Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION THREE

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs HULL CITY

3^rd April 1993

NEW BOY IS MADE OF THE RIGHT STUFF

Winston White enjoyed a dream home debut against a badly out of form Hull City side which had lost three in their last four league outings and headed to Springfield Park sitting in 17^th place in the table and just three points above the final relegation place. Latics however, were keen to build on their injury time away win at Leyton Orient as they looked to try and pull themselves out of the drop zone.                              

Caretaker boss Dave Phillpotts made only one change to the starting XI and that was enforced with Alan Johnson coming in for the injured Kevin Langley. Wigan began brightly and were handed the opening goal in the eighth minute when Hull keeper Steve Wilson failed to collect a Brian Griffiths corner and when he fumbled the ball looped kindly to WHITE who produced a fine overhead kick to score from a tight angle.                                                

Wigan looked confident on the ball and after good link up play down the left with Daley, Tankard and Griffiths all involved a deep cross was headed back across goal for White to bundle home. However, on this occasion the linesman raised his flag to deny the hosts.                                       

Just after the half hour mark more good work down the left ended with Pilling finding Tankard with time and space and his deep diagonal ball found the head of Daley and he nodded down for WHITE, who timed his move perfectly and slotted home for his and Wigans second goal. Five minutes later and White nearly returned the favour as he headed a Griffiths cross back for Daley who looped a header narrowly wide.    

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 2-0 Hull City.

Hull City began the second half with more purpose and their increased energy levels saw them make space for Windass who shot from distance, but his effort flew over the home goal.                                                                                                                                           

Wigan were now sitting deeper and relying on counter attacks and these looked dangerous with White forcing a save with a low effort from twenty-five yards and then Andy Pilling nearly getting a long leg on a low cross from the right by White.                                              

The height of Daley, Johnson, Garnett and Skipper was causing all sorts of trouble for the Tigers, and when a Griffiths corner was met by Daley, he really should have scored but his effort clipped the crossbar and flew over.                                                                                       

Brian Griffiths then wasted a chance when through on goal as he blazed his shot wildly over after Skipper had won a powerful header to set him clear on goal.                                          

With time running out Wigan produced a well worked short corner that saw a near post cross finding Skipper and Daley in space, but both players only succeeded in getting in each other’s way as the ball dribbled wide.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 2-0 Hull City.

Scorers; W. White (8), (32).

Attendance; 1,872

Team; WIGAN ATHLETIC—Adkins, Appleton, Tankard, Johnson, Garnett, Skipper, Jones, Pilling, Daley, White, Griffiths. Subs—Powell (for Pilling), Robertson.

HULL CITY --- Wilson; Norton, Hobson, Mail, Wilcox; Abbott, Brown, Atkinson, Warren; Hunter, Windass. Subs—France (for Atkinson), Allison (for Hobson).

Referee; Mr. J.W.L. Lloyd (Wrexham)