Report by SJG

FRIENDLY

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs EAST FIFE.

 2nd August 1980

A TOUCH OF MCMULLAN MAGIC.

Wigan sent out a strong XI to take on the Scottish side, but they line up in an unfamiliar formation and for 45 minutes they looked and played like strangers. The front three of Hutchinson, Oliver and Houghton carried little by way of goalscoring threat and the back four of Fretwell, Whittle, Davids and Methven had to work hard to keep the visitors at bay.           

 In the 40^th minute a quick break saw Whittle tripping Thompson in the box and Jim SCOTT stepped up to convert the penalty.                 

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 0-1 East Fife.

Manager McNeil made a tactical switch at the break and reverted to the more familiar 4-4-2 formation and this seemingly transformed his charges as they began to take control of the midfield and dominate the possession. In the 65^th minute a long goal kick by Ward was collected by the ever-willing HOUGHTON and he fired home to level. Then in the 89^th minute MCMULLAN set off on a mazy dribble that saw him ghost past at least three defenders before sliding home the winning goal.                                                                       

Full time; Wigan Athletic 2-1 East Fife.

Scorers; Houghton (65), McMullan (89); Scott (40, pen).

Attendance; 2,384

Team; WIGAN—Brown; Fretwell, Whittle, Methven, Davids; Tierney, Gore, Corrigan, Houghton; Hutchinson, Oliver; SUBS; R. Ward (for Brown), Curtis (for Fretwell), McMullan (for Oliver).

EAST FIFE---Gorman, J. Scott, Thompson, Clarke, Beverage; Wedderburn, Marnock, Tait; Mackie, Herd, G. Scott; SUBS; Malone (for J. Scott), Honeyman (for Thompson), Burt (for Marnock).

Referee; Mr. Joe B. Worrall (Warrington).