Report by SJG

FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION FOUR

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

7^TH OCTOBER 1978

WIGAN MAKE THEIR POINT AFTER FRETWELL DRAMA.

It was a busy week at the club with plenty activity in the secretary’s office and in the treatment room in preparation for the trip to Huddersfield. Neil Davids was the biggest worry having picked up a bad knock in the second half of the Scunthorpe game and he seemed unlikely to recover in time for the trip to Leeds Road. Corrigan had also picked up a knock but had a 50/50 chance of being fit. John Brown was in bed with flu and again he was a doubtful starter. On the transfer front Brownbill had extended his trial for a further month and speculation was rife that more activity would happen with Ian Seddon and Geoff Gay both being released to make squad places available.

Up until Friday it looked like Ian Gillibrand would be recalled to cover for the injuries, but on the Friday, David Fretwell’s papers arrived in the post and a mad dash was made to Football League headquarters in Preston to complete the player registration. Fretwell had been training with the Wigan team and thus it was logical that he would step straight into the side to replace Davids. Latics began well with Purdie volleying just over and then Corrigan made a mazy run that was only ended when he was upended by Holmes, who was rightly booked. On 12 minutes Moore was played through by Hinnigan and Starling had to produce a superb one-handed diving save to prevent the score, then on 16 minutes Latics benefitted from a big stroke of luck, Holmes picked out Campbell who directed his header well but Brown produced a fine low diving save. Corrigan was booked for a foul on Holmes, then Hinnigan mis-timed a challenge on the same player and the referee pointed to the spot. BIELBY placed the penalty past Brown to give the terriers the lead. Latics pushed for a quick leveller, but Gore fired into the side netting when well placed, and then Moore was denied by the agility of Starling.

Half Time; Huddersfield Town 1-0 Wigan Athletic.

After the break Wright went close but his shot passed just the wrong side of the post.

On 54 minutes Latics got the goal that their efforts deserved.  A corner was delivered into the area, and when the ball broke free BROWNBILL reacted the quickest and bundled the ball home. Starling protested that he had been fouled in the melee, and was booked for his protestations.

The game was now an end-to-end affair with both sides making and spurning opportunities.  Wigan had slightly the better of the exchanges but at the final whistle this particular ‘War of the Roses’ had ended with the spoils shared.

Full Time; Huddersfield Town 1-1 Wigan Athletic.

Attendance; 5,150

Scorers; Bielby (37, pen); Brownbill (54);

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

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN— Starling, Brown, Sandercock, Hanvey, Topping; Holmes, Gray, Hart, Bielby; Campbell, Robins; Unused Sub; Gartland;

Referee; Mr. G. Tyson (Sunderland).