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Wigan Town v Hartford

3pm 20 April 2024

Cheshire League, League Two
Wigan Town 1 Hartford 2 (att 35)

Other commitments morning and evening meant a 3pm kick off close to home was ideal, so it was the perfect opportunity to visit a club coming to the end of a debut season in the Cheshire League.

It's fair to say it's been a tough baptism. Going into this game they were bottom with just three points from 25 matches, thanks to a solitary victory in March.

But, with visitors Hartford being only a single place and five points clear of them, Wigan Town would have had hopes of adding to their points tally. I was hoping for a match that'd be competitive.

Hartford started well, and with better finishing would have established an early lead to set themselves up for a comfortable win. But they failed to take their chances and it was the home side, against the run of play, who opened the scoring.

They couldn't hold onto their lead though. It was 1-1 by half time, and Hartford got a decisive winning goal midway through the second half. Wigan Town had chances to get back level, but it wasn't to be.

The better side won, but Wigan were unfortunate not to get something for their efforts.

Wigan Town may be struggling on the pitch but off it they have facilities that are among the best in the league. The ground is fully enclosed and surrounded advertising boards. There's dugouts, floodlights and some hard standing, as well as a clubhouse next to the pitch.

All that is due to it being the home of amateur rugby league side Ince Rose Bridge rather than Wigan Town's tenancy. The playing surface was more suited to rugby than football, but overall it made for a better matchday experience than most games at this level.

Hopefully Wigan Town can build on this season and begin to create a side on the pitch to match the facilities off it.









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