Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION FOUR

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs HARTLEPOOL UNITED

16^th August 1980

                              OPENING DAY JINX STRIKES WOEFUL LATICS                        

Wigan started a brand-new season with old habits very much to the fore. The opening day jinx that has afflicted the team since they joined the Football League again saw them stumble to yet another disappointing defeat.                       

The first half was a timid affair with neither side over committing as they gradually felt their way into the new campaign.  Wigans midfield had something of an experimental look as without Corrigan, Urquhart and Tierney the manager was forced into giving a start to youngster Dave McMullen alongside Wright and Gore in the midfield.                            

Wigans best chance to get the lead came courtesy of a fine searching pass from Houghton that found Jeff Wright in space, but the midfielders attempt at a cheeky chipped shot lacked elevation and the keeper made an easy save. There were other chances as well with Davids heading wide from a well delivered free kick and youngster McMullen firing in a powerful drive that passed just beyond the upright.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 0-0 Hartlepool United.                                                                 

Hartlepool got the dream start after the break and it was ex-Whitby Town striker Geoff Forster, who was making his debut for the visitors, who was to be the goalscorer. Wigan’s defence which is usually so dominant and assured hesitated as the ball broke loose and FORSTER was quickly on to the ball and fired home.  Twenty-five minutes later and more uncharacteristic hesitancy saw FORSTER again reacting well and sweeping home a second.  The striker then topped off his happy debut by turning creator for the third goal.           

Forster broke quickly down a wing (despite looking suspiciously offside) before checking inside and playing in a low cross that beat the diving Brown to allow HOUCHEN a simple close-range finish.                                                                                                              

Wigan had earlier made a substitution with youngster Micky Quinn coming on for Tony Quinn as they searched for goals, but the change did not have the desired impact as the Wigan faithful yet again experienced opening game disappointment as they stumbled to defeat.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 0-3 Hartlepool United.

Scorers; Forster (47), (72), Houchen (84).

Attendance; 5.233

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

HARTLEPOOL UNITED. ---Burleigh (G); Brown, Sweeney, Hogan, Bird; Fagan, Linacre, Kerr, Hampton; Forster, Houchen. SUBS; Harding

Referee; Mr. P. J. Richardson (Lincoln).         

Wigan’s scheduled midweek League game was postponed as the ground at Northampton was being used by the cricket team as their season reached a conclusion. This at least allowed the Physio’s to work on the ever-increasing list of injured players and hopefully a few of the players will be able to join the squad and be considered for the trip to Lincoln.