Report by SJG

CHESHIRE COUNTY LEAGUE

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs HURST F. C.

 17^th March 1934

WALLBANKS BRACE ENSURES WIGAN RETURN TO WINNING WAYS.

After Wigans disappointing cup exit against Runcorn two changes were made to the starting XI for the following game, a league match against a Hurst side that had produced some impressive recent results against top sides and would be sure to provide a stern test. In came new signing James Cherry to replace Harvey and O’Dell returned from injury to replace Snaith. With O’Dell restored to the defence Wallbanks was moved forward to take on the centre forward role and he clearly relished the change as he netted twice for the home side.

It was quickly apparent once the game commenced that the slippery conditions would play a major role in the afternoons events as both sides found it difficult to maintain their footing. Wigan made good early progress on their left wing and Scott delivered a number of dangerous crosses into the visitors box with Cherry going close to applying a telling touch with his head. Reddett in the Hurst defence produced excellent work to deny Wallbanks and keep the scores level and in the 28^th minute, and against the run of play, HEAP outmuscled his marker to bundle home a cross by Slater.

Wigan responded well to the setback and Cherry perhaps should have done better with an opportunity that arose when Wallbanks caused problems in the Hurst defence. Hurst still looked lively and could have doubled their lead when Halliday fed Slater into space but with just the keeper to beat the winger saw Caunce quickly advancing from his line and the rushed shot deflected wide of the target.

Scott continued to be the main threat for the Latics and his driven cross somehow evaded the on-rushing Wallbanks before a neat dribble by Hitchen opened the Hurst defence and only a last second intervention by Lloyd denied a goal.

On the forty-minute mark a deft lobbed cross by Cherry picked out WALLBANKS and the striker directed his header beyond Gregory in the Hurst goal to record the equaliser that Wigan’s dominance fully deserved.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 1-1 Hurst F. C.

Wigan kept up the pressure after the half-time break and on 55 minutes a free-kick by Cherry resulted in FELTON scoring with a fast shot from close range.

The visitors were far from finished and went close to equalising when a long shot evaded the Wigan defence but the ball was slowed by the muddy conditions and this allowed Caunce to scramble across his goal and save by the foot of his post.

Wallbanks spurned a golden chance to extend the home sides lead when he raced clear as the Hurst defence appealed in vain for an offside decision. The Wigan man unleashed a shot but it flew wildly over the crossbar.

In the 63^rd minute Wallbanks made amends for the earlier miss. Hitchin played the Wigan striker through and he played a pass out to Scott on the wing. Scott fired in a cross and when Gregory was unable to do much more than palm the ball out it was WALLBANKS who was first to react and he fired home.

The game now looked beyond the Hurst team who continued to toil as they sought a route back into the fixture. It was Wigan who looked the more dangerous with Wallbanks, Felton and Scott all testing Gregory who produced a number of excellent stops.

The steady rain that had accompanied most of the game gave way to a deluge and as the final whistle approached Slater saw his speculative long shot bounce clear off the Wigan crossbar.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 3-1 Hurst F. C.

Scorers; Wallbanks (40), (63), Felton (55); Heap (28).

Attendance; 4,000

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

HURST---Gregory; Readett, Lloyd, Eyre, Pringle, Finney; Slater, Heap, Halliday, Morris, Blair;

Referee; Mr. H. Holt (Rochdale).