Report by SJG

FOOTBALL LEAGUE CUP

STOCKPORT COUNTY vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

FIRST LEG

 11^TH August 1979

HOUGHTON STRIKES EARLY TO SET UP THE RETURN LEG.

Wigan had to start the new season without the services of Brown and Curtis, the former was making good progress towards full fitness but the newly signed full back from Blackburn was much more of a concern, the bad leg injury had now been confirmed as a break and a long period of recovery was expected.

A decent crowd turned out for the first leg and County, who had spent significant funds in an attempt to gain promotion would be formidable opposition.

County, who had failed to score against Latics in the previous season, nearly scored a bizarre opening goal when Lee headed goalwards and keeper Ward, who was distracted by a dog that had raced onto the pitch, was grateful that the effort was straight at him.

That incident apart it was Latics who looked the more assured side and on ten minutes they grabbed the opening goal. Corrigan and Purdie linked well on the wing and when Purdie pulled the ball back from the by-line the ever-alert HOUGHTON got in-front of his marker to side foot home.

Latics could have and should have doubled that lead when first Brownbill raced from deep but hesitated when Lawson in the home goal rushed to meet him and the ball and the keeper was able to smuggle the ball behind for a corner.  Then Corrigan let fly from 20 yards with a fine drive but Lawson flung himself full length to turn the effort aside. The game was held up for a number of minutes when fighting broke out on the terraces and the police had to intervene and escort around a hundred supporters from the stadium. Then when play resumed County grabbed an equaliser, Summerbee played the ball forward to Bradd who held off the challenges from the Wigan defence which allowed CZUCZMAN to fire in a rocket of a shot that Ward could only divert into the roof of the net.

Half time; Stockport County 1-1 Wigan Athletic.

The second half saw County starting to get the upper hand and on 55 minutes they took the lead when Steve SHERLOCK fired home.  Latics tried to fight back but Lawson in the County goal was proving more than a worthy adversary and his sharp reflexes and excellent handling ensured that County were able to take a slender advantage into the second leg at Springfield Park.

Full time; Stockport County 2-1 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; Houghton (10); Czuczman (45), Sherlock (55);

Attendance; 6,004

Team; WIGAN—B. Ward; Smart, Hinnigan, N. Ward, Fretwell; Gore, Wright, Corrigan, Purdie; Houghton, Brownbill; SUB; Urquhart for Houghton

STOCKPORT COUNTY--- Lawson; Thorpe, Rutter, Czuczman, Edwards; Henson, Galvin, Summerbee, Lee; Bradd, Chapman; SUB; Sherlock for Bradd

Referee; Mr. Gwyn Owen (Anglesey).

Keeper Bob Ward picked up a knee injury in the second half and as a result was rated doubtful for the return leg.

This sent Latics into the transfer market and Chris Shyne was signed as emergency cover.