Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION FOUR

PORT VALE vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

7^th April 1980

QUICK THINKING DAVE USES HIS HEAD AS TICS GRAB DRAW.

Easter Monday saw Latics travel to Burslem to take on the Valiants.

The game got off to the worst possible start for Latics as after just 39 seconds a hopeful ball into the penalty area by Griffiths saw Davids and Brown both hesitate and on-loan striker SEALY took the chance to nip in and prod the ball home.

Vale quickly piled on more pressure and Latics can consider themselves lucky not to have gone further behind when Bentley headed over with the goal gaping.

Gradually Latics worked their way into the game and their passing game began to find holes in the home defence, such that on 24 minutes Fretwell, who has yet to score in Wigan colours, found space and unleashed a fierce swerving shot that beat Dance and thudded against the cross bar. The loose ball bounced around in the area and SHEARER was first to react as he dove in to head home the leveller.

Wigan were now controlling proceedings as the home side lost that early vim and vigour and it was the away side who looked the more likely scorers.

Half Time; Port Vale 1-1 Wigan Athletic.

The second half was to prove highly frustrating for the Springfield Park devotees as Wigan had nearly all the play and spurned a number of decent chances.

Shearer had a good chance to add to his tally straight after the restart when Keenan lost his footing in midfield and gifted the Wigan man possession. Shearer stepped forward and unleashed a powerful drive that Dance did well to smother.

Wigan had the wind at their backs and a Corrigan in-swinging corner was headed off the line by Beech with Dance beaten.

Vale, who were desperate for points to ease their re-election fears, proved stubborn in defence and the late introduction of Moore as a replacement for Urquhart failed to have the desired effect.

Wigans attacking play clearly missed the pace and directness that the injured Houghton usually provides but they did fashion one late chance when, in the final minute, a loose ball fell to the feet of David Shearer, but his well-placed shot was palmed away by Dance and then hacked to safety by the Valiant’s defence following the ensuing goalmouth scramble.

Full Time; Port Vale 1-1 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; Shearer (24); Sealy (1).

Attendance; 3,812

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

PORT VALE--- Dance; Keenan, Griffiths, Elsby, Harwood; Sprosson, Beech, N. Chamberlain, M. Chamberlain, Sealy, Bentley; SUB; --- Owen (for N. Chamberlain).

Referee; Mr. Kevin McNally (Clwydd)

Latics now find themselves sitting seven points behind fourth placed Portsmouth but with two games in hand.