Report by SJG

FOOTBALL LEAGUE CUP

LUTON TOWN vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

29^TH August 1978

HONOUR IN DEFEAT FOR BRAVE WIGAN.

Before the crucial next League game, at home to bottom club, Newport County, the Latics had the welcome distraction of a trip to Luton in the second round of the Football League Cup. Luton would be a tough test as they had hit good early season form and recorded a 6-1 win at home against Oldham Athletic in the previous week as they sought to regain their top division status that they lost last season.

Latics set their stall out to frustrate their more illustrious opponents and for a long period it looked like being a successful tactic.

Luton were certainly dictating all the early play, with Wigan happy to sit deep and try and strike on the break by utilising the pace of Corrigan and Purdie on the flanks.

Brown was fairly untroubled as for all Luton’s possession they were finding it hard to find a killer pass and when they did get the ball into the Wigan area Brown was proving a capable barrier as he came and collected crosses.

Hatton did eventually head past the Wigan keeper but Smart was on the line to make a clearance.

Wigan managed to create two half-chances on the break but these were spurned by Houghton and Wilkie respectively.

Half Time; Luton Town 0-0 Wigan Athletic.

For the Hatters, the road to Wigan Pier and an unwanted replay was beginning to look distinctly uninviting and there was much relief around Kenilworth Road when just after the hour mark Luton finally broke the Latics resistance. The goal came following a long throw by Price, Turner challenged for it in the box and when the loose ball fell to STEIN he threaded a low shot past a ruck of defenders and into the corner of the net.  As Wigan started to chase the game there were more openings for the home side and Donaghy fired in two shots that tested Brown and then a third well struck effort crashed against the bar. West took the prize for the best struck shot of the evening when he let loose a screamer from 30 yards that passed inched over the bar.

Wigan, despite now throwing more men into attack, were kept in check by the hard working and well organised Luton defence and the match was settled on 86 minutes when STEIN met a Moss corner with a solid header that Brown was helpless to stop.

Unfortunately, Wigan’s centre forward Peter Houghton fell heavily against the advertising hoardings as he chased a through ball and he suffered a broken wrist that would see him missing the next nine League matches. This injury aside Ian McNeil was more than happy with his team’s efforts.

The Hatters, managed by David Pleat, went on to beat Crewe and Aston Villa, before being knocked out at the quarter-final stage by Leeds United. For Latics it was time to concentrate on the League. (that is what all sides beaten in the cup say !!).

After the game the famous comedian and keen Luton Town fan, Eric Morecambe, went onto the Latics coach to commiserate with the team and he soon had everyone laughing as his famed comedic genius served to raise everyone’s spirits.

Full Time; Luton Town 2-0 Wigan Athletic.

Attendance; 6,618

Scorers; Stein (63), (86);

Team; WIGAN—Brown; Gore, Smart, Gillibrand, Ward; Seddon, Corrigan, Wright, Purdie; Wilkie, Houghton; Sub; Davids 

                                    LUTON TOWN—Aleksic; Stephens, Aizlewood, Turner, Price; Donaghy, West, Fuccillo, Moss; Stein, Hatton; Unused Sub; Ingram;

                                    Referee; Mr. J. Hunting (Leicester).

Wigan got active in the transfer market in the build up to the Newport game and they signed a former favourite, Micky Moore, from Port Vale. Moore had netted 22 times in the 1977-78 season after joining Latics from Altrincham. This would provide instant cover for the injured Peter Houghton.