Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION FOUR

HARTLEPOOL UNITED vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

15^th April 1980

TIME RUNNING OUT ON PROMOTION PUSH.

‘Win at all costs’ was the requirement as Latics headed up to the Nort East coast to take on a Hartlepool United side that had little else to play for but pride. The hosts were sat safely in mid-table in a game as they headed into this clash that had been re-arranged following a postponement from early October.

In the end the game turned out to be a tale of two penalties and a host of missed chances.

A game, which was largely a scrappy ill-tempered affair came to life in the later stages of the first half when Shearer outpaced his marker to get to a teasing cross by Urquhart but his volleyed effort, at full stretch, flew over the crossbar.

Play moved to the other end and referee, rather harshly, ruled that Methven had pushed Harding in the penalty area and awarded the ‘monkey hangers’ a soft penalty.

AYRE collected the ball and confidently despatched the resulting spot-kick.

Half Time; Hartlepool United 1-0 Wigan Athletic.

Gore had a golden chance to level matters in the 47^th minute, Ayre completely missed his kick and presented the ball to Gore, but the Wigan man, who had plenty of time to pick his spot, fired his effort too close to the keeper who produced a fine reflex save.

Parity was however restored a few minutes later when Houghton outpaced Ayre and as he sprinted into the penalty box he was adjudged to have been tripped. Ayre pleaded, to no avail, that he had touched the ball but the award stood and that allowed Tommy Gore to place the ball carefully on the spot and calmly send Burleigh the wrong way to record his 12^th goal of the season.

Bolstered by the equaliser Latics began to dominate proceedings and only wasteful finishing and good goalkeeping by Burleigh held them at bay. It was not all one-way traffic and Wigan’s defence was still showing uncharacteristic hesitancy allowing both Hampton and Staff to have efforts that flew wide of the mark for the hosts.

With ten minutes left on the clock Houghton again used his pace to good effect and fired the ball across the face of goal but Gore and Shearer, who were both trying to get the vital touch, both came up just short.

In the 87^th minute Houghton again found space and he waltzed his way into the area but his first time shot was palmed to safety by Burleigh.

In a frantic finish Wigan again went close as Shearer got goal side of his marker, Billy Ayre, who was quick to block his progress and despite concerted appeals for a penalty the referee Terry Morris waved play on. Shearer was incensed and his protracted protests earned him a yellow card for dissent.

Full Time; Hartlepool United 1-1 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; Gore (pen, 50); Ayre (pen, 44).

Attendance; 1,840

Team; WIGAN—Brown; Fretwell, Whittle, Davids, Methven; Gore, Wright, Corrigan, Urquhart; Shearer, Houghton; SUB; --- M. Quinn

HARTLEPOOL UNITED--- Burleigh; Smith, Brown, Lawrence, Brookes; Ayre, Linacre, Staff, Hampton; Harding, Pimblett; SUB; --- Larkin (for Smith).

Referee; Mr. Terry Morris (Leeds)

Wigan are to be without Corrigan for their next two games as he has picked up a suspension for racking up 30 disciplinary points.  The Liverpudlian has already served a two match ban following and his further indiscretions have placed him at the mercy of the League officials who will no doubt apply further sanctions.