Report by SJG

LANCASHIRE JUNIOR CUP

LANCASTER TOWN vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

 28^th March 1934

SEVEN GOAL THRILLER AT THE GIANT AXE

Two days after a tough league match with Ashton National Latics found themselves in action again. This time it was a cup semi-final replay at The Giant Axe in Lancaster. Latics made one change to their starting XI with Cowper returning to replace Cherry, who must consider himself unlucky to miss out after a fine performance in the previous game. Wallbanks was selected to play in defence with Prosser being listed to lead the attack.       

The game began under blue skies in bright sunshine, and it was Latics, who, aided by a breeze, went quickly in search of a goal. Lancaster responded well and Caunce had to punch clear good early crosses by Nisbet and Roscoe.                                                                          

The first goal arrived after just four minutes when a through ball by Grass found Heaton, who was to prove a handful throughout the game, and his low cross across the face of goal was met by BADGER who stooped to head home.                                                              

Latics responded promptly and were back level just four minutes later when FELTON was in the right place to fire home.  Wigan could and should have built on this goal as Snaith lobbed an effort against the Town crossbar and Scott fired wide when he really should have scored. Caunce was called upon to make a smart save to keep out an effort by the hosts, but it was youngster PROSSER who gave Latics the lead when he produced a fine low drive from fully 20 yards that flew into the home goal.                                                                                

The Dolly Blues, a nickname taken from the dolly blue washing tablets that were manufactured and were the same colour as the kit, struck back well. Nisbet missed a glorious chance when Caunce flapped at a cross under pressure from Roscoe, but the reprieve was a short one as PATRICK hooked the ball home on 27 minutes after Caunce had done well to push away an effort by Badger.                                                                                

The game was an all-action affair and SCOTT broke free of the Lancaster defence on 29 minutes before firing home to restore Wigan’s slender lead which they held onto until the break. Scott did have a further chance before the half-time whistle but fired just wide and Robinson at the other end was well placed following a Lancaster raid and was able to hook the ball off the goal-line to stop an equaliser.

Half Time; Lancaster Town 2-3 Wigan Athletic.

Lancaster were quick to get back onto level terms after the break with GRASS getting on the end of a well delivered corner kick from Heaton (pictured left) and heading powerfully home. The home winger was starting to find lots of space and when he checked inside past O’Dell, he flighted another delightful ball into the area and ROSCOE (pictured right) swivelled to hook home with a first-time shot.                                

Wigan tried to respond with Wallbanks and Prosser swapping positions, but it was still the home side who looked the more dangerous and Caunce did well to produce a diving stop to divert a Nisbet volley away from goal.                                                                        

With time running out the Wigan attacks became more frantic, and Scott produced a fast rising shot that tested the reflexes of Harrison in the Lancaster net. However, as Wigan threw bodies forward in pursuit of the leveller gaps started to appear in defence and Roscoe was presented with a fine opportunity to put the game to bed but the font man failed to hit the target.                  

Wigan tried everything they knew and Wallbanks produced a hefty challenge on Harrison as he tried to bundle the keeper and the ball over the line.                                                             

One final chance arose in injury time with Felton finding enough space to fire in a dipping shot but Harrison was alert and produced the required save to ensure that it would be the Dolly Blues and not the Latics who would progress to the final to take on Chorley.

Full Time; Lancaster Town 4-3 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; Felton (8), Prosser (22), Scott (29); Badger (4), Patrick (27), Grass (46), Roscoe (53).

Attendance; 2,000

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

LANCASTER TOWN. ---Harrison; Mercer, Gardiner, Grass, Rayner, Edmundson; Heaton, Patrick, Roscoe, Nisbet, Badger.

Referee; Mr. I. Caswell (Blackburn).