6.45pm 8 August 2023
Wigan Cup, Group Three
Ince Central 0 Atherton Town 2 (att 9)
The Wigan Cup has provided me with competitive pre and early season fixtures for many years, but its history goes back far longer. It began in 1885, making it one of the UK's oldest surviving cup competitions.
This year it's had some fresh impetus, with teams split into four groups from which the winners and runners up will progress to knock out stages. The competition concludes next spring.
It's doubtful that Wigan League side Ince Central will still be in the cup by then, but after losing their opening fixture 10-1 last week they did well to restrict Manchester League Atherton Town to just a goal in each half.
The visitors were much the better side, as you'd expect, but they made hard work of seeing off their dogged hosts. It took 30 minutes or so before they went ahead, and they didn't double their lead until close to the end.
Ince Central's current home ground is Parsons Meadow, in the Poolstock area of Wigan. Players change, and cars are parked, at Wigan St Judes Amateur Rugby League ground. From there it's a lengthy walk to the next playing field which has three football pitches.
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