Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION FOUR

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs HEREFORD UNITED

9^th February 1980

PROMOTION SURGE GETS STUCK IN THE MUD.

After heavy rain the pitch was something of a mud-bath and the game was in doubt until just before kick-off. Wigan were keen to play, Hereford United less-so but after a frustrating afternoon it may well be that Ian McNeill regretted the decision to play the game rather more than Frank Lord on the opposing bench.

Much of the talk after the game centred around the referee who seemed intent on spoiling the game as a contest with a string of curious decisions and inexplicable bookings.

Hereford settled in the conditions much better than Latics and the first half was largely devoid of incident.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 0-0 Hereford United.

Latics grabbed the lead ten minutes into the second half when Brownbill headed a corner back into the danger zone and CORRIGAN slammed the ball home from close-range. The goal seemed to settle the home side and they began to dominate with some slick passing in midfield. On 69 minutes Hereford were denied a leveller by an offside flag.

Then came the controversy as on 72 minutes Wigan thought they had doubled their lead when a free-kick was floated into the box by Corrigan and Houghton reacted the quickest as he fired home. Referee Tyson had other ideas and decided that the goal should not stand as he felt the kick had been taken too quickly. Five minutes later and Hereford were level with a scrappy goal as Methven appeared to be pulled to the ground as he attempted to head clear and BURROWS was able to loop a header past the static Brown.  Manager McNeill introduced Quinn for the largely ineffective Brownbill and the remainder of the game was played largely in the Hereford half as Wigan pushed for a winning goal.   

Hughes produced a fine save from a diving header by Corrigan and as Latics pressed the referee consistently stopped the flow of play with needless free kicks and yellow cards being doled out to both sides. In the end it was a vital point dropped and while the unbeaten run continues to stretch it was a night of frustration for the crowd of over 6,000.           

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 1-1 Hereford United

Scorers; Houghton (59); Burrows (73);

Attendance; 6,481

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

HEREFORD UNITED--- Hughes; Thomas, Burrows, Spiring, Layton; Stephens, Feeley, Marshall, White; Binney, Jones; SUB; --- McGrellis

Referee; Mr. George Tyson (Sunderland).