Report by SJG

LANCASHIRE JUNIOR CUP

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs LANCASTER TOWN

 24^th March 1934

WIGAN LET CHANCES GO BEGGING.

With Hitchen and Cherry both cup-tied Latics were forced into making two changes to their starting line-up. In came Peter Cowper and John Snaith, two experienced players with plenty of game time under their belts.

A decent crowd of 4,357 patrons paid over £144 5s 8d in gate receipts to watch the match. The game, unfortunately for the paying public, struggled to reach any heights as Wigan found it difficult to get into their normally smooth passing game. Lancaster, for their part, passed the ball fluently but without really venturing forward and this resulted in something of a stalemate.                                                                                                                     

After half an hour of scrappy play, Wigan finally began to find some rhythm, but they then suffered a major set back as Talbot sustained an ankle injury that saw him exit the game for five minutes of intensive treatment. When Talbot finally returned he was severely restricted and had to be moved out to the wing as he was little more than a passenger.

The loss in defence was mitigated as Wallbanks was able to drop into a defensive role, but in attack the loss was far more significant.  Scott moved into the centre forward position but his lack of height did restrict the attacking options. Latics still carried the greater threat and it was the visiting keeper, Harrison, who was by far the busier of the two custodians.

Lancaster had shown in their recent F A Cup run that they were a strong defensive unit and with Grass and his fellow defenders not shirking any physical challenge they proved a difficult barrier to penetrate.

The first half saw a series of half-chances created by both teams, Snaith fired just over following a cross by Scott then Lancaster, who had good speed in their attacks, went close with Heaton providing Roscoe with a shooting chance that only good brave defensive work by Robinson and Robson denied.                                

Cowper had a good opportunity following link up play with Felton and Scott but he rushed his shot and the excellent Harrison made a strong save.                                                       

Heaton continued to show fine trickery on the wing and another speedy run ended with a whipped cross that found the head of Roscoe who glanced an effort just beyond the goal.

Chances continued to come and go, first Snaith flashed a shot that flew right across the face of goal, then Scott saw a goal-bound effort palmed to safety by Harrison. Lancaster then spurned the best chance of the game when Caunce flapped at another Heaton cross and the ball fell kindly to the feet of Nisbet who, with the goal at his mercy, blazed his effort over the bar.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 0-0 Lancaster Town.      

Lancaster went close in the opening minutes of the second half with Roscoe  outjumping his marker and looping a header just over.                

Wigan responded and Scott saw a shot pass inches past the post after O’Dell and Cowper had linked up to create a shooting opportunity.                          

Caunce then came to Wigan’s rescue when he saved superbly from point-blank range to deny Roscoe and when the ball ran loose Badger fired wide of the un-manned goal.                              

Despite the handicap of Talbot’s injury it was Wigan who were now making all the running, Harrison was forced to make a number of good saves as he blocked efforts from O’Dell, Cowper and Felton.

A melee in the area saw an effort by Felton strike the hand of Simms, but the referee turned away the appeals and waved play-on.           

The game continued to be keenly contested and a clash of heads saw Anderson and Nisbet both receiving extended treatment.

Then in the 85^th minute a high-flying boot caught the unfortunate O’ Dell who was left with concussion and took no further part in the game.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 0-0 Lancaster Town.

Attendance; 4,357

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

LANCASTER TOWN.---Harrison; Simms, Gardiner, Grass, Rayner, Edmundson; Heaton, Rimmer, Roscoe, Nisbet, Badger;

Referee; Mr. G. R. Hargreaves (Preston).