Report by SJG

NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE

RUNCORN vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

23^rd October 1971

DAVIES DOUBLE MAKES LIGHT ON INJURY JINX.

Wigan made it four away wins in a row and in so doing they kept the pressure on the leading sides in the division.

The win was a hard-fought success and Latics had to come from behind to grab a late win courtesy of two fine goals from Geoff Davies.

The match also came at a cost with substitute Graham Oates and full back Kenny Morris picking up injuries.

There was little doubt that Latics deserved the victory but for much of the game it seemed that the goalkeeping heroics of youngster Alec Clarke in the Linnets goal would carry the day.

Despite Wigan dominating the possession it was McCulloch who had the first real shot in anger in the 18^th minute and Reeves had to produce a fine save.

Gordon Milne then played a precise forward pass that opened up the home defences and it needed a timely intervention by Jimmy Fleming, who was on debut for the home side, to snuff out the chance.

Wigan were applying constant pressure but in the 44^th minute Todd was booked following a heavy challenge on McCulloch and when the free kick was played into the Latics box it was only partially cleared which allowed BRINDLE to fire home from a tight angle.

Straight from the restart Latics went close with a header by Koo forcing a fine diving stop by Clarke.

Half Time; Runcorn 1-0 Wigan Athletic.

Clarke was called upon repeatedly throughout the second half as Wigan piled the pressure onto the home defence.

On 64 minutes Geoff Davies flashed a glancing header narrowly wide of the target and then on 74 minutes Clarke produced a world class reflex save to deny Jim Flemings bullet header.

The relentless pressure finally told in the 77^th minute, Todd outpaced Griffiths on the right and sent over an inviting cross that found Breen. His fierce shot was bravely blocked by Clarke but the rebound fell to DAVIES who slotted home the chance. Ten minutes later and the game had been turned on its head when Todd again found space and this time he picked out Lee Koo, the Latics midfielder’s effort was cleared off the line by Hughes but only as far as DAVIES who made no mistake.

Runcorn threw everyone forward to try and grab a point but Latics stood firm and when McCulloch collected the ball in the Latics box he was quickly closed down and his weak shot rolled harmlessly wide.

Full Time; Runcorn 1-2 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; Brindle (19); Davies (77), (87);

Attendance; 1,350

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

RUNCORN---Clarke; Hughes, Duff, Griffiths, Marsh; Brindle, Fleming, Mason, Emmerson, Fielding, McCulloch; Sub; --- Manning

Referee; Mr. R. D. Jameson (Liverpool)