbs took the responsibility and fired his effort goalward but Abbott produced a fine save and fisted the ball away. The reprieve was only temporary as on seven minutes a cross from the right was collected by LOUGHLIN who outpaced a static defence before netting. The home side kept up the pressure and Abbott had to collect a difficult ball under pressure from the Victoria forwards, then minutes later he had to save low down from an Edwards shot. Stubbs and Ogden were both using the long ball to good effect and the pace of the forwards was unsettling the normally calm Wigan defence. On 19 minutes the second goal arrived, though it looked distinctly offside, both Edwards and Heywood both looked to have broken forward far too early but the flag stayed down and Abbott had little chance as they worked it well to allow HEYWOOD to double the lead.

Wigan recovered well from the two early body blows and gradually their passing game began to get them a degree of control in midfield. A neat move by Spencer and McCabe was able to set Hughes through, but the winger was crowded out by the Victoria defenders.  Hughes went close again with a snap shot but the effort was too high, then a foul by Bevan allowed Allon to fire a free kick into the home area but Tonge saved well. Chambers also worked the keeper when he directed a clever header at goal.

Victoria, for the second time, were able to beat the offside trap and it took a fine intervention by O’Dell to avoid another Northwich score. Murphy then broke free for Latics and pulled back an inviting cross but McCabe failed to connect properly with the shot. Chambers was then pulled up for offside after neat passing from McCabe, Jamieson and Jones had set him free on goal. On 32 minutes Wigan finally got a foothold in the game, Hughes broke free and supplied a fine cross that JONES headed firmly beyond the keeper. Two minutes later and Wigan almost replicated the move with Hughes finding Jones, but this time the header passed inches beyond the post. On the stroke of half-time Allon delivered a free kick onto the head of Chambers but Tonge made a smart save to foil the Wigan Athletic leading scorer and maintain the Northwich advantage.

Half Time; Northwich Victoria 2-1 Wigan Athletic.

Three minutes into the second period and Wigan were to be frustrated again, Allon made an incisive run as he ghosted past two players before picking out McCabe who fired home. The crowd and the players were unsure why the referee had awarded the home side a free kick, as it seemed inconceivable that either player was offside, but the goal was wiped from the records and Wigan had to master their frustrations and proceed.

McCabe had a pot shot that failed to trouble the keeper, then Jones struck an effort that Tonge could only parry, Chambers was quick to rush the keeper and try to charge him over the line. The referee awarded a foul, much to Wigans annoyance, and the mood was not helped a few minutes later when Spencer was penalised for a trip.

On 57 minutes Wigan finally levelled the game, and this time the goal stood. Chambers fed Murphy on the wing and he picked out HUGHES, who was racing into the penalty area at the back post, the header was well directed and Tonge despite a desperate dive could not avert the goal.

Wigan were now on top as the home side, visibly tiring after their early game exertions, started to sit deeper in defence. Murphy saw an effort deflect behind via Stubbs who managed to get himself between the wingman and the goal. Allon fired in a shot that grazed the Northwich bar, then in a goalmouth scramble Chambers, Jones and Murphy all saw shots repelled. Bingham had a shot turned away by Abbott, then Jones tried a lobbed shot that bounced on top of the home crossbar.

On 73 minutes the Wigan pressure finally produced its due reward when a good move between Murphy, Jones, Jamieson and Hughes released MCCABE who applied the finishing touch to send the Wigan fans into raptures.

The result was not really in doubt now as the home side looked thoroughly spent and the Latics were moving the ball around with the assurance of a team vying for the title. The closing stages saw Tonge saving from Hughes and Jones and McCabe going close with a snap- shots.

Full Time; Northwich Victoria 2-3 Wigan Athletic.

Attendance; 3,000

Scorers; Jones (32), Hughes (57), McCabe (73); Loughlin (7), Heywood (19);

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

NORTHWICH—Tonge; Stubbs, Ogden; Burgess, Jackson, Bevan; Heywood, Edwards, Loughlin, Gunn, Bingham;

Referee; Not known.