Report by SJG

FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION FOUR

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs BOURNEMOUTH

31^st March 1979

A VITAL WIN HELPS TO RE-IGNITE THE PROMOTION DREAM.

With Latics having only gleaned one point from the last four available it was crucial that they recorded a win against a Bournemouth side that on its day could be a handful for any side. With the prolific Ted McDougall leading their attack they were always likely to threaten and their defensive record (only Barnsley having conceded fewer goals), indicates that they are a well organised unit that will be tough to break down.

The game settled into a tight affair with both sides looking to catch their opponent on the break if they should over-commit. The visitors went close when a Miller free kick found the head of centre-half Brown but his effort passed over the bar. Then John Brown had to be alert to save well from a Massey effort. The Cherries keeper was busy as firstly Moore got onto the end of a Houghton cross but flashed his shot too high, then Houghton got onto a Purdie cross but could only find the side netting. On 44 minutes Purdie was tripped as he broke forward and the resulting free kick, taken by Corrigan, saw Moore produce a neat dummy that allowed HOUGHTON to find space and he slid the ball home.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 1-0 A.F.C. Bournemouth.

The second period saw Bournemouth pushing forward and Brown produced an outstanding diving save to deny Gary Borthwick.

Wigans midfield began to take control of the game and Jeff Wright

Had two shots blocked before Massey nearly netted in his own goal as he produced a rushed clearance.

Houghton nearly grabbed a second when a free kick by Tommy Gore fell to him in the box and he fired in a volley only for Allen to produce a stunning save and palm the ball behind for a corner.

The Cherries pushed forward as they chased a leveller but the Latics defence was in uncompromising mood and both Ward and Moore received bookings for overly robust challenges. For all their huff and puff the visitors never really looked like scoring and McDougall was well marshalled by Fretwell and Ward. Houghton was unlucky not to add a late goal when he broke at pace and unleashed a drive that struck the Bournemouth crossbar. The visitors had a half-chance in injury time when Butler fired in a long-range effort but Brown was equal to the task.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 1-0 A. F. C. Bournemouth.

Scorers; Houghton (44);

Attendance; 5,527

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

AFC BOURNEMOUTH (4-4-2) — Allen; G. Butler, Ferns, Brown, Miller; Borthwick, Holder, Lennard, Massey; MacDougall, M. Butler; Sub not used; Finnigan;

Referee; Mr. C. L. Newsome (Broseley).