Report by SJG

F. A. CUP

EVERTON vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

26^th January 1980

LATICS GO DOWN FIGHTING IN FRONT OF OVER 50,000 FANS

A full house at Goodison Park and by far the biggest attendance of the round turned out to see one of the oldest football league clubs take on their newest recruits.

The press coverage during the week had built the game up to fever pitch and an army of Latics fans made their way down the East Lancs Road in a variety of coaches, buses, vans and cars.

Local rivalries were to the fore as long time Everton fans pledged their voices to their home town side and even the local press room found itself with split loyalties.

Manager McNeill was able to name his first choice XI with new rising star Tony Quinn unlucky to find himself named as substitute.

Wigan settled quickly into the game and for 30 minutes they more than held their own against their illustrious opponents. They could easily have grabbed a lead as Hinnigan brought Hodge into action as the keeper was at full stretch to collect a header and then Houghton was inches away from finding the on-rushing Brownbill with a searching pass but Hodge just about managed to collect the ball before the ex-Liverpool forward could get a vital touch. Houghton was proving a handful for the young centre half Billy Wright and his direct running was a constant worry for the home defence. Everton showed their class on the half hour when a low cross from the right flank by Stanley was swept home first time by MCBRIDE.

The 20,000 Wiganers in the crowd were far from down-hearted and the team refused to let their heads drop and they held out bravely until the interval.

Half Time; Everton 1-0 Wigan Athletic.

Wigan went straight onto the attack after the break and with any early nerves now long gone they seemed determined to find themselves an equaliser. The Wigan fans cheered on their team with cries of ‘Come on you Reds’ as Latics were wearing their all-red strip that had proven lucky at Stamford Bridge.

Fretwell powered a header goalwards but Hodge was well positioned and collected well, then Jeff Wright thought he had scored but Mike Lyons got back behind the keeper and cleared off the line. Brownbill tried his luck from an acute angle but Hodge was more than equal to the danger.

On 65 minutes Wigans momentum was baulked by an injury to the impressive Hinnigan and Corrigan had to drop into the full back role with Quinn entering the fray. The change seemed to upset the sides balance and McBride took full advantage when he whipped in a near post cross and LATCHFORD muscled in at the near post to bundle the ball home. Brown appealed in vain that he had been fouled by the England striker but referee Willis was not sympathetic to the claim.

A few minutes later and it was McBride who again outwitted Corrigan before pulling back a cross for KIDD to fire home from six yards.

Wigan still refused to capitulate and they continued to press for a consolation goal. One late raid saw Houghton flash a drive just over the bar and then Gore unleashed a thunderbolt effort from 30 yards that beat Hodge and grazed the outside of a post before ending in the Latics fans behind the goal.

The game had developed a niggly edge and Kidd, who was booked for dissent, took the law into his own hands in the 81^st minute when he tangled with Davids and was dismissed.

When the final whistle sounded it was Everton who progressed but the crowd both Wiganer and Evertonian alike applauded the Latics from the field following their spirited display.

Full Time; Everton 3-0 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; McBride (30), Latchford (72), Kidd (77);

Attendance; 51,863

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

EVERTON--- Hodge; Gidman, Bailey, Wright, Lyons; Stanley, Hartford, Eastoe, McBride; Latchford, Kidd; SUB; --- Ross;

Referee; Mr. Peter Willis (Meadowfield, County Durham).