Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION FOUR

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs DONCASTER ROVERS

26^th April 1980

WHITTLE TO THE RESCUE AS TEAMS DRAW A BLANK.

Wigan’s experienced defender Maurice Whittle found himself in an unusual position on a balmy Spring evening when he found himself taking the gloves and replacing the injured John Brown between the sticks.

Wigan had been gradually building the pressure on the visiting defence in a first period that was slow to ignite as a contest, but in the 38^th minute a collision between Brown and the Rovers centre-half David Bradley, changed the complexion of the encounter.

Latics reshuffled their line up with Whittle taking over in goal and substitute Corrigan filling in at full back.

Doncaster quickly adapted to the change and began to send a succession of crosses and long balls into the Wigan area and despite a number of shaky moments the Wigan rearguard stood firm until the half time break.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 0-0 Doncaster Rovers.

The half time break allowed the Wigan management team to re-organise and it was clear that the main tactical change was to stem the flow of crosses at source by closing-down quickly and activating a much more aggressive form of defence.

The change was to prove highly effective and with calmer and more clinical finishing Wigan really could and should have claimed both points.

David Shearer, Micky Quinn, Frank Corrigan and Colin Methven all had good chances but they each failed to find the target and work Willie Boyd in the Doncaster goal.

With little riding on the final result the game eventually fizzled out and thus Maurice Whittle can claim the plaudits for an excellent clean sheet. In truth, Whittle had little to do and was well protected by the Latics defence who restricted Billy Bremner’s side to only the occasional attack.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 0-0 Doncaster Rovers.

Attendance; 4,740

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

DONCASTER ROVERS--- Boyd; Russell, G. Snodin, Bradley, Dowd; I. Snodin, Pugh, Nimmo, Flanagan; Mell, Little; SUB; --- Lewis (for Mell).

Referee; Mr. Derek Owen (Wirral).