Report by SJG

CHESHIRE COUNTY LEAGUE

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs STOCKPORT COUNTY RESERVES

 11^th April 1934

LATICS FIGHT BACK TO COMPLETE COME-BACK VICTORY.

Wigan came from a goal behind to grab another vital victory in the race for the title. Macclesfield had played earlier in the day and had fallen to defeat at Witton Albion, so the victory saw Wigan pull four points clear with a game in hand.  The league win (the fifth on the bounce) was certainly hard earned and it was only in the final minutes of the encounter that Wigan finally grabbed the crucial advantage.                                                                            

Wigan had been busy in the week and had signed on a nippy centre forward, Tommy Doyle, from Southport on trial for the remainder of the season. Doyle came straight into the team instead of Cherry and Anderson returned for Spencer.                                                 

In wet and dreary conditions, the game started ten minutes before the advertised time because of the poor light. Scott had the first chance of the game when he beat the offside trap and raced clear, but he pulled his shot across the face of the goal. Stockport also went close with an effort by Feeney that was bravely blocked by Robinson.                                        

Latics should then have taken the lead, Barraclough fumbled a low shot by Scott and when the rebound fell to Snaith he deftly lobbed the keeper and the goal would have been awarded but Doyle, who was offside, chased the ball in and added the final touch, thus becoming active and the effort was correctly ruled out for offside.                                                 

On 25 minutes Pope and Pearson linked up well for the visitors and WILKINS was on hand to score from close-range.                                                                                                             

Wigan quickly went on the attack and two well delivered free kicks saw Doyle force a good save from Barrowclough and Scott sent a drive narrowly wide of the target. A number of half chances came and went at both ends, the best of which was a sweeping move by County that ended with Watling just failing to get the vital last touch.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 0-1 Stockport County Reserves.

The teams turned round quickly with the minimum of half-time breaks and the second half began in dramatic fashion. A quick break down the Wigan right wing saw a cross swung across the area and SCOTT drove a first time shot beyond the County keeper to level up proceedings.                                                           

Latics now piled on the pressure and forced a series of corner kicks that County defended well. Then, following a trip on Doyle, Cowper lifted a free kick into the area, and a mad scramble ensued in the muddy goalmouth before Barraclough somehow recovered the ball and smuggled it to safety.                                                                                                       

Wigan were now well on top and Snaith should have done better with a shooting opportunity, but he fired straight at the keeper who was well positioned and did well to catch the greasy ball.                                                                                                                    

County were now resorting to robust defence to frustrate the Wigan forwards, but they broke quickly in the 67^th minute with Priestley getting clear but Caunce came quickly off his line and bravely collected the ball by diving at the forwards feet.

Priestley had another chance moments later and his shot was beyond the reach of Caunce, and it was Robinson who came to Wigans rescue as he hacked clear off the goal-line.              

With just 12 minutes left on the clock a low cross by Cowper caused chaos in the County area and it was FELTON who was in the right place at the right time to smuggle the ball home.                                                                                                                                             

In the failing light County tried to respond and when O’Dell missed his kick and let in Priestley, but it was Caunce who again raced from his line to smother the ball and defuse any danger.                                                                                                                                       

In injury time debutant Doyle went close to adding a third but his well struck shot thudded against the County bar and the defenders were able to clear.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 2-1 Stockport County Reserves.

Scorers; Scott (47), Felton (78); Wilkins (25).

Attendance; 3,000

Team; WIGAN ATHLETIC--Caunce; Robinson, O’Dell; Wallbanks, Anderson, Cowper; Hitchen, Doyle, Snaith, Felton, Scott.

STOCKPORT COUNTY RESERVES---Barraclough; Beedles, Smith, H. Taylor, Miller, J. Taylor; Pope, Feeney, Priestley, Watling, Wilkins.

Referee; Mr. W. E. Dickinson (Winsford, Cheshire).