Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION FOUR

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs DARLINGTON

 3^rd November 1979

LATICS PRODUCE FIREWORKS AS QUAKERS WELL-BEATEN.

Darlington left Springfield Park empty handed after Latics produced one of their best performances of the season to date as they swept past their visitors from the North-East.

The outstanding Joe Hinnigan tormented the Quakers with his strong running from left back and the first two goals both arrived courtesy of the defenders assists.

The opening goal arrived on 18 minutes when Corrigan picked out Hinnigan who had made a fine overlapping run and as the floated cross caused panic it was CHARLTON who inadvertently turned the ball into his own net.

Wigans new striking sensation Tony Quinn was delighting the crowd with his pace and vision and it was fitting that he netted the second goal, another whipped cross from the left saw Craig, Cochrane and the keeper Owers all at sea and QUINN swooped to chest the ball home.

Wigan had enough chances to have been out-of-sight by the break, Corrigan struck the crossbar and Quinn was foiled on a number of occasions by Owers in the visitor’s goal.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 2-0 Darlington.

Wigan nearly allowed Darlington back into the match on the hour mark as STALKER muscled past both Davids and Methven before firing past Brown, an excellent goal.

Wigan responded in the best way possible as on 68 minutes a Corrigan free kick was powerfully headed home by HINNIGAN and then on 85 minutes the pair linked up again to make the scoreline more reflective of the Latics domination as HINNIGAN again applied the finishing touch.

The performance was certainly more like the Wigan Athletic side that the fans had hoped to see this season, Gore had his best game for a while and with Wright and Urquhart linking up in midfield there are now signs that the team is beginning to find more of a pattern.

Manager McNeill, while delighted with the win, was more reserved in his praise. He knows that this kind of showing needs to be produced on a much more consistent basis if the team is going to climb the table.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 4-1 Darlington.

Scorers; Charlton (18, OG), Quinn (23), Hinnigan (68), (85); Stalker (60);

Attendance; 5,001

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

DARLINGTON---Owers; Coleman, Cochrane, Ball, Bainbridge; Smith, McLean, Charlton, Ellis; Stalker, Craig; SUB; --- Taylor.

Referee; Mr. Ken Baker (Rugby)