Report by SJG

CHESHIRE COUNTY LEAGUE

MANCHESTER NORTH END vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

 25^th December 1933

CHRISTMAS CRACKER SEES LATICS END POINTLESS AMID CONTROVERSY.

The supporters who had foregone an extended Christmas Lunch and made their way to Brackley for this game were treated to some fine fare as both sides went at the game with gusto right from the first whistle and they provided thrills spills and controversy for the 3,000 who were in attendance.

The home side began in lively style with winger Worsley providing a dangerous cross that Caunce had to leap to collect. It did not, however, take Latics long to settle with Talbot and Kavanagh linking well before feeding Jones who tried to exchange short passes with Cowper before the ball bobbled and the opportunity was lost.

Five minutes into the contest and Latics suffered a bitter blow to their chances when Jones went down with a bad injury, the player left the pitch and returned after treatment but he was little more than a passenger as he was hobbling badly.

Wigan were the dominant force and when O’Dell picked out Scott the wide man got beyond his marker and fired in a shot that flew across the face of the home goal. More pressure followed and following a scramble in the home goalmouth Latics were able to win a corner and Cowper’s delivery picked out Jones but he headed harmlessly wide.

With five minutes to the break Wigan finally made their pressure count when Robson played a pass to Felton who combined with Scott and when the ball was lobbed into the area it found the on-rushing COWPER who headed home.

Wigan were then caught napping as virtually straight from kick-off, Jackson played a long ball forward and C. BROADHURST out-paced the defence before firing home a first time shot from twelve yards that gave Caunce no chance. Worse was to follow as on the stroke of half-time Gregory broke down the flank and his cross was headed powerfully home by HOLLINGSWORTH. It could have been worse for the visitors as deep in injury time C. Broadhurst found space and lashed the ball past Caunce, but the linesman came to Wigans rescue.

Half Time; Manchester North End 2-1 Wigan Athletic.

Five minutes into the second half and North End doubled their lead when C. BROADHURST headed home a well-delivered corner from Gregory. In truth, Wigan might consider themselves somewhat unlucky as when the goal was scored Kavanagh was undergoing treatment after he had collided with the railings during a duel with the winger.

Wigan responded well and threw caution aside as they searched for a way back into the game and it only took four minutes for the pressure to tell. Kavanagh, now fully recovered, passed to O’Dell who picked out FELTON whose low crisp first time drive beat Wood in the home goal.

The game was now an end-to-end affair, Caunce saved well from a free-kick then Jones looked set to score but he was adjudged to have handled the ball as he attempted to gain full control. Felton had a good chance to level the game after Jones had headed a Scott cross neatly into his path, but the inside forward rushed his shot and the ball flew over the bar. Gregory then took advantage of uncharacteristic hesitancy on the part of Robinson and nipped in to obtain possession and shoot goalwards but his shot bounced clear off the crossbar.

With sixteen minutes to go Latics drew level as Scott forced a corner and the resulting kick was only cleared as far as KAVANAGH whose low shot through a ruck of players beat the unsighted Wood. Wigan nearly scored again as Jones out-manoeuvred Norton before shooting narrowly over.

With eleven minutes left on the clock a controversial penalty was awarded as W. Broadhurst was sandwiched between Robinson and Robson and the referee pointed to the spot. C. BROADHURST fired home the resulting kick.

Wigan pushed hard to find another goal but to no avail and North End claimed the win in a most entertaining contest.

Full Time; Manchester North End 4-3 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; Cowper (40), Felton (54), Kavanagh (74); C.Broadhurst (41), (50), (79, pen), Hollingsworth (45+1);

Attendance; 3,000

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

MANCHESTER NORTH END--- Wood; Norton, Brown; Hayworth, Jackson, Morgan; Worsley, Hollingsworth, C. Broadhurst, W. Broadhurst, Gregory;

Referee; Mr. F. Bottoms (Altrincham).