Report by SJG

FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION FOUR

HEREFORD UNITED vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

19^TH August 1978

STALEMATE!

For ninety-one Football League clubs, Saturday, August 19^th 1978 was merely another seasons’ kick-off day. For one it was the beginning of an era. The town of Wigan on that Saturday morning buzzed with excitement. Outside the gas showrooms (the traditional coach departure point ) the supporters gathered, each one aware that history was being made.

Blue and white scarves were very much in evidence it was a carnival atmosphere. 

For weeks the talk in the town had been of Latics. After the stunning victory over Tranmere, it seemed that everyone was going to Edgar Street, by coach, car, train or transit. The air was heavy with expectation. Over 3,000 made the historic journey and the roar that met the team as Ian Gillibrand proudly led them out onto the pitch was a fabulous sound. As soon as the first whistle sounded Latics poured forward onto the attack.

Wigan were clearly determined to prove that their new League status was fully deserved. They lined up with a five-man defence, but it was the Latics that showed more attacking intent. Gore and Corrigan prompted in midfield, and Hinnigan was a threat with his attacking runs from his left back berth.

In the 18^th minute Houghton rose to head home a Hinnigan free-kick, but the home defence had pushed out quickly and the flag was raised for offside.

A second free-kick, this time taken by Gore, beat the defensive wall and Hughes was forced into a fine save.

Next, a through ball split the Hereford defence and the lively Corrigan raced through, only to be narrowly beaten to the ball by the alert Hughes in the home goal.

Half Time; Hereford United 0-0 Wigan Athletic.

Dave Jones, the Hereford number nine looked impressive and he featured in most of the home sides best moments. John Brown had to be alert and he saved well on a number of occasions, including one fingertip effort that saw him leaping to turn a well-directed header over the bar.

Jones and Spiring were linking well and on 86 minutes they nearly grabbed a goal. Spiring swung a free-kick into the Wigan area and picked out the unmarked Jones, but the striker failed to make a proper connection and the chance was gone.

In the final minutes it was Wigan who so nearly grabbed the goal that their general play just about deserved. Jeff Wright picked up the ball in midfield and unleashed a long-range effort that Hughes had to stretch to keep out.

Full Time; Hereford United 0-0 Wigan Athletic.

Attendance; 5,674

Team; WIGAN—Brown; Gore, Hinnigan, Davids, Gillibrand, Ward; Corrigan, Wright, Purdie; Wilkie, Houghton; Unused Sub; Crompton

HEREFORD UNITED—Hughes; Roberts, Price, Cornes, Marshall; Barton, W Holmes, K Holmes, Jones; Powell, Spiring; Unused Sub; Feeley

Referee; A.J. Hamil (Wolverhampton).

Arthur Horrocks, the Latics chairman was presented with a pottery replica of a Hereford bull to commemorate the occasion. This can still be viewed in the clubs’ trophy cabinet.

Next up for the Latics was a home match against a Grimsby Town (who ironically played their games in Cleethorpes) side that had been challenging for promotion to Division Three in the previous season.  They would clearly prove a stern test as they are a club geared for higher grade soccer.