Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION FOUR

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs TRANMERE ROVERS

22^nd March 1980

GOAL DROUGHT PUTS THE SKIDS UNDER PROMOTION PUSH.

On a night when the football did little to raise a cheer the biggest ovation came before kick-off when new directors, Freddie Pye and Bobby Charlton, took their seats in the main stand.

Tranmere arrived at Springfield Park desperate for points as they looked to pull clear of the re-election zone were happy to set out their stall to take home at least a point as they dug deep in the muddy conditions as they attempted to repel all boarders.

Rovers certainly frustrated the Wigan side who were restricted to just a handful of shots at goal. Had one of those half chances found the net then maybe the visitors would have been forced to engage more fully in the contest but whilst the scoreline was blank they were happy to sit deep and soak up the pressure.

Corrigan battled for a loose ball on fifteen minutes and out-muscled Beamish but his snap-shot was blocked by Johnson in the Tranmere goal and Shearer, who was quick to react to the rebound, saw his attempt cleared off the line. Methven also went close with a header following a free-kick but the headed effort was just off target.

The visitors on a rare break nearly grabbed the lead just before the break when midfielder Les Parry fired an effort wide of goal as the advancing Brown closed down the angle.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 0-0 Tranmere Rovers.

After the half-time cuppa it was more of the same fare with Rovers combining rugged defence with the odd foray into the Wigan half.  Fretwell was forced to hurl himself in the way of one low drive but, in truth, Rovers were offering little by way of goal threat.

The 78^th minute saw Urquhart limp from the field and Moore came on as his replacement.

Latics continued to press but the excellent Bramhall and Mathias were simply too efficient in defence, and when the Latics got past the defence they were met with the excellent Dickie Johnson who had a solid game between the sticks.

With time running out Latics produced a moment of excellence that was far from in-keeping with what had gone on before. Corrigan and Wright combined beautifully in midfield and set Houghton into space. The striker fired goalwards and for once Johnson was beaten but the effort thudded against the post and flew away to safety.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 0-0 Tranmere Rovers

Attendance; 5,828

Team; WIGAN—Brown; Fretwell, Whittle, Davids, Methven; Gore, Wright, Corrigan, Urquhart; Houghton, Shearer; SUB; --- Moore (for Urquhart)

TRANMERE ROVERS--- Johnson; Parry, Flood, Bramhall, Edwards; Mungall, O’Neill, Matthias, Kerr; Beamish, Peplow; SUB; --- Lumby

Referee; Mr. Lowe (Sheffield)