Report by SJG

CHESHIRE COUNTY LEAGUE

RUNCORN vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

 1^st January 1934

HARD FOUGHT, BUT IT’S A HAPPY NEW YEAR FOR LATICS.

Injuries sustained to first team regulars at Mossley saw George O’Dell and Lewis Caunce sitting out the game as the manager Charlie Spencer was forced to make a number of changes to the starting XI.

William Jones (goalkeeper) who had been playing for the reserves in recent weeks stepped up to join the seniors for his first team debut. Youngster Stan Bentham made his second appearance in the forward line with Snaith dropping into a deeper role. The visitors Runcorn came into the game on the back of five straight wins and their confidence was clearly visible in the assured way that they approached the contest which was played in far from ideal conditions with a bitterly cold biting wind adding to a greasy playing surface.

Runcorn began well and debutant Jones was quickly called into action as he made a good save as he dealt with a low shot by Nelson. The home side continued to apply pressure and Ascroft crashed a drive against the crossbar and when the ball rebounded into the box Robinson did well to tidy up a dangerous situation and clear the threat. As the game progressed Latics gradually settled into the game and when Kavanagh and Cowper linked up to good effect it took a sliding last-second interception from Peacock to divert the final shot wide of the home goal.

Wigan were now finding their passing game and after a neat move which involved Kavanagh, Felton and Scott the Runcorn defender Heyes found himself out of position and Felton was able to slip in Jones but his fierce shot flew over the bar. Runcorn relied on a more direct game style but it nearly bore fruit when Nelson skipped in off his wing and let fly at goal, only to be denied by a diving intervention by Jones.

Greatrex, in the home goal, who had plied his trade for Wrexham and New Brighton in the football league was the busier of the two keepers and saved well with his feet to deny Jones before producing a last-minute grab to collect a Felton header just before it crossed the line.

Scott produced a rasping drive that Greatrex saved with excellent handling. As the half hour mark approached Wigan suffered a blow as Snaith had to be helped off the field following a lunging tackle and he had to have extended treatment before he was able to return to the game just before the half time break.

While Wigan were down to ten men The home side pushed hard for the opening goal and following a corner Vaughan missed a glorious chance when he fired wide when well placed.

On 43 minutes Bentham found Felton inside the Runcorn area and despite heavy pressure he fired in a shot that could only be partially blocked and JONES was on hand to fire home the rebound.

Runcorn responded a minute later when Bentham was adjudged to have handled and TAYLOR blasted home the resulting free-kick through a ruck of bodies and past the unsighted Jones in the Wigan goal.

Half Time; Runcorn 1-1 Wigan Athletic.

Having scored a minute before the break the home side nearly repeated the feat a minute after the restart, Nelson and Ascroft linked up nicely and found Vaughan who beat Jones with a first time shot only for the ball to strike the upright and bounce to safety.

Wigan bounced back on to the offensive and when Peacock misjudged a high ball Jones collected and headed in on goal only to be fouled by the desperate full back has he dashed back to try and recover. Jones, after treatment, picked himself up but the resulting free kick was wasted. Another free-kick for Wigan found Bentham in space but he delayed in taking his shot and the defence was able to block the effort.

Good passing play by Felton, Jones and Scott saw the winger fire in a fine shot but Greatrex produced a stunning diving save to keep the scores level.

The game was moving swiftly from end to end with both teams producing some fine passages of play.  Cowper flashed a headed effort narrowly wide and then Nelson produced a teasing cross that Jones was unable to collect but Vaughan snatched at the resulting chance and missed the target.

On 70 minutes a Robson clearance found Jones who was able to swing a pass out to SCOTT who produced a fine turn of pace to outwit his marker before unleashing a sweet shot that flew past the stranded keeper and struck the inside of the post before entering the net. A stunning effort that was worthy of winning any game.

As the light began to fail and the final whistle approached Runcorn threw men forward to try and grab a goal but Robinson produced some fine defensive work to deny Taylor a second goal from a free-kick with an excellent clearance.

Latics nearly notched a third goal as Bentham and Scott linked well before setting Jones into space, but the striker pulled his shot wide of the goal.

Full Time; Runcorn 1-2 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; Jones (43), Scott (70); Taylor (44);

Attendance; 2,500

Team; WIGAN---W. Jones; Robinson, Talbot; Kavanagh, Snaith, Robson; Cowper, Bentham, Jones, Felton, Scott;

RUNCORN--- Greatrex; Heyes, Peacock; Foxley, Hill, Appleton; Nelson, Broom, Vaughan, Taylor, Ascroft;

Referee; Mr. F. Bottams (Altrincham)

Elsewhere the league leaders Macclesfield fell to a 6-3 defeat at Stalybridge Celtic which allowed Latics to move within two points of the table toppers.