Report by SJG

FRIENDLY

WIGAN ATHLETIC   vs   ZAMBIA NATIONAL SIDE

11^TH October 1978

AN UNFRIENDLY FRIENDLY.

Brian Tiler, an ex-Wigan manager brought his Zambia national side to Springfield Park to gain experience of the more physical style of European soccer ahead of their qualification campaign for the World Cup.

On paper this promised to be a memorable occasion, and it seemed like a real coup for the Latics. In reality it ended up as being ill- conceived.

The Zambian side were rather too keen to embrace the physical side of the game and Wigan ended up substituting Brownbill after 25 minutes so that he could be spared serious injury.

The Zambian teams approach certainly unsettled Wigan and they had chances to score in the first period and it was only the excellence of Brown that kept the scoresheet blank. Kapita and Chitalu both had chances, and Brown saved well from midfield man Simutowe, and captain Simulambo. The Zambian side was made up of part-time players and most of the team were employed in offices or as members of the armed forces. Wigans best chances came from crosses with the keeper looking unsure on how best to cope with the ball when it was played across his area. His defenders, however, were less indecisive, and Brownbill and several other Wigan players had the bruises to confirm this.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 0-0 Zambia.

The second half saw Wigan stepping up their game, and on 65 minutes Crompton was upended in the area and PURDIE despatched the penalty past Chileshe, the keeper, who was rooted to the spot.

Four minutes later and a bad tackle on Moore saw a second penalty awarded but this time Chileshe was up to the challenge and saved well from Purdie to support claims that he was probably Africa’s premier shot-stopper.

In the 72^nd minute Wigan doubled their lead when Purdie crossed and MOORE fired in a first- time effort, the keeper did manage to parry the shot, but the ball rebounded back to the Wigan man who netted at the second time of asking.

Chileshe then produced another top-class save to palm away a well struck shot from Noel Ward following a set piece.

Zambia, who had already played Shrewsbury (who currently topped League division three) and lost 4-0, were anxious to get on the scoresheet and in all truth they had shown enough neat play to warrant some reward for their efforts and it was perhaps appropriate that they netted with only minutes to go. Chitalu broke free from half-way and fired in a good low shot that Brown could only parry and substitute Willie PHIRI bundled home from close-range.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 2-1 Zambia.

Attendance; 2,428

Scorers; Purdie (65, pen), Moore (72); Phiri (89);

Team; WIGAN—Brown; Smart, Fretwell, Ward, Hinnigan; Corrigan, Wright, Gore, Purdie; Brownbill, Moore; Subs; Crompton, Gillibrand, Wilkie

ZAMBIA— Chileshe; Kalambo, Simbule, Lutoba, Mwelwa; Simutowe, B. Phiri, Simulambo, Hangunyu; Chitalu, Kapita; Subs; Sailota, Mwape, Mutale, Musonda, W. Phiri;

Referee; Mr. D. Shaw (Sandbach)

A few players ended the game with bruises and the physio was busy trying to get everyone fully fit for the next League game, a home tie with Doncaster Rovers.