Report by SJG

CHESHIRE COUNTY LEAGUE

NANTWICH vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

 14^th April 1934

WAS IT A POINT GAINED?  OR ONE LOST?

A trip to Nantwich was next on the agenda for Wigan Athletic as they looked to push home their advantage in the title race with the finishing line in sight. The Nantwich side were struggling in mid-table but had achieved recent success when they claimed victory in the Cheshire Senior Cup (pictured) in 1933 when the Dabbers lifted the trophy, beating ICI (Alkali) 1-0 in the Final.

James Cherry returned to the starting XI replacing Hitchen in the only change to the team and Wigan began the game well. With the wind at their backs Latics looked to fashion the early breakthrough that would steady the teams’ nerves. Doyle had an early effort that was just too high and in the very next attack Felton went within inches of scoring with a sweetly struck drive. Nantwich then forced a good save from Caunce who got down well to save after a cross by Simon screwed off the head of Robinson as he tried to head clear and nearly squirmed into the Wigan net.

Wigans defence looked unusually shaky, and Nantwich took encouragement from their apparent unease and applied more pressure. Butt and Robinson were engaged in a fine tussle and the Nantwich man whipped in a good cross that O’Dell struggled to clear and shouts for a penalty for handling the ball were waved away.

Chances came and went at both ends of the pitch, Johnson headed wide after a good cross by Spencer and then Cherry found space to fire at goal after good work by Scott, but Hollins got down well to save at his near post.

The hosts finally took the lead in the 35^th minute after Butt had forced a corner. The ball was well delivered by Spencer and SLIGHT arrived perfectly to volley home. The goal seemed to unsettle Wigan and Nantwich could easily have doubled their lead as Spencer shot just wide on two separate occasions.

Half Time; Nantwich 1-0 Wigan Athletic.

The second half saw Snaith move into the centre of attack, and this seemed to have a positive effect as the visitors quickly applied pressure. Good link up play between Scott and Felton set up a chance for Snaith, but Platt was quick to close down the opportunity. The high wind was now aiding the home side, but it was proving more of a hindrance than a help as high balls proved difficult to judge in the swirling conditions. One Cowper miskick allowed Butt a clear run at goal, but his shot was well wide of the mark.

Butt continued to look a likely scorer and when Johnson deftly slid a pass forward for the winger to chase, it was only the timely intervention by Wallbanks that averted a second concession by the Latics.

Slight then nearly produced a replica of his opening goal when another corner kick landed kindly for him to strike first time at goal, but Caunce was quickly across his goal and saved well. A miskick by Roberts nearly allowed Cherry in on the Nantwich goal but the Wigan man held onto the ball too long and Simon was able to get back and force the ball to safety.

The Dabbers were keen to hang onto the points that would insure them against having to re-apply to the League and they gave no quarter as they relied on the bigger physique of their centre half Simon to subdue the slighter Wigan forwards.

Scott was causing problems for the home side and after one strong run his cross fell beautifully in the area and a melee ensued with Wallbanks, Cowper and Snaith all seeing their goal bound attempts smothered.

Wigan continued to apply the pressure and after good work from Doyle and Snaith the ball was switched to Scott who had space and time to drive in a shot that Hollins did well to turn aside. Snaith then had an effort ruled out (correctly) for offside and Scott had another shot that bounced off the crossbar with the keeper beaten.

Finally, with just ten minutes left on the clock Wigan got the goal that their pressure deserved. Wallbanks found Snaith with an incisive pass and he slipped in FELTON (pictured). The Wigan man took the ball in his stride and from close range he fired an unstoppable rising shot that flew past the flat-footed Hollins.

From here on in there was only ever going to be one winner as Latics piled forward in relentless fashion with Snaith, Felton and Scott all going close to grabbing the winner, but Simon, who was rugged in defence, and Hollins who excelled throughout ensured that the game stayed level on the scoreboard.

Full Time; Nantwich 1-1 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; Felton (80); Slight (35).

Attendance; 1.500

Team; WIGAN ATHLETIC--Caunce; Robinson, O’Dell; Wallbanks, Anderson, Cowper; Cherry, Snaith, Doyle, Felton, Scott.

NANTWICH ---Hollins; Platt, Roberts; Davies, Simon, T. Smith; Spencer, James, Johnson, Slight, Butt.

Referee; Mr. E. Plinston (Warrington, Cheshire).