Report by SJG

FRIENDLY

WIGAN ATHLETIC   vs   ST. JOHNSTONE (SCO)

5^TH August 1978

THE FINAL DRESS REHEARSAL.

A healthy crowd of 2,514 turned out to see Latics record a 1-0 win in their final friendly match before the big kick-off.  Tommy Gore was the scorer late in the game as the visitors from Scotland found the Wigan defence in uncompromising mood.

St Johnstone, of the Scottish first division, were well organised and provided a good work out for the Latics as the new season approached.

Latics began well and an eager Houghton forced the visiting keeper, Geoghegan, to make two smart stops.

Brown was also tested in the early stages as he tipped a cross by Mackay over the bar, before Gillibrand headed clear from the resulting corner.

The Wigan keeper then made a good save to thwart a strong header from O’Connor following a Lawson centre.

Wilkie went close with a neat header, and then

Corrigan forced a save with a well-directed free-kick. On 14 minutes a well struck cross by Purdie saw the visiting keeper punching clear when under pressure.

Hinnigan and Crompton both produced good work as a deep cross found Houghton but he was unable to capitalise on the opportunity.  Wigan had a close-call when O’Connor rounded Brown and fired towards goal but Hinnigan somehow got back to scramble the ball away from Salisbury who had looked a likely scorer. Hinnigan produced a last-ditch tackle to deny Gray and Brown saved well from O’Connor. Noel Ward headed a Purdie corner just wide of the target and at half-time the game was locked at nil-nil.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 0-0 St Johnstone.

Davids and Worswick were introduced at the break and the game seemed to run out of steam in the second half with neither side looking likely to break the deadlock. Gore had an effort from distance, Corrigan tried his luck from a free kick, and Purdie floated in an effort that the keeper stretched to claim. At the other end Brown collected at full stretch from a McNeill cross. Then with the game seemingly destined for a stalemate it was GORE, who was now pushing forward regularly to supplement the attack, who fired in a low effort that found its way into the visitor’s goal past a partially sighted keeper.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 1-0 St. Johnstone.

Attendance; 2,514

Scorers; Gore (85);

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

ST JOHNSTONE---Geoghegan; McKay, McNeill, Rutherford, McLellan; Houston, Salisbury, Gray, Muir; O’Connor, Lawson; SUBS; Fitzpatrick, Wright, Montgomery;

Referee; Mr R. Chadwick (Darwen).