Report by SJG

CHESHIRE COUNTY LEAGUE

MACCLESFIELD vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

3rd May 1933

THE CHAMPIONS CLAIM THEIR CROWN.

With just the final round of fixtures to go the title race was already decided. The runners up spot would be between Port Vale reserves, Wigan Athletic and Manchester North End. The home side were in party mood and 4,000 fans turned up to see their heroes collect the League trophy.

The Wigan players and officials travelled to the game with their wives and stopped off in Holmes Chapel (a local beauty spot) for an afternoon tea, before proceeding to Moss Rose for a 6.45pm kick off.

Wigan were without the services of Callachan and Wake, who both travelled but were nursing injuries, and as a result the defensive unit that had been the bedrock of the Wigan title challenge was not fully in place.

The match started in lively fashion and the excellent playing surface, combined with the afternoon rain, made for a fine spectacle with some excellent passing.

O'Dell was prominent in both boxes, helping to break up a promising home attacks from Butt and Roscoe, and also setting up Wigan attacks with judicious passes that released both McCabe and Murphy into space. On 25 minutes the home side grabbed a lead that they barely deserved. Owen centred and Butt collected the cross before driving the ball back across goal where it struck the unfortunate O'DELL and flew past the stranded Davies.

As the half wore on Davies was called upon to save well from Butt, then McCabe sent a flashing shot narrowly wide of the home goal. Then on 41 minutes Chambers headed the ball out to Murphy who raced forward before delivering a fine cross that CHAMBERS headed home. Wigan were not level for long as from a corner kick Owen delivered a good cross that SWIFT hooked home from close-range with a clever finish.

Half Time; Macclesfield 2-1 Wigan Athletic.

The teams turned straight round and it was Owen who remained the chief threat for the homesters with his speedy forays keeping Jones and Callachan fully employed.

Murphy had a tame shot saved by Williams before HOPKINS extended the lead for the home team. The goal was a spectacular volley that gave Davies little chance with the midfielder meeting an Owen cross with a well-timed boot.

Wigan went close when Williams smothered the ball on the goal-line and the Wigan forwards tried to force the ball and keeper into the net, but without success.

Hughes, Swift and Chambers all had good efforts on the home goal, but the Champions elect defended well and on 82 minutes a breakaway saw Butt drive a shot against the Wigan crossbar and when the rebound fell into open space the speedy OWEN was the first to react and he fired home.

Hughes and McCabe both had late efforts well handled by Williams and when the final whistle sounded it was time for the home side to celebrate.

Full Time; Macclesfield 4-1 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; Chambers (41); O'Dell (25, OG), Swift (43), Hopkins (56), Owen (82);

Attendance; 4,000

Team; WIGAN---Davies; O'Dell, Jones; Allon, Spencer, Jamieson; Hughes, McCabe, Chambers, Swift, Murphy;

MACCLESFIELD---Williams; Scott, Stockton; Jones, Swift, Black; Hopkins, Butt, Roscoe, Shirley, Owen;

Referee; Not known.