Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION FOUR

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs SCUNTHORPE UNITED

 17^th November 1979

WRIGHT INSPIRED LATICS LOOK FOUR-MIDABLE.

Wigan maintained their surge up the table with a fine 4-1 win against a Scunthorpe United side that never really threatened to end Latics’ recent upturn in fortunes.

The key to Wigans victory was the vision and precise passing ability of the much-maligned Jeff Wright.

Wright has often been the target of the boo-boys at Springfield Park but his fine ball inside full-back Pilling on 12 minutes allowed GORE to burst forward and plant his shot beyond Gordon in the visitor’s goal.

Wright produced a similar ball inside Davy on 38 minutes and this time it was HINNIGAN who was clear and he finished well.

In between the two goals Wright fed a slide-rule pass through the back line to set Houghton in on goal and only a scything challenge ended the forward’s advance.

The third goal arrived just before the break and was the pick of the goals. Hinnigan picked out URQUHART with a square ball and the midfielder unleashed a 30-yard shot that flew into the top corner of the net.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 3-0 Scunthorpe United.

The second half was less productive for the home side but it was not down to the lack of chances created. QUINN maintained his scoring streak (five goals in five games) with a crisp finish from eight yards after Houghton, who had been set free by Wright, produced a precise cross.

Quinn could and should have added to his tally but after gliding past two defenders with remarkable ease he fired just wide of the far post.

Scunthorpe pulled one goal back on 66 minutes when PARTRIDGE had a first time shot that beat Brown and found the corner of the net, but the goal was never going to be more than a consolation and Latics comfortably claimed the win.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 4-1 Scunthorpe United.

Scorers; Gore (12), Hinnigan (38), Urquhart (43), Quinn (59); Partridge (66);

Attendance; 4,618

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

SCUNTHORPE UNITED---Gordon; Davy, Pilling, Kavanagh, Dall; Oates, Cowling, Cammack, Keeley; Green, Partridge; SUB; --- Peacock.

Referee; Mr. George Nolan (Stockport).