BARCLAYS LEAGUE DIVISION THREE-26.12.90

WIGAN ATHLETIC 4 EXETER CITY 1

Following Danny Bailey's Christmas Eve move to Reading and injuries to Steve Neville and Gary Marshall, it was a patched up City side which made the Bank Holiday trip to Wigan. The game, as far as we're concerned anyway, will certainly not be remembered with any great affection, as City fell to 14-1 defeat.

The first ten minutes saw City put the home side under quite a bit or pressure, with some determined attacking on both flanks winning several corners. Mark Cooper's flag kicks proved to be particularly awkward in the strong wind, and Wigan keeper Joe Paladino and his defence did well t prevent any clear cut chances falling to the Exeter attack

However, Don Page's fourteenth goal of the season set City on their way to our biggest defeat since May 1989 after only twelve minutes. The Wigan top scorer ran more or less unchallenged from the halfway line before drilling a firm shot past Keven Miller and in off the right hand post.

It was two goals in the space of four minutes which really brought about City's downfall though, with first Phil Daley and then Bryan Griffiths getting on the end of smart moves to put the ball past the un protected Miller and put poor City 3-0 down after only thirty-four minutes.

Despite a brighter second half showing from City-now with Peter Cawley to add to the casualty list. Joe Brown replacing him at half-sme - Bryan Griffiths' second and his side's fourth goal of the afternoon came with an hour gone.

fortunately, this was the last of Wigan's goalscoring exploits as the City midfield finally began to get a grip on the game. After Gordon Hobson, Paul Eshelby and Trevor Morgan had all been denied by alert saves from keeper Paladino, and Richard Dryden had sent a good shot narrowly wide, Cayirally got the consolation goal which they had been searching for. Another testing Cooper corner was deflected into the Wigan net by Lactics defender Alan Johnston

A disappointing afternoon then for Exeter, but as always the occasion was enjoyed to the full by the traveling City support of 150 or so. Let's hope that the next time they have cause to celebrate an eighty-ninth minute strike for the Grecians will be in happier circumstances!