Report by SJG

CHESHIRE COUNTY LEAGUE

MOSSLEY vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

29^th April 1933

A TAME DRAW IN A TYPICAL END OF SEASON AFFAIR.

After the high-octane semi-final on the previous evening this match was a tame, listless end of season affair. Wigan made two changes to the team that started on the previous day as both Callachan and Hughes had suffered knocks and were not available. In their place Swift was promoted from the reserves along with his fellow winger Williams.

The ex-Wigan Borough player Scullion was picked to play as centre-forward by the home side and had a rare tussle throughout the game with O’Dell.

Mossley missed a golden chance for a goal in the very first minute of the match, Scullion played in Fisher who, with the goal gaping, fired wide. Wigan’s play was slow and it was the home side that was dominating play. In one attack, Scullion charged Davies leaving the keeper floored, but the Wigan man managed to push the ball to safety.

Chambers had the best of the visitor’s chances after O’Dell had picked him out with a long pass but he shot too high.

Davies was called upon to make a number of saves as he blocked efforts by Kellard and Scullion. Wake was clearly carrying an injury and this further hindered the Wigan side.

Williams was not having the best of debuts and twice he failed to profit from an opening. Swift managed to strike a shot on target but Montieth saved with ease. Murphy had a great chance but fired his effort straight at the keeper.

Swift, after one particularly robust challenge, collided with the wooden railings that surround the pitch and he had to leave the field for ten minutes to receive extensive treatment. McCabe was also in the wars as he sustained a bad cut following a collision.

Just before the break Mossley should have scored, Kellard played a neat pass through to release Baynham and the winger let fly a thunderous shot that knocked Davies off his feet, but the ball ricocheted wide of the goal.

Half Time; Mossley 0-0 Wigan Athletic.

Wigan reorganised at the start of the half with the injured Wake moving to the wing, with Murphy dropping into the back line to fulfil a very unfamiliar role.

Athletic did look more of a threat in attack and Montieth saved well from a Chambers header, before Allon struck a fearsome shot just wide of the post. At the other end the defence, with O’Dell outstanding, coped admirably with any Mossley attacks and Davies showed good handling skills as he collected several crosses with style.

Wigan’s attacks frequently fell into the home sides well organised offside trap, and the inexperience of Swift and Williams was clearly a factor. Then on 67 minutes Latics earned themselves a penalty kick.

Chambers made a telling burst forward and fired in a shot that Montieth could only parry away. Unluckily for the homesters the ball bounced straight onto the hands of Boyle and the referee, deeming this to be deliberate, pointed to the penalty spot. McCabe took the resulting kick but for the second time in two days his shot missed the target.

Wigan continued to have the better of the game and McCabe fired wide again when well placed after a good run and pass by Murphy had opened up the home defence.

With two minutes to go on the clock Wake found himself in a shooting position but his shot was weak and Montieth was able to save.

Full Time; Mossley 0-0 Wigan Athletic.

Attendance; 2,000

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

MOSSLEY---Monteith; Boyle, O’Connor; Mayers, Pool, Kelland; Burgess, Fisher, Scullion, Monaghan, Baynham;

Referee; Not known.