Report by SJG

F. A. CUP

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs BURY

25^th November 1978

STIRRING COMEBACK EARNS LATICS A SECOND BITE AT CHERRY.

An impressive crowd of 10,142 turned out to watch Bury (who themselves had a good cup-fighting pedigree) take on the fast-improving Latics side for a place in the second round of the F. A. Cup.

Wigan began well and Gore brought the first save from the Bury keeper on two minutes with a stinging drive from a free kick that warmed Forrest’s hands.

Bury quickly countered and Stanton hooked a shot that went narrowly over. Wigan were having the better of the play and when Gore fed Corrigan the likeable scouse midfielder, who should probably have done better, fluffed his shot.

Further Wigan chances followed as firstly Purdie and then Wright took on shots that went close.

It was against the run of play on 27 minutes that the opening goal arrived, it was a scrappy affair. Following a corner by Taylor, the normally reliable Brown spilled what was a fairly routine cross and GREGORY poked the ball home amongst a crowd of defenders.

Wigan visibly lost confidence and composure and with Wigan born Danny Wilson now coming to the fore the lively Gregory was proving a handful for the Latics defence.

Just before the break Latics produced a lovely flowing five-man move that ended with Moore just pulling his shot wide of the target.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 0-1 Bury.

The second period began in disastrous fashion when BROWN recorded an own goal after his attempt to save a fierce shot by Stanton only saw him divert the effort into the net.

Wigan had to dig deep and they found a foothold in the tie when GORE latched onto a fine cross by Houghton before lashing an effort past the hapless Bury keeper.

Suddenly it was game-on, the crowd cheered on their team and chances came and went as Gore, Moore and Corrigan all wasted shooting opportunities.

Then on 88 minutes, Purdie lobbed a ball into the visitor’s penalty area and Brownbill (who had been introduced into the game five minutes earlier to replace Moore), headed the ball back into the danger zone where HOUGHTON was on hand and he fired home from close-range to grab a deserved equaliser and send both sides to Gigg lane for a replay.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 2-2 Bury.

Scorers; Gore (62), Houghton (88); Gregory (27), Brown (OG,47);

Attendance; 10,142

Team; WIGAN (4-4-2)—Brown; Smart, Fretwell, Ward, Hinnigan; Corrigan, Wright, Gore, Purdie; Houghton, Moore; Sub; Brownbill (for Moore);

BURY (4-4-2) —Forrest; Ritson, Kennedy, Tucker, Bailey; Lugg, Wilson, Stanton, Taylor; Beamish, Gregory; Sub not used; Hilton.

Referee; Mr J. Hough (Macclesfield).