Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION FOUR

WALSALL vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

 8^th December 1979

QUINN ON THE MARK TO FRUSTRATE THE SADDLERS.

After their disappointing draw against Northampton Latics faced a trip to Fellows Park to play high-flying Walsall.

The task was sure to be a tough assignment as the home side had not lost on their home turf all season with an enviable record of W6, D4, L0.

Latics began well and were quickly on the front foot and QUINN grabbed the opening goal when he took full advantage of a slip by Sbragia. The Latics youngster latched onto the slip and quickly rounded Green before calmly planting the ball past the two defenders who were desperately trying to get round on the cover.

Wigan deserved their lead and a few minutes later the lead should have been doubled but Houghton screwed his shot just wide of goal.

Wigan produced a flowing five man move that was only ended when Urquhart was upended but referee Peter Reeves waved away the calls for what seemed a stonewall penalty.

Half Time; Walsall 0-1 Wigan Athletic.

The second half saw the home side turning up the heat as wave after wave of attack was repelled by the excellent Methven and Fretwell. The leveller arrived in the 71^st minute when Hinnigan was guilty of ball-watching and PENN nipped in to gain a yard of space and then slip his shot under the advancing Brown.

Penn had the opportunity to grab a second goal a few minutes later when a weak back pass by Methven left keeper Brown in no-mans ground, but the Wigan shot stopper got down well to smother the ball at the striker’s feet.

The game continued to be an even affair as Walsall pressed forward but Wigan refused to let the Saddlers gain full control of proceedings and despite the skilful promptings of Paul the Wigan midfield continued to compete and when the final whistle sounded they had fully deserved their point.

Full Time; Walsall 1-1 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; Quinn (14); Penn (71);

Attendance; 5,261

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

WALSALL--- Green, Macken, Caswell, Sbragia, Serella; Paul, Penn, Waddington, Williams; McDonough, Buckley; SUB; --- Mower

Referee; Mr. Peter G. Reeves (Leicester).