Report by SJG

FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION FOUR

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs TORQUAY UNITED.

14^th March 1979

‘DALGLISH LIKE’ MOORE SETS UP VICTORY.

Torquay started the game well and Davies forced Brown into early action when he got in a close-range header that the Wigan keeper had to turn behind for a corner. The resulting set piece saw Torquay bundle the ball home, courtesy of Les Lawrence, but the referee ruled out the effort for pushing.

Latics made the most of their good fortune and on 19 minutes an in-swinging corner by Gore was flicked on at the near post by Hinnigan and MOORE was on hand to nod the ball home.

One minute later and the lead was doubled as Gore made a surging run from deep in his own half before drawing the full back Ritchie and sliding a perfectly weighted pass for MOORE who, without breaking stride, lashed the ball past the stranded Turner.

On 27 minutes United pulled one back when Murphy whipped in a dangerous cross and LAWRENCE flashed a bullet-like header into the Wigan net. 

Just before the break Torquay went close again when a Wilson cross was headed just over the crossbar by Murphy.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 2-1 Torquay United.

The second half began with Latics on the attack and another set play saw a rushed clearance by Dark fall for Gore who struck a low shot that Turner did well to turn behind for a corner. Both sides were creating chances and Torquay looked very likely to get a leveller when they managed to place the Wigan defence under some concerted pressure, Payne had a header that Brown saved at the second attempt and Lawrence managed to slip the attentions of Fretwell but his shot was wild and missed the target. Latics struck back with Moore being denied a hat-trick by a good save by Turner, then a Gore free-kick found the head of Ward and he saw his effort thud against the post.

Latics finally put the game to bed in the 84^th minute when HINNIGAN powered a header at goal from an Ian Purdie free-kick and despite Jimmy Dunne hooking the ball away the referee adjudged that all of the ball had crossed the line and awarded a goal.

Latics safely saw out the remaining minutes to gain a valuable win and increase the pressure on the top sides.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 3-1 Torquay United.

Scorers; Moore (19), (20), Hinnigan (84); Lawrence (27);

Attendance; 5,722

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

TORQUAY UNITED (4-4-2) — Turner; Darke, Ritchie, Twitchin, Payne; Dunne, Wilson, Murphy, Davies; Lawrence, Raper; Sub; Coffill (for Wilson);

Referee; Mr A. Challinor (Maltby).

The Wigan chairman took time out in his programme notes to thank some of the people behind the scenes who were helping to make Wigan Athletics’ first season in the Football League a success.  He thanked the ground staff who had been battling the weather to try and get games on, these included, Walter Kennedy, Bill Whalley and Jack Day. He thanked Mrs I Deacon who collected the kit after each game before washing and ironing it for the next outing. He thanked Frank Postlethwaite for helping co-ordinate the turnstile team. He thanked Duncan Colquhoun for his work as the team physio, keeping the players fit and helping them recover for the next match, and he thanked Mrs M. Ward who as well as her secretarial duties helped to coordinate the pools and lottery agents, a fund-raising activity that had proved highly popular and successful throughout the season raising £12,000.

A new lottery was being launched soon and this was expected to raise even more badly needed funds for the club.