Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION FOUR

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs PETERBOROUGH UNITED

5^th April 1980

LATICS ‘HOLD ON TIGHT TO THEIR DREAMS’

In 1981 the ‘Electric Light Orchestra’ would have a big hit with a record entitled ‘Hold on tight to your dreams’ perhaps it was based on this determined, if somewhat dour, performance as Latics dug deep to gain a win that keeps their dwindling promotion hopes alive.

David Shearer returned to replace Tony Quinn in the starting XI with Derek Brownbill being named as substitute and after the disappointing loss to Crewe it was win or bust for the Wigan side as they entertained fellow promotion contenders Peterborough United.

A good Easter Saturday crowd of 6,094 were hoping that all memories of the previous game could be banished, but for long periods it was far from promotion fare and it took a late 88^th minute scrambled effort by Methven to claim the spoils.

Peterborough with seven wins and a draw in their last eight league outings did little to impress and the first half saw both sides cancelling each other out.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 0-0 Peterborough United.

While Jeff Wright, who is enduring a bad patch of form, attracted the crowds ire, it was loan forward David Shearer who was earning their praise with a display of tireless running and harrying and his efforts earned the breakthrough. He chased what seemed a lost cause and somehow got a toe to the ball before keeper Waugh who was adjudged to have brought him down. GORE, dependable as ever from the spot, fired home his 11^th goal of the season from the resulting penalty kick.

United responded instantly and two minutes later SYRETT ghosted into the Wigan area and fired home past the flat-footed Brown.

Houghton, who was clearly carrying an injury, made way for substitute Derek Brownbill but he found it difficult to create any meaningful impact and the game seemed to meandering to a draw. Then in the 88^th minute Latics made, what was probably, one final foray into the Peterborough half and when Fretwell drove in a low cross-cum-shot and METHVEN was on hand to turn the ball home.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 2-1 Peterborough United.

Scorers; Gore (62, pen), Methven (88); Syrett (64).

Attendance; 6,094

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

PETERBOROUGH UNITED--- Waugh; McVay, Phillips, Chard, Slough; Foster, Robson, Kellock, Cliss; Syrett, Gynn; SUB; --- Guy

Referee; Mr. Ken Redfearn (Whitley Bay)