Report by SJG

FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION FOUR

ALDERSHOT vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

21^st April 1979

PROMOTION HOPES SHOT DOWN AS LATICS PAY THE PENALTY

The recreation ground in Aldershot had been something of a fortress for the home side with only two defeats in their previous 21 home games, so this was always going to be a tough task and that task was made more difficult with Houghton and Fretwell both ruled out with injury and Corrigan suspended.

The reshuffled Latics side set about the task with gusto and matched their opponents every step of the way. The home side looked threatening on the flanks with McGregor showing pace and skill and supplying a steady stream of crosses, but Davids and Ward proved a formidable pairing in the heart of the defence and kept a tight rein on 33-goal striker John Dungworth.

Brodie and Scott both had shots at goal but neither could hit the target and Brown was untroubled. At the other end of the park Purdie was proving elusive and the home keeper, Johnson, had to be quick off his line to claim the ball at the winger’s feet after he slipped away from his marker Jopling and bore down on goal. Kevin Smart had been pushed forward into midfield but was coping well in his unaccustomed role despite the lively opposition.

Half Time; Aldershot 0-0 Wigan Athletic.

Early in the second half both sides had good chances, Brown saved well from Crosby and the bustling Brownbill saw his dangerous burst blocked off by Jopling. Moore then had a golden chance when the Aldershot defence rushed out to try and play for offside from a Hinnigan free-kick but the striker failed to get enough force behind his header and Johnson was able to save. A draw, which would do neither side any good, looked the most likely result until in the 75^th minute the hosts were awarded a dubious penalty for an alleged hand-ball offence by Gore.

A cross into the Wigan box saw a heavy challenge on Brown go unpunished and in the melee that followed Needham forced the ball home. The referee disallowed the goal but, ignoring the foul on Brown, he chose to award a penalty. DUNGWORTH made no mistake from the spot.

Latics pushed hard but were unable to get back on terms. Wigans captain Noel Ward, who had been rewarded for his excellent recent form with an international call-up for Northern Ireland, collected a yellow card but it was Aldershot who collected two vital points.

Full Time; Aldershot 1-0 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; Dungworth (75, pen)

Attendance; 5,466

Team; WIGAN (4-4-2)—Brown; Curtis, Hinnigan, Ward, Davids; Smart, Wright, Gore, Purdie; Brownbill, Moore; Sub; Crompton for Smart

ALDERSHOT (4-4-2) — Johnson; Scott, Howitt, Longhorn, Youlden, Jopling, Crosby, Brodie, Needham, Dungworth, McGregor; Sub not used; Shanahan;

Referee; Mr Colin Downey (Hounslow).