Report by SJG

F. A. CUP - REPLAY

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs NORTHWICH VICTORIA

7^th January 1980

SUPERSUB BROWNBILL BOOKS LATICS A DATE IN THE CAPITAL.

Latics finally got the job done but it took a late strike by substitute Derek Brownbill to secure the victory.

Wigan had a great chance to take the lead inside the first five minutes when Quinn timed his run perfectly to get in behind the Victoria defence but faced with just the keeper to beat he came off second best and Ryan completed a fine save.

Peter Houghton looked much like his old self as he returns from injury and was unlucky when his rasping volley was palmed away by an acrobatic diving save.

Methven headed narrowly over from the resulting corner and the break arrived with the scoreline blank and the crowd getting increasingly frustrated.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 0-0 Northwich Victoria.

Early in the second period Braithwaite muscled past Methven and fired in a low cross that flew dangerously across the face of the Latics goal, but that was the closest that the visitors got to netting a surprise goal. Quinn fired an 80^th minute shot that slapped against the woodwork and with extra time looming Quinn went close again,

but Ryan again was on hand to make a fine tumbling save.

Brownbill was thrown into the fray in the 81^st minute to replace Houghton and after being out with injury for some ten weeks he very quickly made a telling contribution. Wright swung over a free-kick and a neat glancing header by the stooping BROWNBILL found the corner of the net to send Wigan through to the next round.

After the recent hectic programme of fixtures Latics were delighted to have avoided the need to play an extra thirty minutes as the sapping muddy pitch had already taken its toll on tired limbs.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 1-0 Northwich Victoria.

Scorers; Brownbill (89);

Attendance; 11,298

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

NORTHWICH VICTORIA--- Ryan; Ritchie, Collier, Mayman, Braithwaite; Nieman, Jones, Smith, Wilshaw; Bailey, Wain; SUB; --- Braithwaite (for O’Neill)

Referee; Mr. T. L. Morris (Leeds).