Report by SJG

January 1979 and heavy snowfalls and freezing temperatures caused many postponements across the country. Wigan Athletic showed how it is done and players, fans and even the manager Ian McNeill all got busy clearing the snow off the pitch at Springfield Park, before covering the surface with straw to avoid it freezing.

The efforts proved successful and the crunch game against high-flying Portsmouth was given the green light to go ahead.

FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION FOUR

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs PORTSMOUTH

3^rd February 1979

LATICS BACK IN ACTION AS POMPEY PUT TO SWORD.

Portsmouth brought a good following and they helped to create a great atmosphere with a ticker tape welcome for their heroes. (picture below) The famous ‘Pompey chimes’ were ringing out on the terraces and it was clear that the promotion favourites were in town, not that the Latics fans were quiet and they soon were making the bigger noise as the team set about their task with gusto. Wigan chased and harried all over the park and in the eight minute a Purdie free-kick deflected into the path of Wright who forced a fine diving save from Mellor in the Pompey goal.

The resulting corner saw Hinnigan power a header goalwards and in an attempt to clear Steve Foster (who late in his career would play for England) nearly sliced the ball into his own net, only for McIlwraith to save his blushes.

The early pressure finally told in the 14^th minute when WRIGHT neatly controlled a Hinnigan free-kick before slotting the ball between the keepers’ legs and into the net.

Brown, who was back in the Wigan goal, was having a quiet day but he was called upon to save an effort from Pullar. Mellor on the other hand was being kept busy and he made a number of timely interventions to keep the result in the balance.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 1-0 Portsmouth.

The second goal came straight after the restart. Wright kicked off and found Moore who showed good skill to slip past two defenders before he centred to CORRIGAN and the midfielder struck his shot first time and gave Mellor no chance.

Brown was called upon to make one more save, but it was the visitors goal that was ‘under siege’ for most of the ninety minutes. Noel Ward did find the net with a well-placed header but his effort was ruled out for a foul.

At the final whistle the Wigan side received a standing ovation as they had thoroughly outplayed their illustrious visitors. Only the heroics of the ex-Burnley and Fulham keeper Peter Mellor had kept the score down.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 2-0 Portsmouth.

Scorers; Wright (14), Corrigan (46);

Attendance; 8,289

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

PORTSMOUTH (4-4-2) —Mellor; Ellis, Viney, Foster, Denyer; Hemmerman, Davey, Lathan, Pullar; Garwood, McIlwraith; Sub; Showers (for Hemmerman);

Referee; Mr M. G. Peck (Doncaster).