Report by SJG

FOOTBALL LEAGUE CUP

FIRST ROUND- FIRST LEG

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs CREWE ALEXANDRIA

9^th August 1980

GORE GRABS THE PLAUDITS AS LATICS BEGIN WELL.

Wigan began their competitive programme of fixtures with a hard-fought victory against Crewe Alexandria in the first round, first leg of the Football League Cup. The performance was far from convincing and Crewe who were led in attack by veteran striker Terry Conroy and prompted by the tricky Micky Guy often looked like the likely victors. Wigan grabbed the lead in the 12^th minute when Wright found GORE in space and his fierce drive from 25 yards arrowed into the top corner of the visitor’s goal. Tierney and McMullan seemed nervous and out of sorts and Crewe grew in confidence as the game progressed.  

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 1-0 Crewe Alexandria                                                                 

Crewe continued to play with a degree of freedom that always threatened to level the scores and on 54 minutes they scored the goal that their play deserved. Conroy caught Methven sleeping in defence and claimed possession before crossing to HUNTER who drilled home past a static Brown.                                                                                                                   

Latics tried to respond and Whittle struck an upright with a fierce left-footed drive. Whittle went on to cause more problems with a floated cross in the 82^nd minute and when Scott hesitated it was GORE who stole in on his blindside to bundle the ball home.

Full time; Wigan Athletic 2-1 Crewe Alexandria.

Scorers; Gore (12), (82); Hunter (54).

Attendance; 5,512

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

CREWE ALEX. ---Mulhearn; Wilkinson, Bowers, Hunter, Scott; Prophett, McMahon, Guy, Lewis; Conroy, Pallios; SUBS; Mountford.

Referee; Mr. Keith Hackett (Sheffield).