The English cup tie between these clubs was played on the Hyde-Road ground on Saturday last before 8,000 people.
The Wigan County players, after their week's training at Lytham, proceeded by the 12 40 train to Manchester from the Wigan Central Station, and arrived at the ground about two o'clock. Sharples, after an absence of nearly three months, again appeared for the County. The Wigan men's condition was perfect, and they felt sanguine as to the result.
Punctually at 2 45 the game was opened by the undermentioned: Manchester City:- Williams, goal; Read and Ray, backs; Moffatt, Smith and Holmes, half-backs; Meredith, Whitehead, Gillespie, Smith and F.Williams, forwards. Wigan County:- Mackay, goal; Holmes and Molneux, backs; McIntyre, Greer and Sharp, half-backs; J.Gordon, P.Gordon, Sharples, Gara, and Cookson, forwards. Referee, Mr. Lewis.
Meredith was fortunate in winning the spin, as a strong wind prevailed. Sharples started and J.Gordon charged Kay's kick down, and put in a capital centre, but Reid stepped in to this. Early on a free kick to City enabled them to avert danger from the visitors, who forced the game at a very hot pace.
Some smart head work by McIntyre assisted the Wigan right wing in carrying the ball in the direction of Williams, who cleared well a series of attacks. However, the City left wing made a good run, and Williams placed the ball in front of the County goal, where a scrimmage ensued. Holmes came through well, Wigan again taking up the pressure, and completely outplayed the home lot. J.Gordon got in a fine centre, which Cookson, with a terrific kick, just missed the upright.
Sharpe tackled well on the right, and very shortly afterwards the Wigan forwards were again round Williams. Sharples and P. and J.Gordon passed splendidly with the result that Gara gave Williams a beauty to deal with. The play for the first 20 minutes was decidedly in favour of the County, whose combination was far better than the City men.
Eventually their turn came and it was here that Mackay was fully tested. The ball, which was put in by Smith, struck the underside of the crossbar, and could be seen bobbing up and down for several moments, but Molyneux finally headed the danger away, and two corners in quick succession proved of no value to the "Cits".
A length hostilities were changed (sic) through McIntyre, who came out with a capital run down the centre of the field. From this Sharples got possession, and gave to P. and J.Gordon, with the result that the latter's centre was put splendidly in by Gara, but Williams was all there. The Wigan men continued to have the pull of the play, but, thanks to the fine display of Read and Ray, could not get the much-deserved point.
Following this Sharpe placed the County left wing in a position which they took full advantage of, and here the finest move of the game ensued. The passing of the visitors was perfect from left to right, and Sharples forced a corner from Ray, though it availed Wigan nothing. Greer was prominent with excellent play in midfield, and the City goal underwent some lucky escapes.
Half time: Wigan County 0, Manchester City 0.
The wind at the commencement of the second part of the game had practically dropped, and the play ruled in favour of the home team for a period. They could make no headway whatever against Molyneux, who throughout the match had played a magnificent game. The Wigan forwards carried play to the Citizens' end, but their shooting seemed to have lost its sting, and Williams had little difficulty in clearing.
Again taking up the pressure the City right wing got in some capital centres, two of which resulted in fruitless corners. Mackay was in fine form, as could be seen when a great majority of the crowd, which had considerably increased after the interval, cheered him for several clearances.
Greer at length succeeded at length (sic) in placing the County forwards again on the aggressive, and the home defence was tested to its capacity, but weight began to tell more on the Wigan left wing. A free kick to Wigan, however, was taken by Molyneux, from which Sharples nearly hit the mark.
The play was again at the County end, and the first mistake which Mackay made ended disastrously for the Lancashire Leaguers. Whitehead had sent in a somewhat slow shot, and Mackay left his charge. He made flying kick at the ball, but only grazed it, and Whitehead had it back in a twinkling, and after striking the upright it rolled into the net. It was a goal right enough, and the Mancunians went frantic with delight.See footnote
Wigan redoubled their efforts after this, and several times threatened to equalise. Sharpe placed a free-kick beautifully in theCity goal mouth, Sharples heading the ball just over the crossbar. Nothing of any importance followed and the remainder of the game fluctuated.
Result: Manchester City, one goal; Wigan County none.
The Manchester City team in 1898 that played Wigan County
Footnote
Although the Wigan Observer report seems to indicate that Whitehead scored like this the Athletic News reported it slightly differently: "Then as the result of a splendid combination, Whitehead let go at long range. Ever ready and resourceful, Gillespie stood right in the path of the ball, and Mackay, probably thinking that the City centre would try to help it through, had walked across the goal in waiting, but artful Gillespie had no such intention, for he spread out his legs, and the ball slid through into the net."
Which of them was actually at the match??????