FRIENDLY

HORWICH RMI   vs   WIGAN ATHLETIC

26^th July 1978 

A BIT RING RUSTY.

Wigan began their preparations for the step up to the Football League with a defeat against old local rivals Horwich.

Latics fell behind on 39 minutes when centre forward Frogart, got his head to a bouncing ball just before the boot of Ward and the loose ball fell to winger BURROWS who slotted home past the diving Brown. Up to that point Latics had played some neat football and created several half chances, but they never looked entirely comfortable against the home side. (Horwich would go on to have an excellent season.)

Half Time; Horwich RMI 1-0 Wigan Athletic.

Latics equalised on 47 minutes when CORRIGAN fired home from 20 yards, and Foster in the home goal had to be alert to make a number of other saves. However, Brown in the Wigan goal also had to make two fine stops as the game became an end-to-end affair.  Latics manager, Ian McNeil took the chance to give all his squad a run out, and experimented later on in the game with a five-man defence as Gillibrand was deployed as a sweeper behind Ward and Davids. On 80 minutes Foster was beaten by an effort by Houghton but the goal was ruled out by the officials. Kevin Smart and Ian Seddon both impressed for Wigan, but on 86 minutes BURROWS produced a surprise shot across the face of the goal to restore the Horwich lead.

Full Time; Horwich RMI 2-1 Wigan Athletic.

Attendance; 500

Scorers; Burrows (39), (86); Corrigan (47);

Team; WIGAN—Brown; Smart, Hinnigan, Ward, Gillibrand; Corrigan, Wright, Gore, Purdie; Wilkie, Houghton; SUBS; Gay, Davids, Seddon, Crompton

Referee; Unknown.