Report by SJG

CHESHIRE COUNTY LEAGUE

HYDE UNITED vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

 4^th November 1933

HYDE UNITED DELIVER A GOOD HYDE-ING TO WOEFUL TICS.

The week leading into this League game was marred with off the field turmoil that began when captain O’Donnell failed to show for training. It soon became clear that the defender had no intention of returning and Latics had to move quickly to try and find a suitable replacement. Latics signed 23-year-old Robert Talbot, who had experience with Newport County and had been on the books of Burnley and West Ham United, to fill the void.

It would be unfair to place any blame for the heavy defeat that Wigan suffered at Hyde down to the new player, who had a perfectly respectable debut, or to lay any blame at the feet of the new captain George O’Dell who worked tirelessly throughout the ninety minutes. The key to the Hyde victory was their hat-trick hero Jack Liggins who proved elusive and clinical.

The game began in lively fashion with both sides searching for an early goal, Chapman brought an early save from Caunce when he unleashed a fast shot, then Felton brought the home keeper, Andrews into action with a stinging effort that needed to be well blocked.

On seven minutes the home side found the net, Chapman found space on the right and laid the ball into space for LIGGINS to run onto and strike a first-time effort that arrowed into the corner of the net.

Wigan nearly struck back straight away as Felton passed to Scott who sprinted past Manifold and crashed a shot against the bar that rebounded to Jones who prodded the ball towards the goal. Jones turned to celebrate but Andrews scrambled to grab the ball and despite Wigans protests the ball was deemed to have not crossed the line.

The Hurst forwards still looked lively and Caunce was called upon to punch an Izon free-kick to safety and then he made a good save to deny Leech. Wigan continued to press and when a deep free kick from Talbot picked out Scott the winger unleashed a goal-bound shot that took a deflection off Manifold and struck the Hyde upright.

Andrews was by far the busier keeper as Latics piled on the pressure but on 23 minutes, against the run of play, Kerrs skipped past Robinson and passed to LIGGINS who fired home giving Caunce no chance.

Latics, rather than fading away came forward with increasing intensity and can only wonder how they failed to score. Harrison crashed a shot against the underside of the crossbar following a corner kick and Scott, Harrison and Felton were all denied by the Hyde defence and O’Rourke saw his 30-yard pile driver well handled by Andrews.

Half Time; Hyde United 2-0 Wigan Athletic.

The Wigan fans in attendance were far from down-hearted at the break as it seemed that the tide could turn in Wigans favour at any stage as they created plenty of opportunities. Latics began the second period on the front foot as a Cowper cross found the head of Jones who flicked the ball to Felton but Andrews was again alert and proved himself equal to the twisting shot.

United produced a speedy counter thrust that saw Halliday and Liggins both strike the woodwork in quick succession with Caunce scrambling to recover. Then just before the hour mark disaster struck for Wigan as Liggins fed the ball to Kerrs who outpaced Robinson and when the winger fed the ball back inside it was that man, LIGGINS, who again arrowed his shot past Caunce to complete a fine hat-trick. Latics appealed in vain for an offside flag but there was to be no reprieve.

The confidence was now coursing through the home side and they applied pressure on the Wigan defence. Talbot, on debut, looked assured and his pace will no doubt be an asset to the side. Talbot produced one fine interception that he quickly transferred forward and In so doing he set O’Rourke into space, the ball was quickly moved to Felton and then on to Scott but the winger hesitated as he approached the goal and the United defence was able to recover before a shot could be fired.

On 75 minutes Wigan were reduced to ten men when Jones was assisted off the field after a sickening clash of heads with Izon as they contested a high ball. The Wigan man had clearly had the worse of the clash and it was discovered later that his nose had been broken in the collision.

On 80 minutes United added a fourth goal that gave the scoreline a rather flattering look for the home side. A corner kick was swung into the box and Liggins directed a headed towards goal, Harrison blocked the effort but his weak clearance fell kindly to CHAPMAN whose shot through a ruck of players beat the unsighted Caunce to find the corner of the net.

Leech nearly added a fifth goal in stoppage time, but his effort struck the post and was cleared.

Wigan had been well beaten by a lively Hyde United side but the final margin of defeat was harsh on Latics who did not benefit from their fair share of luck on the day. They competed well throughout the 90 minutes with their hosts but lacked that composure in the final third.

A bad day at the office.

Full Time; Hyde United 4-0 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; Liggins (7), (23), (59), Chapman (80);

Attendance; 5,000

Team; WIGAN---Caunce; Robinson, Talbot; Kavanagh, O’Dell, Harrison; Cowper, Felton, Jones, O’Rourke, Scott;

HYDE UNITED---Andrews; Manifold, Astley; Izon, Burridge, Leech; Jones, Chapman, Liggins, Halliday, Kerrs;

Referee; Not Known.