Report by SJG

CHESHIRE COUNTY CUP

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs ASHTON NATIONAL

19^th April 1933

LATICS STEP INTO THE SEMI-FINALS.

A crowd of 5,482 generated gate receipts of £148 as Wigan fought their way into the semi-final of the Cup competition. The visitors had been busy in the week and had signed W.N. Atrill for the rest of the season, this was the player who netted for the Northern Nomads in the Easter Monday friendly against Latics and clearly they hoped that he would repeat the feat, and on this score at least, they were not disappointed.

Wigan went close in the opening minutes when a McCabe shot was palmed behind by Styles. Atrill showed some nice early touches and he tricked his way past O’Dell, only for Jones and Jamieson to avert any danger. Hughes whipped in a good cross but Chambers was just too high with his header. The game was very open with both sides looking fluid in attack, then on 16 minutes the opening goal arrived. A tussle in midfield for the ball ended when Wake passed out wide to Hughes, he in turn drove a low pass to the advancing MCCABE who fired powerfully at goal on the run. Six minutes later and ATRILL slipped away from the attentions of Callachan before firing a cross shot into the net. Murphy produced an exciting run down the wing and made good advances on the goal but Styles was quick off his line and was able to save at the winger’s feet.

On the half hour Wigan regained the lead, it was the pace of Hughes on the wing that started the move, and he slid the ball to Jones who placed an accurate cross into the box and CHAMBERS headed home with aplomb. National were straight back on the offensive and Davies did well to sprint from his line and save at the feet of Atrill. Drinkwater on the left wing, Suttie and Lindsay were linking well and the normally solid Latics back line was being stretched. Then with three minutes to the break Wigan grabbed another to give them some breathing space in the game. The goal was all down to the one man, MCCABE, he won possession on half way and set off on a solo run that saw him glide past three National defenders and then he finished with style by slamming the ball into the net despite the defenders who were trying to barge him off the ball. Wigan nearly grabbed a fourth before the break when Hughes got a glancing header onto a Murphy cross, but Styles saved well.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 3-1 Ashton National.

The second period continued in the same open, attacking, vein. Both defensive lines were working hard as the game moved quickly from one end to the other, then on 55 minutes the match took a decisive turn. The National right winger, Smith, was battling with Wake and Callachan and he won a corner kick, but before the kick could be taken he approached Wake and appeared to punch the Wigan man. The referee was left with no alternative and he sent the winger from the field of play.

The resulting corner was quickly taken and Wigan were caught napping when ATRILL made a clever near post run and turned the ball home.

With the score at 3-2 the game should have been set for an exciting conclusion, but the dismissal had weakened the visitors and Wigan were in no mood to hand over the initiative. The Latics passed the ball well and made good use of the extra man.

On 68 minutes Chambers controlled the ball and after taking a touch he played a cross into the area where HUGHES arrived and he fired home via a post. The referee, following the pleas of the National defence, consulted with both linesmen but it was agreed that the ball had crossed the line and the goal stood. Four minutes later and Wigan were out of sight, MURPHY broke at pace, and after out sprinting the defenders he finished well with a lofted shot over the advancing Styles.

Two minutes later and a Murphy cross was deftly dummied by Chambers and the ball ran on to Hughes who somehow contrived to miss the target with his shot from close-range. Jones did manage to find the back of the net but his effort was chalked off for offside.

The referee took centre stage again as the game entered its final stages, there was a clash with Jones and Styles colliding as they attempted to get the ball, the keeper sustained a gash to his knee and the referee proceeded to check the studs of each Wigan player in turn to ensure that their footwear was legal.

The action continued right until the final whistle but it was Latics who would progress to the semi-final and the cup draw on Wednesday would advise them of their next opponents.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 5-2 Ashton National.

Attendance; 5,482

Scorers; McCabe (16), (42), Chambers (30), Hughes (68), Murphy (71); Atrill (22), (56);

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

ASHTON NATIONAL---Styles; Gibson, Smith; Suttie, White, Slicer; Smith, Chadwick, Lindsay, Atrill, Drinkwater;

Referee; J. Poyser (Manchester)

The draw saw Wigan selected to play hosts to Manchester North End, both games between the pair this season have ended in draws, so a good match is expected.

The other semi-final would see Altrincham play hosts to Macclesfield.