Report by SJG

FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION FOUR

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs ROCHDALE

13^TH September 1978

LATICS ARE MADE OF THE WRIGHT STUFF.

A crucial game, the last Latics performance had seen a much better showing, but the failure to hold on for a win meant that only two sides now have not recorded a victory. Wigan and Rochdale.

The local press had built this game up as a ‘Pride Saver’, and there was lots of talk of hoodoos, so given this background the fourth minute strike from fully 25 yards by midfield maestro WRIGHT was an ideal start and it served to settle many of the nerves, both in the team, and among the 5,746 who came to cheer the side on.

The shot was well struck and dipped just in front of the Dale keeper Chris Shyne who could only parry the ball into his own net. Dale came back strongly and Brown saved well from Owen and Hilditch, the later was so convinced he had scored that he was turning to celebrate, only for Brown to claw the ball away. In the 41^st minute the game took a huge swing in Wigans favour as Bob Scott was booked for tripping Moore, and then in protesting the decision he was dismissed for dissent. As tempers flared Corrigan was perhaps lucky not to join Scott for an early bath as he was involved in a scuffle with two Dale players, but the referee was happy to just issue a stern lecture.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 1-0 Rochdale.

Wigan started the second period with more composure and this paid dividends when a shot by Gore was neatly re-directed by CORRIGAN to double the advantage. Then on 66 minutes a clearance by Hart fell to HINNIGAN on the edge of the area and he fired home a third. Latics saw out the game without any real alarms and the crowd was able to go home happy. A first League win had seen Latics jump up the table.

A major psychological barrier had been overcome, and Latics could now look forward to the season with more optimism. The only blemish on the night was an injury for young full back Kevin Smart, and he must be rated no better than 50-50 for the game on Saturday.  On the transfer front Latics had signed David Fretwell an experienced defender/midfielder who would certainly add to the squad depth.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 3-0 Rochdale.

Attendance; 5,746

Scorers; Wright (4), Corrigan (55); Hinnigan (66);

Team; WIGAN—Brown; Smart, Gillibrand, Ward, Hinnigan; Corrigan, Wright, Gore, Purdie; Crompton, Moore; Sub; Brownbill (for Moore);

ROCHDALE—Shyne; Hallows, O’Loughlin, Hart, Scott; Scaife, Owen, Hoy, Mullington; Hilditch, Price; Sub; Ashworth (for Hilditch);

Referee; Mr. M. Lowe (Sheffield).

With a victory under their belts an air of cautious optimism had returned to the press and the terraces. The three-goal win had lifted a big weight off the player’s shoulders, all the early discussion about the team performance was now rejected as being defeatist, and historical comparisons were recalled favourably as evidence that all new sides had their initial difficulties.

Crucially the manager Ian McNeill could for once wear a broad smile at the post-match news conference and the local hostelries were full of happy Latics fans.