Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION FOUR

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs PETERBOROUGH UNITED.

11^th October 1980

LATICS HAVE TO SETTLE FOR POINT IN HARD FOUGHT GAME.

An impressive Peterborough United side pushed Latics all the way in this tough encounter. It was only really in the last twenty minutes of the game that the home side began to gain the upper hand and manager Ian McNeill was fulsome in his praise of their opponents in his post-match interviews.                                    Wigan named an unchanged side, but they began the game in uncharacteristic sluggish fashion and Peterborough, a side riding high in the league, quickly settled and began dictating affairs with assured passing and clever movement. After just three minutes Peterborough were almost gifted the first goal when Wright left a back pass well short of it target and only good alert keeping by Ward denied the Peterborough hit man, Robbie Cooke, a simple goal. More defensive errors followed as first Kettle and then Urquhart were caught in possession, but Peterborough continued to be wasteful in front of goal and ultimately that profligacy probably cost them the win.                                            

Gradually Wigan began to find their stride and with the impressive Methven taking control of things in defence they grew into the encounter. They created the best chances, up to that point’ of the game but Micky Quinn and Jeff Wright both wasted the opportunities by firing wide of the target, and in between Methven saw a powerful header, following a free kick, well saved by the acrobatic Waugh.      

Wigan then got caught on the break by a well-constructed counterattack. Syrett produced a fine turn of pace that left both Methven and Curtis wrong footed and when he squared the ball across goal the incoming GALLAGHER nipped in to head home from close range.        

Suddenly the game opened up and Syrett struck a post with a first time shot, whilst at the other end of the pitch Wright went close with a chance when he really should have done better. Then as half time approached Wright threaded a fine pass through for CORRIGAN who beat the offside trap, drew the keeper, and lobbed his shot into the unguarded net.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 1-1 Peterborough United.                                                                         

Wigan came out with more determination after the break and began to get a grip on proceedings. Corrigan nearly doubled his tally but a last-ditch clearance by a stretched defence denied the score.

Peterborough still had more than their fair share of the ball, but the penetration had gone, and Wigan’s defence now looked to be in charge. With 15 minutes to go Tierney replaced a tiring Urquhart and this change saw Latics forcing the visitors back into defence with a series of concerted attacks and when the final whistle blew it was the visitors who were most relieved to have grabbed a share of the spoils.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 1-1 Peterborough United.

Scorers; Corrigan (45); Gallagher (40).

Attendance; 5,320

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

PETERBOROUGH UNITED ---Waugh (G); Winters, Phillip, Hodgson, Slough; Foster, Quow, Kellock, Gallagher; Cooke, Syrett. SUBS; Guy (for Gallagher).

Referee; Mr. Peter N. Willis (County Durham).