Report by SJG

F. A. CUP

BURY vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

29^th November 1978

LATICS SLIP OUT OF CUP ON ICY BURY PITCH.

The replay was played on a rock-hard frozen pitch at Gigg Lane and Latics never really adapted to the conditions as Bury took full advantage and with Latics seemingly finding impossible to turn (a problem that was later blamed on the incorrect boots being worn) the Shakers raced into a 3-0 half time lead.

The first goal came on six minutes when GREGORY linked up neatly with Beamish before calmly firing the home side into the lead.

Wigan-born Danny Wilson then fired home an absolute beauty from fully 35 yards but the referee ruled it out for foul play in the build-up. Wilson was dictating play for the third division outfit and his range of passing was on full display. The inevitable second goal came after 34 minutes when WILSON slotted home from the penalty spot following a handling offence in the Wigan area. On the stroke of half-time full back Keith KENNEDY all but sealed the tie when he checked inside from the left flank before firing into the net.

Half Time; Bury 3-0 Wigan Athletic.

Things got no better for Latics at the start of the second half (despite a change in footwear) and seven minutes after the restart GREGORY picked up a loose Latics pass in midfield before sprinting past three defenders and striking a scorching drive that was past Brown before he could react.

To their credit Latics never let their heads drop and they fought back to grab a consolation on 66 minutes when MOORE (pictured below) collected a pass from Houghton and took full advantage of hesitancy from Kennedy as he pounced to shoot home.

More bad news for Wigan were injuries to Houghton (leg muscle strain) and Purdie (thigh strain) both face a few days on the physio bench as they try to achieve full fitness before the Torquay game on Saturday.

Full Time; Bury 4-1 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; Gregory (6), (52), Wilson (32, pen), K. Kennedy (43); Moore (66);

Attendance; 9,343

Team; WIGAN (4-4-2)—Brown; Smart, Fretwell, Ward, Hinnigan; Corrigan, Wright, Gore, Purdie; Houghton, Moore; Sub not used; Brownbill

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

Referee; Mr J. Hough (Macclesfield).

After the final whistle Bury shared the secret of their magic boots, they had flat ribbed soles rather than the rubber studs. McNeill immediately sent off to the local sportswear manufacturers to obtain a full set as he promised that the next time the pitch was frozen they would be ready.

Bury played Blackpool in the next round and progressed with a solid 3-1 win before they succumbed to Leyton Orient 3-2 at Brisbane Road.