Report by SJG

CHESHIRE COUNTY LEAGUE

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs NANTWICH

30^th August 1933

ANOTHER VICTORY AND IMPROVED FORM

There was another big ‘gate’ at Springfield Park on Wednesday evening, when 6,355 spectators paid for admission, this figure being exclusive of season ticket holders, of whom there a quite a large body. The occasion was a visit of Nantwich, and as they found the Athletic in irresistible mood the Cheshire club retired beaten at the finish by four clear goals, a score which about indicates the stronger methods of the home side. The atmosphere conditions were better than those of Saturday, and possibly this was one reason why the Athletic played with more vim; they were quicker off the mark, and they also showed better team work, so that whilst there still remains room for polishing up in one or two directions, the clubs’ supporters are satisfied that the players will be a force again in the League again this season. It was decided to rest Snaith, in view of his injury sustained on Saturday, and Felton crossed over to allow O’Donnell, the ex- Blackpool full back, to make his debut at inside left. He was previously a forward, and he certainly infused life into the attack, whilst he scored a clever goal. Robinson maintained his form as a defender, and Harrison played a vastly improved game at centre half back, giving us an exhibition of his real capabilities with head and feet, Felton and Glidden were lively forwards who continually harassed the Nantwich rearguard. For the visitors, Stubbs and Drinkwater, in the forwards, Amos in the middle line, and Hollins in goal, were about the pick.

Harrison lost the toss and the Athletic had to face the awkward rays of the sun, but good clearances by Robinson and Harrison set the home forwards on the attack and Hollins did remarkedly did well to save a stinging cross shot by O’Donnell. Then Caunce had to exercise care with a similar shot from Salter and only watchfulness by the home defence frustrated the lively Drinkwater. Next Glidden snapped in a quick one but found Hollins on hand to save it. There was plenty of pace in the game, with the Athletic showing the better combination, some of the passes made by Harrison and Robson were well conceived and being largely responsible for the forwards getting a full share of the ball. The whole-hearted clearances by Robinson were other features of the earlier stages. There seemed to be grounds for Nantwich appeals for a penalty for hands against Harrison during a heavy attack on the home goal, but the referee apparently thought otherwise. Felton grazed the Nantwich crossbar with a rising shot, but despite the Athletics neater methods, Nantwich were full of fire and required careful watching. The first goal came after 26 minutes to end a movement started by Kavanagh and taken up by Cowper and Glidden before FELTON applied the finishing touches with the scoring shot. Glidden had been completely knocked out as the ball entered the net, and he had to receive attention on the line. Caunce was tested again by Drinkwater who essayed a low swerving shot, whilst Stubbs and Slight in turn shot just wide. Amos was shadowing Cowper effectively and for a time neither of the home wingmen could get an opportunity but when Cowper did get away and passed inside Felton plied Glidden, who with a golden chance put in a tame shot which Hollins easily saved. Cowper raised a stir with a pile-driver which passed inches too high at tremendous speed, whilst when Nantwich had a turn Caunce fisted out from Amos, saved at Brights feet after a cross by Stubbs, and also foiled Salter.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 1-0 Nantwich.    

With the sun behind them the Athletic went straight to the attack and shots by O’Donnell, Glidden and Felton just flashed outside. At the other hand Caunce collared a fast shot from Drinkwater and the O’Donnell got through only to drive the ball a yard wide. Weak finishing ruined two chances for the visitors and after 12 minutes in this half the Athletic scored again; it was a clever effort in which Harrison, Felton and Glidden had a share, and the goal fell to FELTON, who whipped in a quick left footer which was a winner all the way. There was nearly another when Felton sent Cowper away in full cry for the goal, but his cross drive, taken on the run, was a shade wide. By this time there were no sun rays to bother the players.

Kavanagh cleverly worked through to place the ball at Glidden’s toes but the centre forward’s powerful shot was cleverly stopped by Hollins, who repeated the performance two minutes later when Glidden tried a snap shot. With the end still a quarter of an hour away Nantwich fell still further into arrears as the result of some cool work on the Wigan right; Kavanagh put the ball out to Cowper, who beat Amos and slipped it to Felton; the latter sent a simple pass inside to O’DONNELL, who took steady aim and beat Hollins from twenty yards out.

Cowper was bustled off the ball by Fox in the act of shooting and a corner resulting. Glidden nearly caught Hollins napping with a header. Salter seemed offside when allowed to cut inside with the ball, but Caunce went out and beat him for possession, smothering the winger’s shot. The offside trap caught the home forwards several times during the closing minutes, but with about three minutes to go Scott slipped an inside pass to GLIDDEN who whipped the ball like-lightening into the net. Felton brought Hollins to a shaky save, and the Athletic remained in full control to the end.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 4-0 Nantwich.

Scorers; Felton (26), (57), O’Donnell (75), Glidden (87);

Attendance; 6,355

Team; WIGAN---Caunce; O’Dell, Robinson; Kavanagh, Harrison, Robson; Cowper, Felton, Glidden, O’Donnell, Scott;

NANTWICH; Hollins; Fox, Roberts; Platt, Dandy, Amos; Stubbs, Barnett, Drinkwater, Slight, Salter;

Referee; Mr. J. H. Bartley (Chester)