Report by SJG

CHESHIRE LEAGUE

NORTHWICH VICTORIA vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

25^th August 1945

FOOTBALL RETURNS AS HOUGH BAGS A HAT-TRICK AND LATICS FALTER.

Competitive football returned after a long absence and a decent crowd made their way to the Drill Field in Northwich to see two hastily thrown together sides, disrupted by national service, war time demobilisation and a lack of any proper structures, lock horns in the opening game of the season.

Both sides fielded five professionals, with the remainder of both sides comprising local league talent.

Young Ronnie Barker (age 18) from the Garswood area, impressed in his centre forward role and in defence Napier stood tall and had a real tussle throughout the 90 minutes with Goulding on the Northwich side.

Wigan appointed William Rainford as captain and he looked to be developing a good understanding with his fellow defender Hooper that, given time, might prosper.

The long grass and bright sunshine certainly affected the speed of the game, but it was not long before Dale in the home goal had to be alert to collect a dipping shot by Waite. Littler who had returned to the Latics ranks was being kept busy and looked assured in handling a number of goal-bound efforts from Hough and his fellow forwards.

A good forward surge and a precise through ball by Rainford set up a good opportunity for Pierce, but the Wigan man failed to connect properly with his shot and his tame effort was easily saved.

The home side were getting joy down both wings and a steady stream of crosses spelled danger for the Wigan rearguard. One cross was nearly bundled home by Carey, and when Carey did eventually direct a header goalwards it thudded against the upright before HOUGH, who was quickest to react, headed into the unguarded net. Latics responded straight away and when Barker was fouled in the area it was NAPIER who calmly fired home the resulting penalty kick.

Both sides had chances to add to their goal tally before the break with Hough, W. Jones and Carey going close for the Victoria and Broadhurst and Barker going close for the Latics.

Half Time; Northwich Victoria 1-1 Wigan Athletic.

After the break the home side were quickly on the attack and when Littler failed to hold a spinning ball it was HOUGH who was again on hand to score from close-range. Latics tried to replicate their response to the first goal and searched for an instant reply with Barker clattering into the Northwich keeper as he attacked a dangerous cross in the Victoria area. Play was held up for a few minutes while the keeper received attention but almost immediately from the restart the home side netted again with HOUGH getting the crucial touch in a goalmouth melee to claim his hat-trick. Wigan bounced back and three minutes later Napier set off on a fine forward run that was ended only when he squared a pass to BARKER and the striker fired home.

The game was now an end -to-end affair with both teams having chances to add to the score, Dale saved well from Eccleston and then looked on in relief when the same player fired wildly over when he really should have scored. Barker had a snap shot that had the keeper scrambling, and Waite saw a more delicate effort drift just past the post.

Gleave was busy on the wings for the hosts and his constant stream of crosses from the left that kept the Wigan defence busy and in the closing minutes Murray did well to head clear under a heavy challenge from the home attack.

Full Time; Northwich Victoria 3-2 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; Napier (27, pen), Barker (73); Hough (25), (46), (70);

Attendance; 2,000 (est.)

Team; WIGAN---Littler; Allen, Napier, Rainford, Hooper; Murray, Waite, Pierce, Barker, Broadhurst, Eccleston;

NORTHWICH VICTORIA---Dale; Tagg, Barrow, Gleave, W. Jones, Bate, Howells, E. Jones, Hough, Carey, Goulding;

Referee; Not known;