Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION FOUR

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs STOCKPORT COUNTY

 29^th December 1979

MIGHTY QUINN HELPS SWEEP STOCKPORT ASIDE.

Stockport County had struggled in the early season and their poor form had cost Mike Summerbee his job but in recent weeks they had been experiencing a bit of a revival under the management of Jimmy McGuigan and they arrived at Springfield Park in high spirits.

Les Bradd, who was better known for his attacking prowess, was selected to play in defence and this proved to be an issue for the visitors as the defence struggled throughout to cope with the quick movement of Tony Quinn and Micky Moore.

Latics got the dream start on seven minutes when WRIGHT played a neat one-two with Moore before flashing his shot past Lawson from fifteen yards. WRIGHT grabbed his and Wigans second goal just seconds before the break when his shot took a big deflection off the unlucky Rutter before looping over Lawson and into the net.

The second goal was something of a relief for Wigan as County had threatened throughout the first period with the tricky winger Coyle proving a handful on the greasy surface.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 2-0 Stockport County;

Wigan effectively put the game to bed in the 48^th minute when the ever-alert QUINN latched onto a loose ball after Sherlock made a hash of his attempted clearance. The young-striker swivelled and fired home past the stranded Lawson with the speed of the manoeuvre not allowing the ex-Everton keeper time to react.

Stockport were perhaps unfortunate to trail by three as they had offered plenty in attack and the normally secure Latics back line was often at full stretch to repel the visitors. Fretwell, who had an excellent all-round game, produced a goal-line clearance to deny Prudham, and Brown, in the Wigan goal, was at his best to ensure the points remained secure. PRUDHAM did find the net on 65 minutes but Latics were professional in closing out the game and ensuring that the majority of the 6,847 crowd went home happy.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 3-1 Stockport County.

Scorers; Wright (7), (45), Quinn (48); Prudham (65);

Attendance; 6,847

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

STOCKPORT COUNTY--- Lawson; Rutter, Sherlock, Henson, Bradd; Czuczman, Williams, Prudham, Sword; Chapman, Coyle; SUB; --- Thorpe

Referee; Mr. J. M. Warner (Wednesbury).