Report by SJG

CHESHIRE COUNTY LEAGUE

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs MANCHESTER NORTH END

 26^th December 1933

BOXING DAY---AND LATICS GAIN SWEET REVENGE.

It might only have been 24 hours later, but a day is a long time in football as Manchester North End found out as Wigan dealt them a sound beating at Springfield Park.

A fine bank holiday crowd turned out to watch the rematch and the only change to the Wigan starting XI was the introduction of young Stan Bentham for his debut in place of Felton who was suffering from a knock. The visitors, for their part, named an unchanged side as they looked to record a second win in two days.

Wigan were quickly onto the attack and in the third minute they took the lead. SCOTT broke down the wing and then fired over a cross-come-shot that completely deceived Wood as it swirled into the net.  

North End tried to respond but Caunce was on top form as he showed good handling to repel their advances.

On ten minutes Wigan broke quickly out of defence and Scott raced past his marker before crossing low into the box. Brown was at full stretch as he tried to clear but when he failed to cut out the centre it fell to COWPER who swept the ball into the net.

North End attacked again with Hayworth crashing a fine rising shot against the crossbar, then Wigan again broke and Scott forced Wood into a diving save as the visitor’s keeper punched the ball clear.

The crowd were vociferous in their support as both sides produced some thrilling quick passing movements, Scott, in particular was on fine form and went close to lobbing in a third goal but Wood, who was chasing back, was relieved to see the ball bounce on the roof of the net. There was no such let off on the half hour mark when a Robinson long ball was superbly controlled on the chest of SCOTT before he lashed the ball home.

North End continued to press but on the stroke of half time another low cross evaded both Brown and Norton which allowed COWPER to run in and score.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 4-0 Manchester North End

The second period began with a scare in the Wigan defence as Talbot mistimed a clearance that looped back towards his own goal and it was only the alert back-pedalling Caunce who was able to push the ball to safety.

Bentham who, after a shaky start, was having an assured debut played a delightful through ball that allowed Jones and Scott to link up and when the ball came into the box it was COWPER who again ghosted in to net his hat-trick as he lifted his shot over the prostrate Wood.

North End finally recorded the goal that their efforts undoubtedly deserved on the hour mark. Robinson was adjudged to have tripped the lively Worsley and a free-kick was awarded on the edge of the penalty area. The initial free-kick was fisted clear but W. BROADHURST reacted quickly to loop a header back over the defenders and keeper and into the net.

The blanket of fog that had been threatening to spoil the spectacle was now thickening but the entertainment continued apace.

Morgan went close with a free-kick from distance for the visitors, but it was Wigan who looked the more likely to add to their tally with Cowper, Jones and Scott all going close.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 5-1 Manchester North End

Scorers; Scott (3), (30), Cowper (10), (45+1), (47); W. Broadhurst (60);

Attendance; 7,300

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

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

Referee; Mr. J. Lord (Altrincham).