Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION FOUR

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs ALDERSHOT

30^th August 1980

A BIG SIGH OF RELIEF, AS WIGAN GET LIFT OFF.

Wigan fans, players and officials alike will be sleeping easier this evening as Latics claimed a narrow win over their visitors from Aldershot to climb off the bottom of the table. It was a win that Latics merited but it could have been very different if Aldershot had taken advantage of their superiority in the first period. The ‘Shots’ wasted two golden chances, the first arriving on 25 minutes when French was perfectly placed but he failed to find the target with his rushed effort. Then the Wigan defence hesitated and allowed Brodie a free header that he directed goalwards, only to see the ball strike a post and deflect across goal where Fretwell was able to hack it to safety. Latics had struggled to get to grips with the visitor’s wide men but gradually the tide turned and McMullan went close with a curling shot that cannoned against the crossbar, before, minutes later, Methven went close again with a powerful header from a set play as he rose above the Aldershot defence. Finally, one minute before the break, Wigan grabbed the opening goal. Whittle crossed deep and Methven headed the ball back into the danger zone for WRIGHT who fired home superbly with a dipping half-volley from 18 yards.                 

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 1-0 Aldershot.

Wigan now began to look more like the team that had narrowly missed out on promotion last term as they moved the ball with more confidence and applied much more pressure on the visitors’ defence. Young Mick Quinn nearly got a decisive touch to a good move but was denied by Johnson who saved bravely at his feet. Then Whittle brought the very best from the Shots keeper with a rasping drive from 15 yards that he palmed away to safety.                                                                                                                                                

Aldershot did still have chances of their own, but with their leading scorer, Colin Garwood, side-lined with injury and with John Brown looking assured and confident in goal, they failed to breach the Wigan defences.                                                                                               

Tommy Gore was now taking grip of midfield with a tireless display and only Wigans lack of a finish was allowing the game to still be in the balance. Houghton, whilst lively in the wide areas, had clearly left his shooting boots at home, and Tony Quinn, who only joined the game in the closing minutes missed an absolute sitter from barely two yards out and with the goal unguarded.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 1-0 Aldershot.

Scorers; Wright (44).

Attendance; 4,278

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

ALDERSHOT ---Johnson (G); Edwards, Wooler, Briley, Bennett; Jopling, McGregor, Brodie, Lucas; French, Crosby. SUBS; Scott (for Lucas).

Referee; Mr. G. E. Flint (Kirkby in Ashfield).