Report by SJG

FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION FOUR

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs SCUNTHORPE UNITED

30^TH SEPTEMBER 1978

A RAIN-SOAKED SPRINGFIELD AND A VITAL VICTORY.

Latics finally seem to be finding their feet in the Football League and they thoroughly deserved this victory against Scunthorpe United.

The disappointment was the attendance which dipped below 5,000 for the first time since they were elected to the League. The torrential rain that greeted both sides at kick-off certainly would not have helped the crowd figure and probably encouraged the less hardy supporters to stay dry in the local hostelries rather than make the pilgrimage up First Avenue to Springfield Park.

The new centre back pairing of Davids and Ward was retained and it was Davids who had the first chance of the evening with a deflected drive that tested Crawford in the United goal.

Scunthorpe replied with a flowing move of their own, Peacock crossed to Wigg who headed it down to Pilling, but the wingers well struck shot passed narrowly over the crossbar. Brown was called upon when a through ball appeared to have set Wigg clear, but the keeper raced out and dove bravely at the forwards feet to save.

Generally, it was Wigan who were dominating proceedings with Purdie and Corrigan both going close with good efforts.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 0-0 Scunthorpe United.

Derek Brownbill, whose trial period runs out this week took the opportunity to stake his claim for a permanent deal when he scrambled home a 54^th minute winner. 

Jeff Wright floated a cross into the area and BROWNBILL tried to control the ball on his chest, Crawford rushed from his goal to try and clear the danger, but he only succeeded in fumbling the ball and this allowed the striker to squeeze home a shot off the inside of the post.

Moore should have added a second shortly afterwards but Crawford produced an excellent point-blank save to deny the Wigan number ten.

Latics were controlling most of the play and Scunthorpe only had one real opportunity to find the leveller, that arose when Kavanagh fired a low drive through a crowded Latics penalty area, but Brown produced an excellent save to ensure that Wigan deservedly retained both points.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 1-0 Scunthorpe United.

Attendance; 4,459

Scorers; Brownbill (54);

Team; WIGAN—Brown; Smart, Davids, Ward, Hinnigan; Corrigan, Wright, Gore, Purdie; Brownbill, Moore; Unused Sub; Wilkie;

SCUNTHORPE— Crawford; O’Donnell, Peacock, Deere, Czuczman; Oates, Grimes, Kilmore, Pilling; Wigg, Kavanagh; Sub; Gibson (for Peacock);

Referee; Mr. A. Seville (Birmingham).