Report by SJG

FRIENDLY

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs CWKS LEGIA WARSAW

6^th August 1980

LATICS LACK THAT FINISHING ‘POLISH’

The new season is only days away and two big question marks exist ahead of the big day.  The first is fitness, as Wigan, who had worked their socks off for 70 minutes of this highly entertaining friendly, faded badly in the closing stages to capitulate to a highly proficient Polish side that was full of top talent and international class. The second was about finishing and the first half which saw Latics create a number of decent chances without scoring will cause manager Ian McNeill some sleepless nights ahead of the season.                                                        

Latics began well enough and while Warsaw looked more controlled on the ball, they never really looked like carving open a hard-working Wigan defence. Wigan had the better chances as Gore lobbed an effort just over the crossbar and then McMullan fired an effort just wide of goal.                 

Kazimierski in the visitor’s goal was forced into action by Houghton who produced a burst of pace that took him past two defenders before firing in a low drive. Brown in the home goal was largely untroubled, despite the away side having more of the ball and on the two occasions that they found space he produced assured handling to deny any further opportunity.                                          

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 0-0 CWKS Legia.                                                                         

The second half started in similar fashion with the visitors moving the ball well and Latics working hard to cover any threat but gradually the Latics legs tired and the Polish side took full advantage. On 72 minutes Baran made a break down the right flank and then linked well with Kusto before pulling the ball back for Polish international ADAMCZYK who finished past the dive of the despairing Ward.                                                                                     

Latics nearly produced an instant reply, but Quinn was superbly denied by a reflex save from Kazimierski.                                                                                                                              

On 78 minutes the visitors doubled their lead when a slick interchange of passes between three Polish attackers left MILOSZEWICK with a simple finish.

The Poles added a third in injury time with ADAMCYZK bursting into the box and finishing with a low drive under the advancing Ward.                                                                                                                                

Full time; Wigan Athletic 0-3 CWKS Legia.

Scorers; Adamcyzk (72), (90), Miloszewick (78).

Attendance; 2,400

Team; WIGAN—Brown; Fretwell, Whittle, Methven, Davids; Gore, McMullan, Wright, Tierney; Hutchinson, Houghton; SUBS; R. Ward (for Brown), Curtis (for Fretwell), Wignall (for McMullan), A. Quinn (for Hutchinson).

CWKS LEGIA--- Kazimierski; Sobieski, Topolski, Janas, Tominski, Majewski, Lason, Adamcyzk, Milewski, Kusto, Sikorski, SUBS; Okonski (for Janas), Baran (for Lason), Miloszewickz (for Kusto), Komosa.

Referee; Mr. Neil Midgeley (Salford).