Report by SJG

FRIENDLY

MACCLESFIELD TOWN vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

30^th July 1980

WIGAN OVERPOWER SILKMEN IN SECOND HALF.

Three second half goals, two of which were penalties, provided a comfortable win for what was largely an experimental Wigan side at Moss Rose. Manager Ian McNeill used a total of 17 players as his charges recorded their second win against Northern Premier League opposition in five days.                                        

A number of the squad produced strong displays as they try to lay claim to a starting place in the first team. One man who certainly did his cause no harm was the all-action Tierney who produced an eye-catching display as he appeared to cover every blade of grass.                         

One surprise starter for Latics was youngster Steve Yates, his career had seemed over when, at the age of 20 he suffered a horrible knee injury that looked to have ended his career but after surgery he managed a solid 45 minutes and acquitted himself well.                       

New signing Bobby Hutchinson made his first appearance but looked to be less than fully fit and his lack of match sharpness may well have contributed to the goalless first period. Another player returning after injury and looking to secure a contract is full back John Curtis. He produced a solid display and will have done his claims no harm.                                                                  

Half Time; Macclesfield Town 0-0 Wigan Athletic.                                                                   

igan finally made the breakthrough on 57 minutes when Jeff WRIGHT was sent sprawling in the box and calmly picked himself up to slot home the resulting penalty kick. The mercurial Peter HOUGHTON added the second with another beauty as he collected the ball drifted past three defenders and let fly from 20 yards giving Rafferty in the home goal no chance. Latics were now controlling proceedings and should have added to their tally long before the 89^th minute when Tierney was barged over in the box and CORRIGAN sent the keeper the wrong way as he converted the resulting  penalty.                                                                       

Full time; Macclesfield Town 0-3 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; Wright (57, pen) Houghton (72), Corrigan (89, pen).

Attendance; 500 (est).

Team; WIGAN—Ward; Curtis, Fretwell, Davids, Whittle; Tierney, Yates, Wright, Hutchinson; M. Quinn, A. Quinn; SUBS; Houghton (for A. Quinn), Oliver (for M. Quinn), Wignall (for Wright), Corrigan (for Yates), McCallistair (for Fretwell).

MACCLESFIELD TOWN--- Rafferty, Nelson, Stilious, Kershaw, Higham; Gay, Williamson, Szabo, Fromek; Goodwin, Hallows; SUBS; Sherlock, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist.