Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION FOUR

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs AFC BOURNEMOUTH

6^th February 1980

PROMOTION THE AIM FOR HOT-SHOT PETE.

Latics continued to press hard for a promotion place as they collected another win. This time at the expense of Bournemouth in a re-arranged game, the game was one of the games-in-hand that the weather and the cup run had caused to pile-up, but Latics still looked fresh and for the second game running they came from behind to grab an important victory.

Latics looked surprisingly nervous in the first half and the Bournemouth defence coped well with the Wigan forwards who tended to rush the final pass and as a result their normal composure on the ball was absent.

The visitors took full advantage and grabbed the lead when veteran striker MACDOUGALL was on hand to poke home from close range after Brown produced a fine save from a Holder free kick but failed to hold the slippery-wet ball.

The visitors have a strong away record and their ability to soak up pressure has clearly been a big feature in their performances away from Dean Court, Latics had spurned a couple of early chances with Corrigan forcing Smeulders into a diving save and Brownbill flashing a drive over the bar but on 38 minutes they levelled matters as Davids fed Wright in space on the flank and his low ball was perfectly weighted for HOUGHTON to fire home with a first time finish.

Wigan had finally found their midfield rhythm and their passing became much more penetrative as the half time break arrived.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 1-1 AFC Bournemouth.

Houghton was giving Miller a torrid time and twice in the early stages of the second half he saw efforts cleared off the line by desperate Bournemouth defenders and it was the ex-South Liverpool man who created the decisive goal on 68 minutes.

Houghton closed down Miller who hesitated in clearing the danger and when he was dispossessed the ball was quickly moved to Gore who in turn squared a pass into WRIGHT who fired into an open goal.

Bournemouth lived on scraps in the second period as Wigan controlled proceedings but Brown was called upon to save well from Moore, who perhaps should have done better when presented with a free header, that chance came when the scores were level, but once ahead Latics saw out the remaining time with few alarms and further enhanced their claims to a promotion place.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 2-1 AFC Bournemouth.

Scorers; Houghton (38), Wright (68); MacDougall (31);

Attendance; 5,904

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

BOURNEMOUTH--- Smeulders; Cunningham, Ferns, Bryant, Moore; Holder, Heffernan, MacDougall, Miller; Evanson, Butler; SUB; --- Chambers

Referee; Mr. Terry L. Morris (Leeds)