Report by SJG

CHESHIRE COUNTY LEAGUE

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs CREWE ALEXANDRA

 24^th February 1934

FULL POINTS FROM A POOR GAME AS LATICS MARCH ON.

Wigan fielded an unchanged XI and started with the same line-up that had defended so gallantly at Edgeley Park to defeat the League leaders to end their impressive home run. The crowd was down on the usual numbers and this was largely attributed to the rival attraction of a Rugby League Challenge Cup game against York being scheduled for the same kick-off time.

Those who turned out at Springfield Park saw Latics extend their 100% home record with relative ease and it was only fine performances from the Crewe full-backs, Maddock and Pringle that kept the score down.

  Wigan quickly grabbed control of the game and after Scott had an effort struck off for offside it was Snaith who forced the first save of the afternoon when he struck a long-range dipping shot that Johnson was forced to collect.

Wallbanks was looking lively on his home debut and his link up play with Scott and Felton was stretching the Crewe defence and on 15 minutes another neat interchange saw Scott firing home, only for the linesman to again rule the score off for a perceived offside transgression.

Wigan continued to press and on 24 minutes they got the goal that their efforts deserved. O’Dell got his head to a set play and sent in a forceful effort that bounced just in front of Johnson in the visitor’s goal. The keeper failed to collect the ball cleanly and his fisted clearance fell to FELTON who fired home through a ruck of defenders.

With the score now in Wigans favour the home side tended to sit back and concentrate on ball retention and this allowed Crew to finally settle into the game with Ashworth trying his luck with dipping shots from distance on two separate occasions, but on each occasion Caunce was able to collect with relative ease.

Then just before the break Butler let fly with another ranged effort but this one swerved in flight and Caunce had to go full length to make a good save.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 1-0 Crewe Alexandra Reserves.

Wigan missed an early chance to stretch their lead when Scott miskicked in front of goal but the nippy winger was able to make amends in the 53^rd minute when O’Dell broke forward and slipped a neat ball out wide for SCOTT to take in his stride before flashing a drive beyond Johnson and into the visitor’s net.

The goal seemed likely to open the floodgates as Crewe, who suddenly had to try and be more attacking in their play. Started to leave more gaps in their defensive line. Cowper was the first to make use of the extra space but his low, whipped cross was just beyond the outstretched boot of Wallbanks and was scrambled to safety.

Wallbanks went close again, this time forcing Johnson into a smart save after he got a deft head onto a cross by the influential Snaith.

Wigan were now dominating the game but a heavy shower had made the surface slippy and neither side seemed able to adapt to the changed conditions.

Wallbanks fired in a shot but it was always going over and Johnson was able to watch the effort pass harmlessly by. Then Cowper had a gilt-edged chance to add to the score when Johnson came for a cross and failed to collect but he delayed his shot and Morris was able to get back in on the cover to clear the danger.

In the end the two goals proved to more than enough as Crewe were simply unable to find any forward momentum as the home defence, which again was well marshalled by Robson, was proving far too strong.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 2-0 Crewe Alexandra Reserves.

Scorers; Felton (24), Scott (53);

Attendance; 3,500

Team; WIGAN---Caunce; Robinson, Talbot; Anderson, O’Dell, Robson; Cowper, Snaith, Wallbanks, Felton, Scott;

CREWE ALEXANDRA---Johnson; Pringle, Maddock; Rosson, Dixon, Morris; Ashworth, Anstiss, Hills, Butler, Bracegirdle;

Referee; Mr. F. N. Roberts (Liverpool)

Elsewhere Stockport County fell to defeat against Runcorn with the home side recording a 2-1 win and this allowed Latics to climb above the Edgeley Park outfit into second spot as the race for the title began to approach its conclusion.