Report by SJG

CHESHIRE COUNTY LEAGUE

PRESCOT CABLES vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

 30^th March 1934

 BIG ‘GOOD FRIDAY’ CROWD SEE BATTLING LATICS GAIN A POINT.

After the disappointment of defeat in the cup semi-final, it was back to the race for the League title for Charlie Spencer’s team on Good Friday. The Easter programme, which sees teams playing three games in just four days often proves decisive and Latics headed to Hope Street hoping to pick up a full six points over that vital period.                                                                                           

Talbot was still struggling to recover from injury, so youngster Prosser retained his place at full back with Wallbanks filling in at centre half and O’Dell leading the line. Cherry returned to the attack and Cowper dropped back into the right half role. The home side was blessed with experience and Ex-Wigan Borough star Harris was selected to lead the attacking line.               

Wigan were quickly forced onto the defensive by the home side, who were cheered on by a fine holiday crowd. Prescot were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Wigan area after Robson was adjudged to have handled. However, when the kick failed to trouble Wigan, they switched play quickly up the field with Robson feeding Scott who released Felton, but his fast shot failed to hit the target. The reprieve was only temporary and on ten minutes Cowper fed the ball down the line to Cherry who linked up with O’Dell and when the ball was then squared it fell to FELTON who was quick to get away a low drive that found the corner of the home goal. The goal seemed to help the visitors to settle into their rhythm and they went after a second goal with Felton and Scott both going close with rising shots and a series of corner kicks causing problems for the Prescot defence. Snaith went close with a flashing header, but the home side also had their moments in attack with Howard and Worrall both testing out Caunce in the Wigan net.                                                                                                                    

On the half hour the home side drew level with a scrappy goal. Robinson badly sliced a clearance that looped up and Worrall was able to out muscle Prosser and take control of the loose ball. He crossed into the area and when Caunce failed to gather it was HOWARD who was the strongest as he bundled the ball home despite the best efforts of a number of defenders.                                                                                                                         

Wigan tried to regain control and Snaith again went close with a low drive, but it squirmed just beyond the far post. Latics continued to press but they could not find the goal that their dominance of the first half probably deserved.

Half Time; Prescot Cables 1-1 Wigan Athletic.

The second half was to prove a different story and Prescot quickly took over control of the game. Worrell found space on the flank and his high cross led to a strong tussle for possession in the box with HOWARD again getting the better of the Wigan defenders and firing past the diving Caunce.                                    Latics tried to push for an equaliser, but Prescot looked highly dangerous on the break and Caunce had to be alert to deal with crosses from the lively Davies and Worrell. Then a well worked set play by the hosts saw Worrall and Howard combining and setting up Harris but the forward wasted the glorious chance by shooting wide.                                                          

With the game entering its final quarter O’Dell brought a good save from Whalley after Cherry, snaith and Felton had linked well. The pressure was mounting on the home defence as Wigan threw bodies forward and in the 79^th minute Latics got their reward.                          

Snaith found Cherry in the wide position and his cross picked out O’Dell, the Wigan skipper calmly played in FELTON who slipped the ball past the advancing Whalley from close range. The remaining minutes saw both sides searching for the decisive goal and the crowd roared loudly as first one side attacked, then the other. Scott, who had been well marshalled throughout the previous minutes produced a moment of magic that saw him drive a shot against the Cables crossbar, then O’Dell forced Whalley to throw himself full length to clear a dangerous situation. The home crowd roared forward their side and Harris found space to unleash a fierce shot, but Caunce was equal to the effort and saved well.                                

When the official, Mr King blew for full time both teams had to settle for a share of the points after a thoroughly entertaining encounter.

Full Time; Prescot Cables 2-2 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; Felton (10), (79); Howard (30), (53).

Attendance; 6.000

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

PRESCOT CABLES. ---Whalley; Spence, Naylor; Carter, Crompton, Roberts; Worrell, Howard, Harris, Goulding, Davies.

Referee; Mr. J. King (Duckenfield)