Report by SJG

NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE

 WIGAN ATHLETIC vs GOOLE TOWN

22^nd August 1970

WIGAN GO NAP AS DAVIES MAKES IT SEVEN IN THREE GAMES.

If champions Macclesfield had made a statement with their trouncing of Fleetwood, then this was a very resounding reply by Gordon Milne’s Latics side.

Geoff Davies recorded his second hat-trick in as many games as Goole Town were simply blown away.

Wigan were quickly on the attack and full back Sutherland tested Drake with a well struck shot, then a cross by Breen nearly found Fleming in a good position and only a timely intervention, by the keeper, saved the day. An early corner kick for the visitors offered them a brief sight of the Wigan goal but Morris was on hand to clear the danger after Jackson had directed his effort goalwards from a Dunne delivery.

That brief glance at the home goal was rare indeed as Wigan set up siege to the Goole goal and a fine passing move set up Milne for a shot at goal but the Wigan player-manager spurned the opportunity.  Two goals in as many minutes saw Latics take control of the game.  First TODD and then DAVIES took advantage of poor defensive work to fire home past Drake. The Goole defence suddenly looked highly vulnerable but they managed to hold firm until the half hour mark when Coutts won a header from an in-swinging corner and his flick on landed at the feet of the in-rushing TEMPLE who fired home.

On 44 minutes FLEMING was on hand to add a fourth goal and effectively end the game as a contest.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 4-0 Goole Town.

Latics made it five in the 52^nd minute when Fleming broke down the left wing before crossing for DAVIES to power home a header. After wasting a couple of further goal-scoring opportunities Wigan finally netted their sixth goal on 70 minutes when TEMPLE broke forward, drew the keeper, then slipped a low shot into the net.

Goole were now thoroughly disconsolate and only poor finishing stopped Wigan adding any number of goals. In the end they had to settle for just one more and it arrived via the main marksman when DAVIES completed his second hat-trick in consecutive games.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 7-0 Goole Town.

Scorers; Davies (16), (52), (80), Temple (30), (70), Todd (15), Fleming (44);

Attendance; 4,255

Team; WIGAN---Reeves; Morris, Sutherland, Coutts, Milne; Gillibrand, Breen, Todd, Temple, Davies, Fleming; Sub; --- Koo;

GOOLE TOWN---Drake; Jackson, Hague, Riley, Milner; Platts, Dunn, Dyson, Lee; Wall, Fenoughty; Sub; --- Mealand;

Referee; Mr. N. E. Simpson (Huddersfield).

The resounding victory for the First team was nearly matched by the Reserves who romped to a 7-1 victory against local neighbours Wigan Rovers on their own ground in Poolstock.

The reserves also grabbed a 1-1 draw at Leyland Motors in the League Cup to force a replay at Springfield Park which is scheduled for August 31^st.

The goal scoring achievements of Wigan’s new number nine were attracting the attention of a number of higher-ranking clubs and it seemed that Wigan would do well to keep hold of their new asset