Report by SJG

LANCASHIRE JUNIOR CUP

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs GREAT HARWOOD

 10^th March 1934

WIGAN IMPRESS AS THEY COAST INTO THE SEMI’S

Wigan made two changes to their starting XI for their quarter final cup encounter with Great Harwood. Charlie Spencer made a rare appearance to replace the injured O’Dell and Cowper returned from injury to reclaim his spot on the wing ahead of the unlucky Hitchen who found himself playing for the Reserve side against Bolton Wanderers A.

Great Harwood were clearly not daunted by Wigan’s impressive home record and from the start they played the game on the front foot as the home side was reduced to fast raids and longer passes in reply. Hargreaves and Titterington linked well for the visitors and only a timely tackle by Talbot averted the danger.

Wigan responded with a quick breakaway that saw Cowper crossing to find Spencer who was playing as the centre forward. Th Latics player-manager took the ball down well but his shot was charged down by Entwistle and the chance was gone.

Great Harwood threatened again and Caunce had to react well to smother a low shot by Dean. Wigan replied with Snaith threading a through ball to set Cowper free but the wing mans first touch was too heavy and with the angle narrowing he was only able to shoot into the side netting.

On 32 minutes the game saw its first goal when Scott and Felton worked the ball well on the left wing before crossing and SPENCER was the first to react and was able to bundle the ball home from close-range.

Two minutes later and more quick thinking by the left sided pair following a throw in saw a deep cross by Scott picking out the late arriving COWPER who slid the ball home.

Wigan were suddenly in complete control and they increased the pressure on the visitors which paid dividends as in the 39^th minute a goalmouth melee ended with FELTON squeezing a shot past Greenhalgh to further increase the advantage.

Most of the crowd now felt that the game was beyond the visitors but a fine glancing header by HARGREAVES which arrived on the stroke of half time following a whipped cross by King gave the visitors renewed hope as they left the field for the half-time break.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 3-1 Great Harwood.

Wigan nearly recorded a fourth goal straight after the restart when a free-kick, awarded for a foul on Spencer was floated into the box by Snaith and Scott bundled the ball home. The referee, after consulting with the linesman ruled out the effort for handball.

Wigan’s pressure relented when Wallbanks had to leave the field for treatment to a bad injury and with the side reduced in numbers for 15 minutes the visitors tried to take advantage and further reduce the arrears. Latics defence stood firm and with Talbot and Robinson impressing with resolute defensive work the period passed without any undue alarms.

On 67 minutes Spencer won a long ball and when he nodded the ball into the path of SCOTT the livewire Tic burst forwards with a fine dribble and as the keeper advanced he slid the ball home.

SCOTT really has found his goal-scoring touch of late and has netted in the previous five games so it was no surprise when, with the clock running down, he broke free on the wing and struck an angled shot that made light of the difficult position as it flew unerringly into the net.

Great Harwood fought bravely until the final whistle blew but without further reward and Latics march onwards in the cup and will have a home tie in the semi-final against Lancaster Town.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 5-1 Great Harwood.

Scorers; Spencer (32), Cowper (34), Felton (39), Scott (67), (80); Hargreaves (45+1);

Attendance; 2,806

Team; WIGAN---Caunce; Robinson, Talbot; Anderson, Wallbanks, Robson; Cowper, Snaith, Spencer, Felton, Scott;

GREAT HARWOOD---Greenhalgh; Entwistle, Smith; Wroe, Rhodes, Bunyan; King, Titterington, Dean, Hargreaves, Shaw;

Referee; Mr. W. Booth (Preston).