Report by SJG

CHESHIRE COUNTY LEAGUE

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs HYDE UNITED

 6^th January 1934

LATICS DISH OUT A FIVE STAR ‘HYDE-ING’

Latics had a point to prove after their 4-0 defeat in the reverse fixture back in early November and they certainly went about setting the record straight in fine style on a cold and windy January afternoon at Springfield Park.

Wigan had the strong wind at their backs in the first half but whilst they dominated possession and territory they struggled to force the Hyde keeper to make a save due to wayward shooting. Hyde actually mustered the first shot on goal for either side when Caunce, who had returned to the starting XI after injury, was called upon to collect a well struck drive by Bullock. Wigan’s closest moment in the early exchanges came when Scott raced forward and fizzed a low cross across the face of the goal but Jones and his fellow strikers failed to get the vital scoring touch.

On 27 minutes Wigan grabbed the lead when Ambrose fumbled a free-kick by Scott and the ball fell invitingly to JONES who bundled the ball home.  Two minutes later and Jones went close again but Ambrose saved well at the foot of his near post. Manifold had cause to be grateful for his keeper’s fine reflexes when he misjudged a cross and his attempt at a clearance saw his header looping towards his own goal until Ambrose came to the rescue. On 40 minutes Wigan doubled their lead when FELTON found the corner of the goal with a fast shot that gave Ambrose no chance.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 2-0 Hyde United.

Wigan began the second period in the lively fashion that had earmarked the first and when Talbot played in Jones the striker was only thwarted by Ambrose who rushed from his goal to block the goal-bound effort with his spreadeagled body. The pressure continued to mount on the Hyde defence as Felton miskicked when well placed following a corner, then Cowper got the better of Izon to create a good opportunity before missing the target with his rushed shot at goal.

A corner for the visitors nearly saw them getting back into the game but Bullock could only divert the cross against the Wigan post and the defence was able to scramble the ball to safety.

Wigan continued to look dangerous on transition and when Talbot broke up another Hyde attack the quick transfer of the ball from Felton to Scott to Jones to Cowper saw another opportunity wasted as the final shot was too high to trouble the keeper.

Hyde were still very much in the game and wasted a golden chance when Caunce tried to clear a dangerous cross but found himself baulked by his own defenders which allowed the ball to fall to Bullock. The forward rolled the ball toward the open net but Robinson somehow got back to clear the ball before it could register on the scoresheet.

Jones went close for Latics after good work from O’Dell and Scott but Ambrose was equal to the effort as he made a fine double save.

The final fifteen minutes saw Wigan finally pull clear on the scoreboard as SCOTT outpaced Manifold and lashed a drive past Ambrose, and three minutes later BENTHAM found himself with an open goal following a melee and fired home from close-range.

A twenty-yard blockbuster of a drive by BULLOCK, the ex-Chesterfield man, was little more than consolation for the visitors and JONES grabbed a fifth for the home side as time began to run-out.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 5-1 Hyde United.

Scorers; Jones (27), (87), Scott (75), Felton (40), Bentham (78); Bullock (83);

Attendance; 5,000

Team; WIGAN---Caunce; Robinson, Talbot; Kavanagh, O'Dell, Robson; Cowper, Bentham, Jones, Felton, Scott;

HYDE UNITED--- Ambrose; Manifold, Izon; Leech, Burridge, Marland; Jones, Robinson, Bullock, Halliday, Kerrs;

Referee; Mr. J. Ackers (Crewe)