Report by SJG

FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION FOUR

DARLINGTON vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

9^th December 1978

BROWN INJURY, BUT LATICS EARN BATTLING POINT.

Wigan must have suspected that they would be in for a tough encounter at Feethams, the home side may sit quite low in the league but their results in both the League Cup, where they lost narrowly to Everton, and the F. A. Cup, where they defeated Chesterfield, served warning of a difficult afternoon ahead.

After bad weather had caused a number of postponements both sides seemed happy to be back in action and the game began at a quick pace. Latics applied early pressure as they searched for the first goal, bit on 12 minutes a long ball from defence caught the Wigan defence off guard. Midfielder STONE took full advantage as he raced through and when the keeper advanced he slid the ball home.

One minute later and Wigans task suddenly looked a lot more difficult when Brown was stretchered from the field after being caught by Darlington striker Ron Ferguson as both players contested a loose ball.

Noel Ward took the gloves and substitute Derek Brownbill (who signed a full contract this week after a successful trial period) was introduced from the bench which necessitated a change in formation.  Darlington promptly applied the pressure as they looked to take full advantage and a series oh high crosses were played into the box as they tested the stand-in keeper.

Ward used his full six feet and two inches and quickly showed that he would be an able deputy and as the game settled and half time approached Latics got an unexpected route back into the game. The home keeper Burleigh misread a routine long ball and when it passed under his body MOORE was on hand to roll the ball into the net to record his first League goal in 28 games

Half Time; Darlington 1-1 Wigan Athletic.

The second half belonged to Wigan and with a little more luck and composure in front of goal then Latics could have achieved a win that would have moved them up to seventh position in the League.

Brownbill had two efforts ruled out by the linesman’s flag, Houghton missed a good chance and both Purdie and Moore had shots that went close.

Darlington huffed and puffed but without really threatening to scoop the points despite being somewhat physical with their approach.

Full Time; Darlington 1-1 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; Stone (12); Moore (42);

Attendance; 1,967

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

DARLINGTON (4-4-2) —Burleigh; Nattress, Cochrane, Hague, Craig; Stone, Walsh, Probert, Wann; Ferguson, Seal; Sub; Maitland (for Ferguson);

Referee; Mr A. F. Jenkins (Scunthorpe).

Earlier in the season Latics had been linked with signing the ex-Everton keeper David Lawson, but missed out to Stockport County, now with a clear and desperate need for a proven keeper they delved into the loan market to sign Mark Grew (pictured) from West Bromwich Albion.

With Brown injured the loanee would come straight into the starting line-up for the trip to the Shay to play Halifax Town. Latics would certainly be looking for both points against the bottom club but Halifax have been showing improved form of late and it will be no cake-walk for Ian McNeill’s men, not helped by the enforced absences of Houghton and Ward due to injury and illness respectively.