Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION FOUR

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs DONCASTER ROVERS.

8^th October 1980

MIGHTY QUINN IS HAT-TRICK HERO.

Wigan Athletic produced the perfect response to their critics as they placed their feeble showing at Rochdale well and truly into the past and put their in-form visitors from Doncaster (who went into the game in fifth spot in the table) to the sword.                                           

The result was achieved without three regulars with Gore, Corrigan and Houghton all missing out on a spot in the starting XI.                              

Wigan produced a five-star performance that was brimming with enterprise, determination and courage and a lively Doncaster side simply could not live with the men in blue.                 

Wigan had eleven heroes on the sodden Springfield Park pitch but the man with the broadest smile was youngster Micky Quinn who claimed the match ball after a personal master class in finishing.  The game had not started well for Wigan or for Quinn as he suffered the indignity of missing an absolute sitter after just seven minutes play. But Quinn along with his team-mates shrugged off the incident and set about producing a display that was worthy of a team at the top of the league.                                                                    

The recalled McMullan was outstanding and his footwork and vision made light of the conditions. The battling Hutchinson was tireless throughout and can consider himself very unlucky not to have been among the scorers, but he did provide the perfect foil for Quinn and provided great support throughout.                     

George Urquhart stepped up manfully to fill the boots left vacant by the transfer listed Tommy Gore, he showed great determination and plenty of flair. Always in the thick of the action, he showed a willingness to take on players and try his luck with shots from distance, and his range of passing was without compare.                                                           

The first goal arrived after 24 minutes when Wright slipped a neat pass through for the on-rushing QUINN and his blockbuster effort from fully thirty yards flew into the net, via a post, giving Boyd no chance.                                                                                                   

Five minutes later Urquhart played the ball into the feet of QUINN at the edge of the box, and he rolled the defender before firing low past the diving Boyd for the second.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 2-0 Doncaster Rovers.                                                                         

Wigan were forced into a change at the break with a limping Tierney making way for Corrigan, but the change did not disrupt the flow of the Wigan passing unit and they continued to dominate. McMullan fired a low drive into the side netting and Urquhart saw a shot deflect narrowly wide with the keeper beaten.       

After 58 minutes Wigan grabbed a third goal, Hutchinson intercepted a poor pass in the Rovers defensive third and slipped a through ball for QUINN to race onto. The Liverpudlian took one touch and then struck the perfect shot that found the bottom corner of the goal with unerring accuracy.                                         

Wigan could easily have added to their tally as Corrigan had an effort that cannoned off the post and the rebound just evaded Hutchinson. Then a free kick saw Methven power a header at goal, but Boyd was perfectly placed to defuse the danger.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 3-0 Doncaster Rovers.

Scorers; M. Quinn (24), (29), (58).

Attendance; 3,608

Team; WIGAN—Ward (G); Curtis, Kettle, Methven, Davids; Urquhart, Wright, Tierney, McMullan; Hutchinson, M. Quinn; SUBS; Corrigan (for Tierney).

DONCASTER ROVERS ---Boyd (G); Russell, Lister, Saunders, Harle; Dowd, Pugh, Nimmo, G. Snodin; Warboys, Little. SUBS; I. Snodin (for Saunders)

Referee; Mr. Alex J. Hamill (Wolverhampton).