Report by SJG

FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION FOUR

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs DARLINGTON

28^th April 1979

LAST HOME GAME OF HISTORIC SEASON ENDS IN FRUSTRATION.

Maybe some of the more optimistic members of the 6,153 fans who turned up to the final home game of the season still dreamed of promotion but most were there to applaud the history making players who had performed with such credit throughout a long hard debut season. A slow start, that trainer Kenny Banks put down to a lack of fitness, had turned into a concerted promotion push and only that early season form had stopped Latics from claiming a promotion spot at the first time of asking.

Fretwell and Houghton were still recovering from injury but Corrigan returned to the side after his one game ban.

Both keepers were called into early action with Brown saving from Hague and Gore forcing Burleigh to scramble across his goal with a low drive that flew narrowly wide.

Brown made an acrobatic save to turn a close range header by Ferguson over the bar, and Corrigan got on the end of a Gore cross to force the defence into a hasty clearance.

The opening goal arrived on 17 minutes when MOORE headed home a Gore corner. Everyone expected Latics to seize the initiative but it was the Quakers who regrouped and they struck back from a corner of their own with SEAL netting.  Brownbill was producing a typical all action display and he was the recipient of some rough treatment from the Darlington defenders, but on 31 minutes it was the scouser who had the last laugh when he netted from another well delivered corner kick.

The corner was flicked on by Hinnigan and BROWNBILL, from very close range, hooked the ball home.

Latics almost extended their lead before the break when Purdie produced a snap-shot that nearly caught out Burleigh in the Quakers goal. Then Corrigan had a shot that was parried to safety.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 2-1 Darlington.

Brownbill continued to be the target of strong tackles and on 47 minutes the referee had seen enough and dismissed Cochrane after yet another wild challenge.

Latics should have now built on their lead but it was the visitors who fought hard to get back into the game and on 60 minutes WALSH outpaced a Latics back-line that had been caught square by a through ball by Hedley and the winger’s low shot, which Brown got a hand on just made it over the line before it could be cleared.

Darlington came the closest to grabbing a winning goal when Craig beat Brown with a well struck shot but was denied by the foot of the post.

Despite the disappointing result the team received a standing ovation on the final whistle to recognise their exploits throughout the season.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 2-2 Darlington.

Scorers; Moore (17), Brownbill (31); Seal (19), Walsh (60);

Attendance; 6,153

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

DARLINGTON (4-4-2) — Burleigh; Nattress, Cochrane, Hedley, Craig; Hague, Stone, Wann. Ferguson; Seal, Walsh; Sub not used; Peachey

Referee; Mr Michael G. Peck (Doncaster).