Report by SJG

CHESHIRE COUNTY LEAGUE

WITTON ALBION vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

2^nd September 1933

LATICS SUFFER FROM TRAVEL SICKNESS AS WITTON TRIUMPH.

Wigan Athletic slipped up badly in their first away fixture of the season but bad finishing and wasted chances meant that they were largely the architects of their own downfall as Witton took full advantage to record a memorable win in front of around 3,000 spectators. One interested spectator was the newly elected ‘Salt Queen of Cheshire’ Miss Majorie Adams of Winsford. She attended in her royal regalia and was attended by her retinue of six young ladies. As part of her duties on the day she was introduced to both sides and kicked off the game.

Wigan lost the toss and were playing into the sun and wind in the first period.  They began well and Glidden nearly scored in the opening minutes when his first-time shot but he failed to beat the home defence. Witton seemed to gain confidence from the miss and put Wigan under some concerted pressure. A cross into the Latics goalmouth was only partially fisted clear by Caunce and in the ensuing scramble O’DELL contrived to head the ball into his own net as he attempted to clear. Albion continued to have the better of the early exchanges and Ramsden fired in a strong shot that Caunce did well to hold at the second attempt. Wigan continued to struggle and when a low shot struck ROBINSON he was helpless to stop the deflection beating Caunce and nestling in the goal. Wigan tried to respond and Cowper on the wing started to get the better of his marker and delivered some dangerous crosses but these were dealt with well by the Albion defence. Felton had a snap shot blocked by the impressive Banks and then Snaith fired over when well placed. Albion still looked lively and Caunce had to save well from Wood. On 28 minutes another Albion attack was successful. WOOD evaded O’Dell and checked inside before finishing with a neat shot. Felton and Scott both brought saves from Bryce in the home goal but Caunce was also busy as he made saves to deny Tew and his fellow forwards.

Half Time; Witton Albion 3-0 Wigan Athletic.  

Whatever Spencer said to his charges at the break it worked well and Wigan produced a much more fluent performance in the second half and were perhaps unlucky not to salvage a point.  Albion forced an early corner and when this was cleared Latics broke quickly with Scott on the left, he slid in Glidden who had Cowper in space but he chose to take an early shot and this flew narrowly wide. Scott took a pot shot at the home goal from the edge of the box, but it was too high and Bryce was able to watch it pass over the bar for a goal kick. The Wigan defence still looked shaky and a Robson miskick caused some panic until Caunce came to the rescue by kicking the ball to safety.

On 63 minutes the ball was passed out to Scott and he raced to the by-line before swinging in a tempting cross which GLIDDEN headed home past Bryce who had been tempted off his line and left his goal unattended. Wigan continued to press and a shot by Glidden was turned behind by Belcher. The resulting corner caused panic in the home rearguard and in trying to stop a further goal Taylor clearly handled the ball which resulted in a penalty kick being awarded. FELTON stepped up and fired home, giving Bryce no chance.

With 23 minutes left to play Wigan now sensed that they might be able to gain something from the match and when, two minutes later, Scott latched onto a nice pass from Kavanagh it was only a brilliant diving save by Bryce that denied the winger an equaliser. The best chance for another goal fell to Felton who found himself with time and space but his shot was rushed and was straight at the keeper who was able to parry it away, Scott followed in and hooked a cross back into the goal area but again the defence held firm until eventually the ball was cleared to safety.

Both sides had chances in the final ten minutes, firstly O’Dell denied a dangerous looking cross and then Eastwood fired wildly over after Taylor had created an opening. Kavanagh had an effort that was just too high, then Harrison headed narrowly wide from a well delivered Wigan corner.

Full Time; Witton Albion 3-2 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; O’Dell (2, OG), Robinson (8, OG), Wood (28); Glidden (63), Felton (67, pen);

Attendance; 3,000

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

WITTON ALBION; Bryce; Banks, Gregory; Bate, Taylor, Belcher; Ramsden, O’Rourke, Eastwood, Tew, Wood;

Referee; Mr. H. Hartles. (Runcorn)