Wigan Athletic 0 Exeter City 1.

Saturday 9 January 1993

Referee:

Att: 1882

EXETER boss Alan Ball danced on the pitch after his side won for the first time at Wigan. Ball had seen his side weather an early Wigan storm before Jonathan Brown powered in a header trom 10 yards on 74 aninutes. It would have been 2-0 had Wigan defender John Robertson not kicked Steve Moran's shot off the line with a minute left. Before the break Exeter could have scored through Hiley's 25-yard drive, which was just inches wide, and Joe Gallon's header,wall saved by keeper Nigel Adkins. But in the first 10 minutes it was Exeter under the sosh as keeper Kevin Miller saved an effort by Steve Appleton. And centre back Brown bundled a header off the line, also from Appleton. But Wigan-with £200,000 winger Ray Woods back on loan from Coventry- were rarely in it.

Match Report 2 from Exe-Directory 

Wigan 0 City 1

Well, you just don't know what to expect when you watch City away these days. You begin to think, well maybe after all these years they are beginning to get things right, then BANGI, along comes Hull. Enough said. But as a hardy band of 5 Exiles boarded the 9.15am to Fort William, the mood was optimistic, but nobody really wanted to say anything in case they tempted fate. After arriving some 25 minutes late, our first port of call was 'The Orwell', a splendid pub at the world famous Wigan Pier. Serving a wide range of real ales (Cain's Bitter and West Coast Best Bitter being the better ones) and hot meals for a reasonable price, we were very happy. Next stop was Wigan Supporters' Club and as luck would have it, the team coach arrived just as we did. We managed to collar John Brown and he in turn got Peter Whiston to produce 5 stand tickets, as well as player passes for the bar afterwards. Quite a result, and they hadn't even kicked off yet.

Anyway, to the game. As we have now come to expect, the Exeter rearguard looked very solid and Miller was only really troubled once in the first half. Moran had a good shot diverted past the post on the half hour and Gallen also had a header well stopped by Adkins, late in the first half. After Wigan had hit the crossbar, City didn't really look in much danger as Hiley and

Hodge really began to run things. Hodge came close with a long range shot after 65 minutes. Then with 18 minutes left, the boy wonder came on 'BUSTER'. If you have not yet been lucky enough to see him in action, you're in for a treat. He twisted and turned and made some of the Wigan defence look rather silly.

After a Hodge cross and another Gallen header, the ball was sent away for a corner. Then in steamed John Brown, who rose like a salmon to blast his header past the mannikin-like 'keeper. Moran should have had another, as from where we were sitting, the ball looked to be well over the line. The final whistle came and Bally did his little jig for joy as the City faithful applauded another hard fought result. John Brown performed his now traditional 'Gary Nelson shuffle', which consists of grasping your belly and wobbling it at the supporters, named in honour of the Sumo-like editor of We'll Score Again. We retired to the players' bar in the stand, much to the dismay of the Wigan fans. Our smiles must have been as wide as the bottom of Roger's trousers. Then as the players gradually came in, we congratulated them all, Brown looking really chuffed. His words were: "You liked that one, eh?" - did we ever, John! After another chat with Bally, who must think we follow him around for a hobby [you do, don't you? - Ed], we dived into some taxis back to the station. We had a quick pint in the Swan & Railway, where we met the Harlequins Rugby club, who had just lost at Orwell. Then we all fell asleep, but woke up in time to give some sulking scousers some stick, like "oh, how did you get on today?", knowing full well they had lost at home to Villa - hahahaha!

We arrived back at Euston tired but very happy and another day out was complete. I really must urge you all to try one of the longer trips. We do go to every one, even if it's just a few of us it's a great day out.

City: Miller, Hiley, Cook, Bailey, Brown, Whiston, Tonge, Kelly (Phillips 72), Moran, Gallen, Hodge. Sub not used: Cooper Attendance: 1,882

by Bea Smith (W.D.C.)