Report by SJG

FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION FOUR

TORQUAY UNITED vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

7^th April 1979

ANOTHER POINT SQUANDERED AS TEN-MAN TORQUAY FIGHT BACK.

Latics were dominant but wasteful in the first 45 minutes at Plainmoor, with Peter Houghton particularly to blame. The ex-South Liverpool striker was a constant threat with his direct running, but his finishing was not up to the same standard.  He did fire Wigan ahead but he also squandered another five good chances, the worst miss came in the 35^th minute, Purdie made a surging run down the wing and swung in a fine cross that keeper Turner completely misjudged and the ball drifted beyond the stranded keeper and arrived at the head of Houghton who directed his free header wide of the goal. Two minutes later and HOUGHTON made amends, a well struck free kick from Smart was fumbled by Turner and the striker lashed home the rebound.

The game was delayed for a few minutes shortly after the opening goal when a smoke bomb was thrown into the goalmouth and stewards had to be on hand to clear the debris. The game restarted in driving rain and wind but there was plenty of excitement with Latics being denied a crucial second goal in injury time by a good save from Turner.  

Half Time; Torquay United 0-1 Wigan Athletic

Torquay replaced the limping, ex-Everton man, Alan Wilson with Murphy at the break but it was the referee who took centre stage as he dismissed Torquay midfielder Jimmy Dunne for persistent dissent. Corrigan and Houghton also saw yellow for back-chat but the referee seemed happy to let some robust challenges go unpunished and Latics became embroiled in a physical contest that seemed to better suit the home side. Latics continued to look dangerous on the break but could not get that vital second goal. Houghton went close, and Corrigan netted but was denied by the offside flag.

John Brown was clattered as he came to collect a cross after being struck by knee of Lawrence in the chest, and he received lengthy treatment before he could continue. Then Curtis was booked for a clumsy challenge as ten-man Torquay pushed hard for the leveller.

The home side continued to threaten and make light of their reduced numbers so it was not entirely unexpected when on 81 minutes, and following a flurry of corners a cross by Murphy was flicked on Lawrence flicked on at the near post and centre-half  PAYNE ghosted in to hook the ball over the line.

Full Time; Torquay United 1-1 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; Houghton (37); Payne (81);

Attendance; 3,112

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

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

Referee; Mr. Ray Lewis (Surrey).

Barnsley continued to show good form and with games in hand now look a good bet for a top four spot.  Latics are still very much in the mix, but the talk on the journey home from Torquay was of a ‘vital point dropped’ rather than a good point gained.