Report by SJG

 CHESHIRE COUNTY LEAGUE

WIGAN ATHLETIC   vs   HURST A.F.C

17^TH SEPTEMBER 1932

BEATEN BY A PENALTY.

Latics named a starting line-up that showed only one change from the team that played out a goalless draw against a strong Crewe side. Spencer, who deemed himself fit after recent ankle ligament issues, returned to the side and the man to make way was Gus Smith. The one change necessitated a few positional changes, Jones was pushed forward into the front line, but while he worked hard in this new role his finishing was below par and a couple of good chances were squandered by poor finishing.

The weather was ideal for football and the crowd turned up again in record numbers with gate receipts of £219 and a recorded attendance of 8,300. One additional attraction for the Wigan public was the return to Springfield Park of an ex-Wigan Borough captain, Billy Dennis. Dennis now played and captained the Hurst A.F.C side and he showed that he had not lost any of his tenacity and he certainly remains a ‘force to be reckoned ‘with in the visitor’s defence.

Wigan, throughout the ninety minutes, always looked the more progressive and skilful side, but as appears to be the way of things at the moment they again came up against a goalkeeper who was at the peak of his form and who also benefitted from more than his fair share of good fortune.

Hurst lost the toss and they played into the sun in the first period. However, they created the first half-chance of the encounter when Heap and Milner linked well on the left flank before Heap directed his header just wide of the Latics goal. After this early scare Wigan settled to their work and played some neat constructive football that created a couple of shooting opportunities that both fell to Hughes but the efforts were well wide of the target.  Hughes did much better on the next attacking foray when he sent over a nicely judged cross that fell to Jones, but the Wigan man could only hook a tame shot into the keeper’s hands when he really should have scored. Shortly after Latics appeared to have a good shout for a penalty when the ball clearly struck the hand of Dennis, but the referee waved play on to the disgust and consternation of the home crowd. Wigan continued to dominate, and McCabe brought two good saves from Marsden in quick succession. Latics also forced a number of corners, but the crosses into the danger area were in general well handled by the Hurst defence. One weaker clearance did fall to Hughes who lashed a shot goalwards but this deflected off the slightly fortunate keeper and looped just over the crossbar. The left winger Hughes was still tormenting the defenders and he slipped past both Headon and Dennis before crossing but jones was unable to apply the vital finish as again his shot flew narrowly wide. The Hurst defence was working overtime and another good cross was met by the head of McCabe but the effort from a tight angle passed just over. The nearly constant pressure that was being applied saw Hurst resort to a number of less savoury tactics, they conceded a number of free-kicks, one which ended with Murphy extending Marsden with a glancing header. Wigan were very unlucky not to break the deadlock when McCabe fired against a post, the rebound then fell to Murphy but Marsden produced a clever save to deny the chance. Wigan created and squandered a number of half-chances, but Dennis was proving a formidable obstacle in defence, and his use of the offside rule, and his time wasting were proving effective in blunting the attacks and frustrating the crowd.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 0-0 Hurst AFC.

The second half began with Wake picking a good pass through to Murphy, he crossed deep to find Jones, who laid the ball back to Henderson and his well struck shot beat Marsden only for it to bounce clear off the crossbar. Jones latched onto the rebound but Blake quickly closed him down and was able to clear the danger. On 47 minutes Slater got away on the Wigan right and played a low ball into the penalty area. The ball struck Spencer amidships and the centre half doubled up clearly winded but the referee pointed to the penalty spot, as he clearly believed the ball to have struck the defender’s hand. MILNER stepped up and drove the penalty home.

Latics still had plenty of time on the clock, and the crowd urged them to re-establish the dominance that they showed in the opening period as surely a goal would result. Hurst, buoyed by their break-away goal defended deep and took every opportunity to increase the frustration of the afternoon with time wasting tactics to the fore. Hughes produced a break down the wing and after cutting inside he fired in a shot that was parried onto the roof of the net by Marsden. Hughes then had another effort go narrowly wide when he unleashed a first time shot on the run. Frustration was growing and it boiled over when Murphy shoulder charged the keeper Marsden. McCabe fed a ball through for Murphy but the wingers shot was blocked by a defender and the second effort was blazed just wide. Hurst had a rare breakaway and Morris looked to have a clear run at goal, however O’Dell recovered well and was able to diffuse the situation.

Latics kept pressing for the elusive equaliser until the final whistle, but the goal which was surely the least they deserved against the League’s top side, simply would not materialise.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 0-1 Hurst AFC.

Attendance; 8,300

Scorers; Milner (47, pen)

Team; WIGAN-- Abbott; O’Dell, Callachan; Wake, Allon, Spencer; Hughes, Henderson, McCabe, Jones, Murphy;  

HURST—Marsden; Dennis, Blake; Headon, Foulkes, Finney; Slater, Morris, Dagnall, Heap, Milner;

Referee; R. Owen (Bolton)