Report by SJG

FOOTBALL LEAGUE CUP

TRANMERE ROVERS vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

FIRST LEG

 12^TH August 1978

  A NEW ERA DAWNS.

On the day when the Nottingham Forest (Champions) were recording a record victory over Ipswich Town (Cup Winners) in the traditional season curtain raiser at Wembley, the Charity Shield, at Prenton Park on the Wirral the Leagues newest club were earning a credit worthy draw against Third Division Tranmere Rovers.

Wigan performed well, but it was the home side that had the better of the chances. Latics suffered an early blow when Noel Ward had to leave the field following a clash that left him with a broken nose. Neil Davids stepped into the fray as a like for like replacement at centre-half, and on the half-hour he gained the dubious distinction of being the first Latics player to be booked for shirt pulling on Moore. The best chance fell to Flood but he fired wide after good work by Craven. Brown made good saves to deny first Evans and then later McAuley. Latics were not without their chances, Jeff Wright tested Johnson, and just before half-time Matthias blocked a Houghton header on the goal-line.

 Half Time; Tranmere Rovers 0-0 Wigan Athletic.

Early second half Tranmere pressure brought no reward and Wigan on the break went close when Houghton fired right across the face of the home goal. Latics forced two corners in quick succession, but on each occasion the head of Postlewhite cleared any danger. A Peplow free kick found the head of the unmarked Flood, but his header was straight at Brown who collected with ease. Corrigan and Houghton joined Davids in the referee’s notebook as the pressure mounted on the Latics defence.

The referee then came to Latics’ aid when Moore headed home a cross, the official ruling the effort out for a push on the defender. Tranmere then had a penalty appeal for hand-ball when the ball appeared to strike the hand of Gillibrand, but play was waved on. In the 85^th minute it looked like Tranmere had earned a precious lead to take into the second leg, Moore headed a pass into the path of MCAULEY, the new £20,000 signing from Charlton, and he drove the ball past Brown. Then deep in injury time ex-Tranmere player GORE let fly from 35 yards and found the top corner of the net, leaving Johnson grasping at thin air.

Full Time; Tranmere Rovers 1-1 Wigan Athletic.

Attendance; 4,402

Scorers; McAuley (85); Gore (90);

Team; WIGAN—Brown; Gore, Hinnigan, Ward, Gillibrand; Corrigan, Wright, Crompton, Purdie; Wilkie, Houghton; Subs; Davids (for Ward);

TRANMERE ROVERS—Johnson; Mathias, Flood, Postlethwaite, Palios; O’Neill, Peplow, Craven, Evans; Moore, McAuley; Subs; Kerr (for Peplow);

Referee; Mr. G.P. Owen (Anglesey)