Report by SJG

CHESHIRE COUNTY LEAGUE

STALYBRIDGE CELTIC vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

 17^th April 1934

HAVE WIGAN GOT THE TITLE JITTERS?

The age old saying ‘There is many a slip twixt cup and lip’ may not be a Shakespearian line but it may be used to good effect at present in relation to Wigan Athletic.                                  

Latics welcomed back Robson after injury and had a full squad to select from as they went in search of the six points (three wins) that would see them claim the title for the first time since their founding.                                                                                                                           

A crowd of just over 3,000 turned out to watch the game and that included a good contingent of Latics fans who had high hopes of a win after seeing their heroes dismantle Celtic 5-0 at Springfield Park earlier in the season.                              

Stalybridge had a strong line up with plenty of league experience which included Cecil Smith (ex-Burnley) in attack and Bert Whalley (ex-Manchester United) in defence. Whalley would go on to coach the famous Busby babes and tragically meet his death in the Munich air disaster in 1958.                                 

Wigan had the wind at their backs and benefitted from the slope in the first half, but they found it hard to create chances and when they did pierce the home rearguard Travis was proving a formidable opponent between in goal.  O’Dell and Scott combined to produce Wigan’s first opening when they slipped in Felton, but his well struck effort was turned over the bar by Travis. Celtic relied mainly on long balls but one such delivery nearly created the opening goal as Murphy, who looked suspiciously offside, went through with only Caunce to beat but his shot was tame and the Wigan custodian collected with ease.                                                                                                                                       

Snaith sent in a snapshot from a good position, but it flew well over the bar and Felton was similarly wasteful a few minutes later when presented with a decent opening. Celtic, however, continued to threaten the Wigan goal and Caunce was called upon to make a fine double save as he blocked efforts by Hope and Murphy in turn.                                       

Snaith continued to be busy, and a well struck drive deflected narrowly wide for a corner. A quick play of the ball then released Doyle who drove in a splendid effort that was only inches beyond the far post.                                                                                                                     

With five minutes to go to the break Snaith picked up a bad injury to his ankle and this was to effectively end the forwards participation in the match as he was nothing more than a passenger for the remaining 50 minutes of the contest.

Half Time; Stalybridge Celtic 0-0 Wigan Athletic.                                                                    

Caunce was quickly called into action after the restart with Hornby producing a clever shot that had the Wigan custodian scrambling to recover and affect the save. Cowper had switched positions with Snaith, and he was acquitting himself well in the centre-forward position.                                                                                                                                    

 In the 58^th minute a piece of quick thinking by the Celtic forward line resulted in the opening goal. A quickly taken throw by Kellard caught Latics off guard and Hornby slipped his marker before crossing to SMITH who, despite looking to be offside, was allowed to advance unopposed and fire past the helpless Caunce.                                                            

The goal unsettled Wigan and Celtic had a number of chances to add to their tally with Hope, Murphy, and Prior all going close. However, during the course of the League season Wigan have showed their resilience on many occasions and it was that quality that again came to the fore as on 63 minutes they levelled the scores.                                                

Anderson played a long ball into the channel and COWPER used his pace to sprint clear before firing his shot across the face of the goal and into the far corner with Travis unable to get a hand on the well struck effort.                                                                                    

The home side were having by far the better of the exchanges (primarily due to extra man that Snaith’s injury effectively provided), but the Wigan defence was proving a difficult barrier to penetrate.                                                                                                         

Caunce produced several good and timely interventions and was brave in coming for lofted balls despite the presence of Celtic forwards. One such save saw the keeper come off worse in a heavy challenge with Smith but despite being injured and prone on the floor the Wigan keeper somehow pushed the ball away to safety.                                                                       

With time running out Caunce again did well to block a drive by Murphy and then he fisted clear a lobbed effort from Whalley, however, the punch lacked distance and it fell kindly to Prior, who should have netted, but he screwed his shot past the post to the relief of the Wigan players and supporters.                      

Full Time; Stalybridge Celtic 1-1 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; Cowper (63); Smith (58).

Attendance; 3,100

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

STALYBRIDGE CELTIC ---Travis; Thornley, Mountney; Suttie, Whalley, Kellard; Prior, Hope, Smith, Hornby, Murphy.

Referee; Mr. S. Boardman (Hale, Cheshire).