Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION FOUR

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs LINCOLN CITY

 20^th October 1979

HOUGHTON BRACE SPARKS REVIVAL.

Wigans attention now turned to the vital task of procuring league points. The visitors to Springfield Park were high-flying Lincoln City who currently sit fifth in the table.

Wigan looked jittery in defence during the opening exchanges and the new centre half pairing of Methven and Davids had their hands full as Lincoln looked the more likely scorers.

On the half hour Moore went in for a heavy challenge and limped from the field to be replaced by 18-year-old Tony Quinn who made his first team debut from the substitutes bench.

On 34 minutes the opening goal arrived as a hopeful looping cross by Hobson was sliced into his own goal by the unlucky WRIGHT.

After their recent poor run of form it seemed that another home defeat was almost inevitable as Lincoln looked to double their lead but poor finishing by Cockerill and Sunley saw two gilt edged chances go astray and the new front pairing for Latics set about proving the gloom and doom merchants wrong as on 39 minutes HOUGHTON lashed home a fine volley, after the Lincoln defence had only partially cleared a free kick, to level the scores.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 1-1 Lincoln City.

Quinn was certainly making a favourable impression with the Latics fans as he energetically closed down defenders and then produced one solo run that ended with a fierce shot that flew narrowly wide. In the 67^th minute Quinn produced a delightful back heel following a Gore throw in that wrong footed the defence and allowed HOUGHTON time and space to fire home with a low drive that gave Grotier no chance.

Houghton had several chances to add to his tally but the Lincoln keeper was equal to his efforts and in the later stages it was Lincoln who were pushing hard for an equaliser that had the fans anxiously calling for the final whistle to blow.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 2-1 Lincoln City.

Scorers; Houghton (39), (67); Wright (34, OG);

Attendance; 5,454

Team; WIGAN—Brown; Fretwell, Hinnigan, Methven, Davids; Gore, Wright, Corrigan, Houghton; Moore, Urquhart; SUB; --- A. Quinn (for Moore)

LINCOLN CITY---Grotier; Guest, Neale, Watson, Saunders; Peake, Hobson, Carr, Cockerill; Harford, Sunley; SUB; --- Cunningham (for Sunley)

Referee; Mr Colin Seel (Carlisle)