Report by SJG

LANCASHIRE COMBINATION

NELSON vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

25^th October 1952

CHAMPIONS FELLED IN TOUGH STRUGGLE.

A fleet of over 30 coaches made the trip to Nelson to witness a titanic struggle at the top of the Lancashire Combination league table. Nelson, who took the title last year, and Latics had pulled clear of most of the other teams and even at this early stage it looked like the game was a ‘four-pointer’ in the title race.

Nelson began well and Wigan were forced into urgent defence in the opening exchanges.

Latics gradually settled and they nearly grabbed an opener when Lyon struck a fierce drive from fully 25 yards that thudded against the upright. Atherton, in the home goal, was then forced to punch clear a dangerous cross.

Wigan continued to find pockets of space in the centre of the field and on 22 minutes Nelson were punished for their poor marking when JACKIE LYON slotted home.

Nelson responded well to the set back and Lomas and his defenders were required to work well to repel a wave of promising attacks.

On 36 minutes Wolstenholme and Webber linked well and WARD ghosted in to collect a neat pass and slide his shot home.

Chapman nearly added a second goal when his looping header struck the Latics crossbar. Then Lindsay had to be alert to clear another Nelson effort off the goal-line. Wigan were glad to get to the break with the game still all-square.

Half Time; Nelson 1-1 Wigan Athletic.

The second half saw some fine play from both sides but Wigan were handed a goal, quite literally, when Crowther handled the ball in the penalty area and LIVESEY made no mistake from the penalty spot.

Nelson thought that they had registered a second goal when Chapman produced a fine run and finish from a tight angle, but the linesman had raised his flag for offside during the build-up.

The home team threw men forward and Latics had to defend in depth as Ward, Cowell, Chapman and Webber all went close.

Wigans defences, superbly marshalled by Dave Mycock, held firm and when the final whistle blew the team and the substantial following could celebrate a fine win that takes Wigan five points clear at the top of the table.

Full Time; Nelson 1-2 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; Lyon (22) Livesey (70, pen); Ward (36);

Attendance; 7,200

Teams; WIGAN --- Lomas; Banks, Hindle, Mycock, Lindsay, McGeachie; Livesey, J. Lyon, Lomax, Williams, Corr;

NELSON --- Atherton; Wigglesworth, Buchanan, Wolstenholme, Fagan, Crowther; Simms, Ward, Webber, Cowell, Chapman;

Referee; Mr. J. A. Lotty (Morecambe).