Report by SJG

CHESHIRE COUNTY LEAGUE

CONGLETON TOWN vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

1^ST April 1933

THE TITLE CHALLENGE FALTERS.

Wigan had gone a fortnight without a game, and as a result a number of the first teamers had been given a run out for the reserves against Preston North End ‘A’ team in the West Lancashire League. (The result was a comfortable 8-0 success for the Latics Reserve side.) It had been hoped that a friendly with Charlie Spencer’s old club the Tunbridge Wells Rangers could be arranged, but the Kent club had to postpone the game because of their other cup commitments. The friendly game would now take place on the 3^rd April, and not the 29^th March as originally planned.

Wigan named the same XI as in the previous game, but they started the game on the back foot. Congleton, who played down the slope in the first period and who also had the sun at their backs, went straight onto the attack, and were clearly determined to take full advantage of the conditions and the visitors unfamiliarity with the ground. Abbott was soon called into action but he saved well from Watkin and Bailey. Latics tried to respond and Hughes gained a corner kick which caused problems for the home defenders as it fell to Murphy, but his shot was off target.

Carter produced a strong run down the Wigan wing but the defence was able to block his attempted cross and the ball was cleared. Town continued to press and following a goalmouth scramble the referee awarded the hosts a penalty for a push by Callachan on Watkin. The offence seemed minimal but WATKIN picked himself up, dusted himself off, and drove the spot kick past Abbott to give Congleton the early lead.

Wigan responded well and should have levelled when Allon and Hughes combined to free Chambers, who in turn fed in Jones, but the inside forward failed to control the ball on the hard uneven pitch and the chance was gone. Another precise pass from Allon set Chambers free again, but the forwards shot was too high and passed harmlessly over the goal. Colman then came to Town’s rescue when he produced a diving interception to stop a Murphy cross reaching McCabe who was well placed to score. Another raid caught Colman out of position but Moseley was quick to cover behind his keeper and cleared the ball off the line.

Chambers was coming in for some rough treatment from Briscoe and his fellow defenders but the referee seemed loathed to intervene.  Another sweeping move that started with Allon, saw McCabe, Chambers and Jones all linking but the final shot was just wide of the goal.

The game was not all Wigan and the Congleton forwards made sure that Abbott earned his match fee as he was required to save smartly from Watkin, Bailey, Connelly and O’Grady. Then just before half time Carter crossed into the area and Callachan was adjudged to have handled. Watkin again stepped up, but this time his shot was too high and struck the Latics crossbar before being cleared to safety.

Half Time; Congleton Town 1-0 Wigan Athletic.

The second half started with Wigan pushing forward, and with the advantage of playing down the slope it seemed likely that an equaliser would soon appear.  Wake played a long ball into the home goalmouth and McCabe rose to win a header that looked goal-bound until Jackson successfully cleared the ball off the line.

Hood, on the Congleton wing was causing problems for the Wigan back line and when he collected a pass from Connelly he swung over a dangerous cross that Bailey failed to direct onto the target. On the hour mark Carter broke down the right wing and his low cross was met by HOOD who fired home.

Wigan tried to respond and Allon produced a dipping shot that Colman did well to fist away. Chambers then tried to get on the end of a bouncing pass from Spencer, but he was barged heavily and left prone while play continued unabated.

On 75 minutes Carter again jinked away from his marker and his cross-field ball was collected by HOOD who finished in style.

Another heavy challenge sent Chambers tumbling and this time the referee awarded a free kick on the edge of the area (although the offence may well have been inside). Allon fired in the set piece and when the keeper failed to hold the shot it fell to MCCABE who rifled it into the roof of the net.

Wigan continued to attack for the remaining allotted time but it was not Wigans day and their title charge had seemingly gone off the rails.

Full Time; Congleton Town 3-1 Wigan Athletic.

Attendance; 2,000

Scorers; McCabe (82); Watkin (5, pen); Hood (60), (75);

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

CONGLETON TOWN—Colman; Moseley, Briscoe; Jackson, Connelly, Watkinson; Hood, Bailey, Watkin, O’Grady, Carter;

Referee; J. Porter (Stalybridge)

The Wigan public were obviously disappointed that their title challenge was petering out, but there was further bad news when the club indicated that it was not their intention to apply for membership of the Football League at the end of the season.

The directors felt that the impact on the finances would be too great and that a further season in The Cheshire League would be advisable at this stage in the club’s development.