Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION FOUR

ALDERSHOT vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

3^rd May 1980

LATICS SIGN OFF IN STYLE AND PUT DOWN MARKER FOR NEXT YEAR.

Wigans final game of the campaign saw them making a long trip South to take on an Aldershot side that sat in mid table and could boast a strong home record that had seen them beaten only five times during the season.

Wigan made one change to the starting XI with the experienced Corrigan replacing youngster Micky Quinn.

Wigan settled into the game well and kept a tight rein on the League’s leading goal-scorer Colin Garwood who had notched an impressive 27 goals for the season.

The first half was light on goalmouth action and the teams went in at the break with nothing to show for their efforts.

Half Time; Aldershot 0-0 Wigan Athletic.

If the first half showcased Wigans defensive strength, then the second showcased their potential as an attacking force.

Peter Houghton was to produce a devastating display of wide play as he created all three of Wigans goals. The first arrived shortly after the hour mark when the ex-South Liverpool player slid in CORRIGAN who slotted home past Johnson in the Shots goal.

In the 73^rd minute it was Houghton again who evaded his marker and made a break down the right wing before squaring the ball for the clinical SHEARER to double the score.

In the 80^th minute it was Houghton again who produced a fine piece of control before picking out the Middlesborough loan star, SHEARER, who signed off for the season with another clinical finish.

The performance certainly set down a marker for the coming season and left many of the Wigan faithful bemoaning what ‘could have been’ but a slow start to the season had again cost the Latics, who for the second consecutive season just fell short of the promotion places.

Full Time; Aldershot 0-3 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; Corrigan (65), Shearer (73), (80).

Attendance; 2,683

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

ALDERSHOT--- Johnson; Edwards, Wooler, Bennett, Youlden; Briley, Dixon, Brodie, Lucas; Garwood, Sanford; SUB; --- Tomlin (for Sanford).

Referee; Mr. A. W. Grey (Great Yarmouth).