Report by SJG

CHESHIRE COUNTY LEAGUE

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs ASHTON NATIONAL

 26^th March 1934

WIGAN MOVE A STEP CLOSER AS TITLE RACE HOTS UP.

Two days after a bruising cup encounter with Lancaster Town and Wigan were in action again as they looked to put further pressure on the reigning champions Macclesfield with a home win against Ashton National. The lengthy injury list saw manager Spencer dipping into the reserves to offer a debut to Prosser at fullback and selected Cherry which allowed Cowper to rest and recover more fully from his recent knocks. Wallbanks was moved to left half back with O’Dell taking on the mantle of centre forward.                                                   

The 5.15 pm kick off may have discouraged some spectators but a decent crowd of around 3,000 hardy souls turned out on a Monday evening to watch the game, and they were well rewarded as Wigan produced some quality football that proved too much for their opponents.                                                                    Jimmy Wallbanks may only be at the start of his career, but the 24-year-old showed great maturity with a polished, all-action performance that belied his lack of experience in the new role. Prosser also impressed and added to his list of admirers as he covered in defence well showing pace, skill and determination aplenty.                                                                             

National began the game positively and played some good passing football and it was no surprise when on twenty minutes they grabbed the lead. A hopeful ball was lobbed into the Wigan area and Caunce came off his line to try and punch clear. The ball fell kindly for WHITEHEAD and he was able to loop a header over the stranded keeper and into the unguarded net.                                                                                                                                  

Wigan looked to respond quickly to the set-back with Cherry and O’Dell both going close with well struck shots that struck defenders and gave rise to penalty appeals but neither met with the referee’s approval.                                                                                                       

Daniels in the Ashton goal made a number of timely interventions as the pressure on the visitor’s goal mounted and the seemingly inevitable equaliser arrived on the 40-minute mark. A Robson free-kick found Felton who slipped the ball to O’DELL, and the Wigan player held off the attentions of Sharples before placing a low shot into the corner of the net.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 1-1 Ashton National. 

Latics were quickly onto the front foot after a shortened half-time break. Cherry broke swiftly on the flank and his cross picked out O’Dell whose deft header found FELTON who drove home from 15 yards. Encouraged by this success Wigan turned up the pressure and O’Dell had a first time shot following a corner that passed inches wide of the upright.          

The game was moving swiftly from one end of the pitch to the other and Milligan swung over a cross that seemed to threaten danger until Caunce came out bravely to collect. Wallbanks tried his luck for Latics with a long range shot that had Daniels scampering but it was just off target, and the visitors were able to breathe again. Scott went even closer when he took an early shot that defeated Daniels only to see it glance to safety off the crossbar.   

In the 63^rd minute Wigan extended their advantage, and it was Cherry who again provided the telling cross. Scott got his head to the well delivered ball and found FELTON who bundled the ball home from close range.                                                                      

National tried to respond but Caunce was quickly off his line to deny Sayers by diving bravely at the players feet. Milligan then threaded a fine through ball that seemed to offer Whitehead a scoring opportunity, but Robinson was quickly across to make a fine last-ditch challenge. On 75 minutes Barrass, the National centre-half pulled up with an injury and had to leave the field but despite being a player short the visitors still managed to pose a threat with Milner showing good pace and testing Caunce with a sharp rising shot that the keeper collected well despite pressure from Whitehead.                                                                           

Wigan ended the game on the attack with Felton and Scott going close with shots before a last-minute corner kick was delivered by Cherry and when O’Dell caused problems in the area it allowed the alert SCOTT to fire home and give the scoreline a slightly flattering appearance for the home side.                                        

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 4-1 Ashton National.

Scorers; O’Dell (40), Felton (46), (63), Scott (89); Whitehead (20).

Attendance; 3,000

Team; WIGAN---Caunce; Robinson, Prosser; Anderson, Robson, Wallbanks; Cherry, Snaith, O’Dell, Felton, Scott.

ASHTON NATIONAL ---Daniels; Sharples, Hayden; Hayhurst, Barrass, Strong; Milligan, Chell, Whitehead, Sayers, Milner.

Referee; Mr. J. Ward (Altrincham).