Report by SJG

CHESHIRE COUNTY LEAGUE

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs MOSSLEY

26^th April 1933

WIGAN OVERWHELM MOSSLEY.

The game began with Wigan pushing forward but good defensive work by Barnes and Boyle ensured that the forwards were held at bay. A header by Chambers from a Murphy cross went wide of the target and McCabe tried a typical bustling run but was outmuscled and he required attention after he took a heavy blow to the head.

On thirteen minutes it was ‘unlucky’ for Latics as the visitors grabbed an early lead. The goal looked suspiciously offside as three Mossley forwards broke forward and LIGGINS was left with the simple task of netting from close range. The lead did not last long and two minutes later a scintillating run by Murphy ended with a lovely cross that MCCABE fired home.

Murphy continued to torment his marker and twice his excellent crosses found the head of Chambers, but twice the Latics leading scorer directed his header against the woodwork.

On 22 minutes Wigan went ahead when JONES collected a short pass from Chambers before cleverly tricking Boyle with a deft feint and then firing home past a flat-footed Barnes in the Mossley goal. The Mossley goal had a lucky escape when Jones went on a rampaging run, and despite looking clearly offside he was allowed to proceed, he unleashed a shot but Barnes made a good low diving save and palmed the ball behind for a corner.

Scullion conceded a free kick after a heavy challenge on McCabe, the free kick came to nothing but the Wigan forward had to leave the field for extensive treatment.

On 44 minutes Wigan grabbed a third goal, O’Dell broke up a Mossley attack and his excellent pass to Murphy allowed Wigan to move quickly on the counter attack. Murphy produced a fine cross and MCCABE, who clearly had recovered from his earlier injuries, flung himself to head home a fine goal.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 3-1 Mossley.

After the interval it was Wigan who were controlling the exchanges. A number of corner kicks were forced as Mossley desperately tried to repel the constant thrusts by the Athletic forwards, but the goal, that had seemed inevitable since the start of the half, arrived after one hours play, Hughes produced a telling cross that CHAMBERS headed against a post, and when the ball rebounded to the Wigan man he bundled it over the line.

The visiting forward line, that had looked quite lively in the earlier exchanges, was now being well shackled and the main threat was from set plays and corners. One free kick that was conceded by Callachan saw Burgess firing just over the bar with Davies well beaten. Latics added a fifth goal on 77 minutes, Spencer played the ball forward and when Boyle missed his kick CHAMBERS quickly pounced, and as Barnes came out to close him down the striker fired low and hard into the net.

A minute later and Wigan scored again, McCabe went on a trademark run and beat several opponents before firing a low cross into the box where FISHER, in a desperate attempt to clear, miscued the ball into his own goal.

Two minutes later and it was Murphy again who was the creator, and following another run and cross it was CHAMBERS who added the final touch to complete his hat-trick.

Mossley grabbed a late consolation when LIGGINS fired home from distance past Davies who was somewhat out of position.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 7-2 Mossley.

Attendance; 2,100

Scorers; McCabe (13), (44), Jones (22), Chambers (60), (77), (81), Fisher (79 OG); Liggins (13), (83);

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

MOSSLEY---Barnes; Boyle, Connor; Fisher, Scullion, Kelland; Burgess, Hewitt, Liggins, Monaghan, Baynham;

Referee; E. C. Broome (Crewe)

The big disappointment for the Wigan directors was the low attendance. The game had little but pride resting on the outcome, with both sides well outside the final top places, but the lack of money through the gate must have been a reality check for the new club. It seems clear that the Wigan public are keen to watch winning sides, but should form dip the fickle nature of the fan base, beyond the hard-core enthusiasts, cannot be relied upon to keep the turnstiles busy.