Report by SJG

F. A. CUP - REPLAY

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs BLACKPOOL

 28^th November 1979

WIGAN ARE GIANT KILLERS ON A NIGHT OF GLORY.

A fantastic crowd of 14,589 turned Springfield Park into a cauldron of noise as Wigan stormed into the second round of the F A Cup where they have been paired against non -league Northwich Victoria.

The win was mired in controversy as referee Kevin McNally twice adjudicated in Wigans favour as he awarded a penalty for a scything tackle on Houghton and then shortly after he awarded a red card to Blackpool defender Ashurst for violent conduct.

The first half was high on effort but low on clear cut chances. Brown was called upon to make a fine save to tip over a McEwan header, and Houghton, at the other end was denied by the legs of Hesford when he had a clear sight of goal. Young Tony Quinn twice fired in efforts that flew too high and Hesford was alert when a Jeff Wright cross-come-shot had him scrambling to ensure the deadlock was not broken.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 0-0 Blackpool.

The second half sprang to life in the 51^st minute when Wright sent Houghton away on a mazy run that saw the Latics man fly past four defenders before Gardner brought the surging run to an end with a wild tackle that was adjudged to be just inside the area. The Blackpool players and manager contested the decision vociferously but GORE was calmness itself as he stepped forward and fired home, sending the keeper the wrong way.

A minute later and Tony Quinn was deemed to have overstepped the mark as he tried to bustle his way forward but Blackpool centre-half Ashurst took the law into his own hands and landed a hefty blow on the Liverpudlian. The referee reacted swiftly and Blackpool were destined to play the remainder of the game with just ten men.

With the visitors still trying to reorganise Wigan grabbed the chance to double their lead when Houghton raced through and pulled the ball back for CORRIGAN who slid in to apply the finish.

Blackpool did try and rally and the introduction of a young Dave Bamber added much-needed impetus to their attack.

The visitors, despite their numerical disadvantage, began to get on top and Latics had to be thankful for the excellent John Brown who saved well from Spence and McEwan and in the 73^rd minute good link up play by Spence and Kellow saw Brown diving full length to turn the shot against the post and away from danger.

Bamber added height and energy to the Pool attack and a late corner saw a flashing header superbly parried by Brown,

The home crowd roared their heroes’ home and cheered with delight when the final whistle confirmed their team’s latest giant-killing exploits.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 2-0 Blackpool

Scorers; Gore (pen, 51), Corrigan (59);

Attendance; 14,589

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

BLACKPOOL---Hesford, Gardner, Pashley, McEwan, Ashurst; Hockaday, Doyle, Weston, Harrison; Spence, Kellow; SUB; --- Bamber (for Weston).

Referee; Mr. Kevin McNally (South Wirral).

Latics will now face familiar opposition from their days in the Northern Premier League as they will travel to Drill Field to play Northwich Victoria. For one of Wigan’s goal scoring heroes the trip will see a return to a former club as Frank Corrigan had moved from Northwich to Latics for a fee of £1,500.

Latics expect to take a good following down to Cheshire and a ticket allocation of 2,500 had been agreed.