Report by SJG

CHESHIRE COUNTY LEAGUE

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs PRESCOT CABLES

 2^nd April 1934

A HARD-WON VICTORY CONSOLIDATES LEAGUE POSITION.

Latics went into this game sat proudly at the top of the division and the Wigan public turned out in big numbers to cheer on their side in what was sure to be a difficult game against the team that had upset the odds and beaten previous leaders Macclesfield Town just two days previously.                                                   

Charlie Spencer was forced to make some changes with Cowper dropping into defence to replace Anderson and Hitchen being drafted into the squad to supplement the attacking line.                                                                                                                                        

Wigan lost the toss and were forced to play into the prevailing wind in the first period. Goulding had the first real effort of the game in the second minute when he brought the very best out of Caunce who was forced to dive full length to push the shot to safety. Latics struck back and Scott tried a flighted lobbed effort that Whalley back-pedalled well to collect on the goal-line. Cherry then produced a whipped cross that Whalley misjudged, and the ball found Felton, but the keeper did well to recover to deny the Wigan forward.                            

On twenty minutes Latics took the lead when SNAITH produced a fine dribble that took him past his marker before firing home.                                                                                     

Cherry came close to adding a second goal, but his shot passed just the wrong side of the upright, then Prescot went close again when Goulding sent in a swerving shot that beat Caunce before striking the crossbar.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 1-0 Prescot Cables

The second period continued apace with chances at both ends of the field. Snaith nearly doubled his tally when he latched onto a pass by Cherry, but the woodwork was again in the way. Prescot were upping the tempo and Latics were increasingly having to rely on their defence and keeper to keep the lead intact. A deep cross by Davies found Worrell arriving late in the box but his diving header was just off target.                                                      

The crowd were becoming increasingly anxious but on 79 minutes the nerves were soothed when a perfect cross by Cherry found the head of SNAITH who nodded the ball home. Prescot now threw everything forward and Harris saw his shot from close-range well saved by Caunce. Gaps were now appearing in the Cables defence with Snaith and Hitchen both going close before, in the dying minutes, SCOTT broke free and from a tight angle he fired across the face of goal with the shot striking the inside of the far post before finding the back of the net.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 3-0 Prescot Cables.

Scorers; Snaith (20), (79), Scott (87).

Attendance; 8,000

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

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

Referee; Mr. W. Dodd (Birkenhead)