Report by SJG

F. A. CUP

NORTHWICH VICTORIA vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

24^th December 1979

FOG DESCENDS TO FRUSTRATE LATICS

At the third time of asking the F.A. Cup second round tie got underway at The Drill Field.

The tie had fallen foul of the British weather on each previous occasion with a waterlogged or a frozen pitch putting paid to the frantic attempts to get the game played.

On this occasion the game began in perfect overhead conditions and while the pitch was heavy it was certainly playable and for 45 minutes it looked as if we would finally get the tie completed.

Wigan grabbed the lead just before the half hour mark when QUINN fired home from close range.

Half Time; Northwich Victoria 0-1 Wigan Athletic.

During the interval the fog started to roll in along the estuary but this did not stop Latics taking total control of the game early in the second period.

First GORE unleashed a fierce drive that flew past Ryan in the home goal, the METHVEN prodded the ball home from close range following a corner kick.

Wigan looked to be coasting through to the next round but the Fog continued to descend and on 65 minutes the referee declared the conditions unfit and abandoned the game.

Latics may have been frustrated, but, in truth, it was hard to argue with the referee’s decision.