Wigan Athletic 1 York City 0 - Wednesday 29th October 1980

Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION FOUR

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs YORK CITY

29^th October 1980

YOUNGSTERS SHINE AS WIGAN FINALLY GRAB A WIN.

This was a slender win against the struggling Minstermen, but it was very welcome as it saw Latics jump six places up the table. The fans who turned up saw another Jekyll and Hyde display from the Latics who continue to perform at a level that is well below their best.            

In the first 45 minutes Wigan looked impressive and surged forward in numbers at every opportunity and looked certain to run up a decent goal tally against A poor York City side that somehow got to the break having only conceded the single goal.             

The goal arrived on 19 minutes when Wright did well to set up URQUHART who nipped in from the left to slip the ball home past the York City custodian from close range.                             

The players who really impressed were the youngsters, Mike Quinn continues to improve with every game he plays and can consider himself unlucky not to have scored. Seventeen-year-old Dave Glenn was a constant threat with powerful forward runs and on the half hour one such burst saw him race clear, but his fierce drive crashed against a post and bounced to safety.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 1-0 York City.

The second half was a different story as the midfield trio of Wright, Urquhart and Corrigan failed to get control of the game and never rediscovered that sparkle and attacking edge that had characterised the first period. York began to grow in the game, and it was largely thanks to the excellent David Fretwell, who deputised for the injured Davids, and an improving Brian Kettle that the lead stayed intact. On 75 minutes a tiring Corrigan, who was still clearly carrying a knock, was replaced by striker Jim Oliver. The change had an instant impact and Quinn outpaced Blackburn onto a through ball but lobbed his effort narrowly wide. Quinn went close again in injury time with a fierce dipping volley from a virtually impossible angle. In between times Glenn made space for himself with a good attacking run, but his shot found the side netting.                                                                                                          

York had their moments as well and should have equalised, McDonald was unlucky to see Urquhart block a header on the line and should have done better with a golden chance a few moments later, but he blazed over from six yards out when it looked easier to score. The referee was lenient throughout the game and let several heavy challenges go unpunished, none more so than a hefty bodycheck that sent Oliver flying in the box

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 1-0 York City.

Scorers; Urquhart (19);

Attendance; 3,668

Team; WIGAN—Ward (G); Curtis, Kettle, Methven, Fretwell; Urquhart, Wright, Corrigan, Glenn; Hutchinson, M. Quinn; SUBS; Oliver (for Corrigan).

YORK CITY ---Blackburn (G); Hood, Kay, Smith, Clements; Craig, Walsh, Byrne, McDonald; Eccles, Millar. SUBS; Ford (for Smith).

Referee; Mr. Micheal G. Peck (Kendal).

The win saw Latics rise to 13^th spot in the table with a game in hand on most of the teams above them.

Wigan were also busy in the transfer market signing Alex Cribley on a short-term contract after his release by Liverpool. With Davids injured the acquisition is certainly a shrewd piece of business by manager Ian McNeill.