Report by SJG

F. A. CUP

CHELSEA vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

14^th January 1980

GORE BLIMEY----GLORY NIGHT FOR SUPER GIANT-KILLING LATICS

Latics march on in the Cup after a glorious evening in London when a strong Chelsea side, who sat proudly at the top of the second division, fell foul of a wonderful Tommy Gore strike.

Wigan played fluent football throughout and the early onslaught that was expected never materialised and it was the Chelsea defence that was made to work hard as Houghton, Urquhart and Wright all went close before the fateful 40-minute mark when a Corrigan cross fell perfectly for GORE who produced the perfect lobbed shot that left keeper Petar Borota completely helpless as it arched into the net.

The home side had offered little in attack and the near frozen pitch was proving a good leveller. Ian Britton did flash a diving header just past Brown’s post on 38 minutes, but no-one could argue that Latics fully deserved their half time lead.

Half Time; Chelsea 0-1 Wigan Athletic.

Chelsea upped their levels after the break and the Wigan defences were tested as Brown was called upon to make a number of good saves, one in particular from Clive Walker brought gasps from the stands as 

the Wigan keeper flung himself across his goal to stop what seemed to be a certain leveller.

Walker also rattled the post in the 50^th minute but the Wigan defence was able to scramble the ball clear.

The Wigan midfield refused to panic and as the pressure grew they at no stage resorted to long aimless balls, but rather, played the ball in a controlled manner and as Chelsea became more desperate Wigan could so easily of extended the lead when Methven fired into the side netting after ghosting in at the far post following a free kick.

Walker was again denied by Brown and as the minutes ebbed away for the home side the Wigan fans found their full voice and cheered the boys to victory with their own rendition of the Pompey chimes.

The final whistle was the signal for grand celebrations with the players, to a man, sprinting the whole length of the pitch to celebrate with their travelling fans.

Full Time; Chelsea 0-1 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; Gore (40);

Attendance; 22,300

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

CHELSEA--- Barota; Locke, Sparrow, Hales, Pates; Chivers, Britton, Fillery, Harris; Langley, Walker; SUB; --- Johnson (for Hales).

Referee; Mr. Derek Lloyd (Worcester).