Report by SJG

CHESHIRE COUNTY LEAGUE

MACCLESFIELD vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

23^rd September 1933

SIX-GOAL THRILLER AT MOSS ROSE.

Wigan, flushed with success after back-to-back cup wins headed to the reigning divisional champions with an unchanged side. The home side had a few new faces and one of those newcomers was well known in Wigan circles as Albert Valentine had been a popular member of the now defunct Wigan Borough outfit.

The game was a thrilling affair with plenty of cut and thrust to keep the crowd of 2,500 enthralled.

The champions scored first when after only six minutes when Butt fed a neat through ball for Bardsley and he whipped in a dangerous cross that was sweetly met by Valentine. The effort was blocked by desperate Latics defence but they failed to clear the loose ball and that allowed ROSCOE to fire home from close-range.

Latics went in search of an instant reply and Snaith played Cowper through on goal, only to be denied by a linesman flagging for what must have been a hairline offside decision. Wigan continued to press and they grabbed the equaliser when Cowper made an incisive break and was crudely hauled down by Harris before he could get in his shot. FELTON stepped up to take the resulting penalty and fired home with confidence.

Latics were not level for long as barely a minute later the hosts were awarded a penalty of their own when O’Donnell was adjudged to have handled after he was pushed to the floor following a robust challenge by Bardsley. STOCKTON claimed the ball and fired home from the resulting kick.

Wigan quickly shrugged off their disappointment and began to push forward. Felton went close but was adjudged to have fouled the home keeper Williams, then at the other end Owen whipped in a low cross that Valentine and Stockton just failed to divert into the Wigan net.

The Wigan equaliser arrived on the half hour when SCOTT swung in a corner kick that was misjudged by the home defence and the bounce beat Williams and found the net.

Half Time; Macclesfield 2-2 Wigan Athletic.

In the 48^th minute Latics got their noses in front for the first time, Glidden and Felton produced some neat inter-play before feeding Scott wide on the right. The winger whipped in a wicked cross that evaded Williams and COWPER arrived perfectly to lash a first time shot into the home net. The well worked goal would have been worthy of winning any game but Macclesfield are not champions by accident and they dug deep into their reserves of energy and forced Wigan onto the defence.

Butt unleashed a shot from 25 yards that had Caunce at full stretch as he palmed the ball to safety. Caunce was active and bravely punched clear a well delivered corner, then Williams in the Macclesfield goal produced a similar clearance to punch clear a Scott corner.

The home side levelled the scores on 55 minutes when VALENTINE fired in a 25-yard rising drive that beat the partially unsighted Caunce as it flew through a crowded goalmouth.

The game was now a frantic end to end affair with both sides looking for a winning goal. A rash challenge by O’Donnell saw the home side win a free kick in a dangerous position, but the well struck Atkinson shot was well handled by Caunce.  Owen looked dangerous on the wing but good defensive work from Robinson ensured that any danger was averted.

Good passing play by Glidden and Felton saw Scott bursting into the clear, but for the second time in the game the linesman raised his flag to award a tight decision in the home sides favour.

The game was held up for several minutes when O’ Dell fell victim to a hail of stones from the terraces. The referee held up play and remonstrated with the group of fans and in so doing he effectively defused a dangerous situation.

Scott made a tricky burst forward and appeared to be felled inside the area, but the referee deemed the challenge to be outside the box and the resulting free-kick was well defended.

As time ran out Valentine made a strong charge and his shot on the run was denied by a stunning diving stop by Caunce.

O’ Dell was booked as tempers flared, but both defences stood firm and a draw was probably a fair outcome.

Full Time; Macclesfield 3-3 Wigan Athletic. 

Scorers; Felton (14, pen), Scott (30), Cowper (48); Roscoe (6), Stockton (15, pen), Valentine (55);

Attendance; 2,500

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

MACCLESFIELD---Williams; Stockton, Harris; Jones, Atkinson, Black; Bardsley, Butt, Valentine, Roscoe, Owen;

Referee; Mr. T. W. Doig (Birkenhead)