Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION FOUR

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs ALDERSHOT

5^th March 1980

BACK ON TRACK WITH A SOLID WIN.

After the capitulation at Sincil Bank this win and the resulting two points were very welcome.

Aldershot, whilst very much in the promotion race, were suffering a bad dip in form and Wigan took advantage of their dwindling confidence with a fast start to the game.

Corrigan and Methven returned to the starting XI after suspension with Whittle coming into the side for his debut.

Kevin Smart had been allowed to leave the club on a free transfer, and off-field drama involving assault charges had seen McIvor dropped from the first team squad.

It only took three minutes for Latics to net and CORRIGAN celebrated his return by firing home from short-range following great build up play by Wright and Gore.

It could have been 2-0 a few minutes later when Whittle and Wright linked to create an opening for Houghton but he dragged his shot narrowly wide.

On 12 minutes Wigan had a lucky escape when Methven appeared to handle inside the box but the referee ruled in the home sides favour and the lead remained intact.

Aldershot always looked lively and on 31 minutes Brodie lifted a seemingly harmless ball into the box but the razor-sharp GARWOOD controlled the ball and in one move swept his shot past Brown.

Aldershot nearly grabbed the lead before half time when a corner kick found the head of Brodie and his effort beat Brown but was hacked clear off the line by Gore.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 1-1 Aldershot.

The second half developed into a midfield battle with both sides probing for a goal but neither really threatening or working the opponent’s keeper.

The game seemed destined for a deserved draw until HOUGHTON produced a moment of magic. The scouse magician took his goal tally up to 12 for the season on 82 minutes when he unleashed a dipping effort from 20-yards that beat Johnson in the visitor’s goal.

Aldershot were stunned into action and the visitors threw everything into attack in the final minutes as they chased an elusive late leveller but Brown, in the Wigan goal, was on top form and produced a stunning late save to deny Edwards from close-range with a world class reflex save.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 2-1 Aldershot.

Scorers; Corrigan (3), Houghton (82); Garwood (31);

Attendance; 5,018

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

ALDERSHOT--- Johnson; Edwards, Wooler, Dixon, Bennett; Youldon, Crosbie, Brodie, Lucas; Garwood, Needham; SUB; --- Green (for Garwood).

Referee; Mr. Arnold Challinor (Maltby).