Report by SJG

CHESHIRE LEAGUE CUP

RUNCORN vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

 14^th March 1934

WIGAN CRASH OUT OF CUP AS LATE SHOW SEES RUNCORN TRIUMPH.

On a sodden pitch and in atrocious weather, after an impressive run of eleven straight wins in all competitions, the wheels finally came off the bandwagon at Canal Street.

With O’Dell not fully recovered from injury a debut was awarded to William Harvey who had previously represented Barnsley and had impressed in two recent outings for the reserve team. The move looked inspired when, in the 16^th minute, HARVEY arrived at the perfect moment to head home a Scott cross just beyond Ken Greatrex (pictured below) in the home goal to hand Latics an early lead.                            

The opening quarter of an hour had not been short on incident. Both sides were opting for a very direct approach as the conditions made a passing game difficult to execute. Scott sent a header narrowly wide and then, following neat work by Felton, he forced Greatrex into a diving save when his drive was turned behind for a corner kick. A shot by Hannerby was nearly turned home by the stretching Broome and Caunce did well to save from a dipping effort by Valentine.                        

A Scott free-kick saw Greatrex parrying the ball into the air and Wallbanks nearly took advantage as he headed goalwards, but the home keeper, under heavy pressure from Snaith, did well to diffuse the threat.                                     

Once Latics had gained the lead it was then Runcorn became more active in attack and only good work by Talbot averted an instant equaliser. Then on the half hour a fast raid down the Runcorn right ended with a low cross to the far post and ASCROFT was on hand to drive home.

Wigan responded and Felton found himself one-on-one with the home keeper who produced a fine diving save to deny the forward. On 37 minutes a Latics corner was only partially cleared and SCOTT fired home through a sea of bodies from the edge of the penalty area.                                                                                                                                  

Wigan would have hoped to hold the lead at the interval, but another Runcorn foray saw Valentine crossing for VAUGHAN to fire a low snap-shot into the corner of the net.

Half Time; Runcorn 2-2 Wigan Athletic.

The torrential rain and failing light saw both sides opt to change ends and fore-go the allotted half time break.                                                                                             

Runcorn began briskly as they attacked down the slope and Taylor collected a through ball and looked certain to score until Talbot produced a fine recovery tackle. Wigan responded and a Scott cross found Snaith who diverted the ball goalwards but Hayes was able to get a vital deflection to carry the ball wide. Back came the home side with Broome denied by a brave diving stop from Caunce as he looked to force the ball home.                                

More chances followed as Foxley shot narrowly wide after a well-worked free-kick, then as the light began to fail another attack by the home side saw a loose ball fall to BROOME at the edge of the box and he swept his shot into the Wigan net.                                              

Latics threw men forward as they looked to level up the scores but a fast break saw a contentious corner awarded to the hosts and the deep cross picked out VALENTINE who was able to put the result beyond doubt.

Runcorn were not able to progress much beyond this stage and the final saw Hyde United record a 4-2 victory against Stockport County Reserves.

Full Time; Runcorn 4-2 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; Harvey (16), Scott (37); Ascroft (30), Vaughan (39), Broome (80), Valentine (85).

Attendance; 2,000

Team; WIGAN---Caunce; Robinson, Talbot; Anderson, Wallbanks, Robson; Harvey, Hitchen, Snaith, Felton, Scott;

RUNCORN---Greatrex; Peacock, Hayes; Foxley, Hill, Hannaby; Valentine, Broome, Vaughan, Taylor, Ascroft;

Referee; Mr. G. A. Nixon (Manchester).