Widnes F.C. 3-3 Prescot Cables – Widnes win 5-4 on Penalties

For the second time in two games, Widnes FC pulled off a cup upset by virtue of a victory in a penalty shootout. The home side drew 3-3 with Prescot Cables of the Northern Premier League Division One North in normal time, before advancing to the quarter-finals of the Liverpool Senior Cup with a 5-4 win on penalties.
Widnes came into the game on the back of a penalty shootout win over St. Helens Town in the Men United Cup, in a game that saw them recover from a 4-1 half-time deficit to secure their place in the third round of that competition. Meanwhile, Prescot came into the game in poor league form. They have won only once in their thirteen league games thus far this season, as they languished outside the relegation zone on goal difference.
It was a tight opening to the game, with possession being exchanged in midfield. Each side shared half-chances in the opening fifteen minutes, courtesy of Prescot’s Callum Gardener and Widnes’ Ben Tollitt.
The first real chance of the game fell to Widnes’ James Ludgate, who was returning to the side after missing the victory over St. Helens Town. Ludgate mustered a long-range shot that just went over the bar.
Prescot had their first real opportunity on goal moments later. Player-manager Neil Prince played a lovely through-ball into Callum Gardener who was denied by an excellent diving save by David Nevitt to keep the score level at 0-0.
It was then Widnes’ turn to be denied by an excellent save. Fraser Ablett played a magnificent pass into Ronnie McCarthy whose shot was saved brilliantly by the on-rushing Cables goalkeeper Tom Quinn.
Widnes’ strong start to the game was rewarded minutes later, as the home side went ahead shortly before the 25-minute mark. The ball fell to Bradley Williams who tried the long-range volley that sensationally flew past Quinn into the back of the net. Williams took the shot well to bag his third goal of the season.
A series of half chances followed the goal before Widnes very nearly doubled their lead shortly before the half-hour mark. Good running from Ben Tollitt down the right-hand side opened up space for a cross that was very nearly turned into his own net by Prescot defender James Cairns. However, goalkeeper Quinn was on-hand to spare Cairns’ blushes as he tipped the deflection wide for a corner.
It was a quiet first-half in all honesty, as Widnes played extremely well, creating their fair share of chances including the stunning goal by Williams to fire them in front. Prescot had a poor half that was compounded by their failure to muster shots on goal. They only really tested Nevitt once as he denied Gardener earlier in the game.
The away side were much improved in the second half. A chance fell to Sam Corlett in the second half as he did well in midfield to open up space for a shot that flew just over the bar.
They missed a golden opportunity to equalise moments later. Corlett again was heavily involved as his cross across the face of goal was turned wide of the post by James Gardener. Gardener really should have scored.
Prescot’s misfortune in front of goal was very nearly punished by Widnes. Fraser Ablett played a great pass through the defence towards goal scorer Williams who went on a run before having his shot saved at his feet by the on-rushing Quinn, who was granted an extra-step on Williams due to the winger’s heavy touch.
This sparked a lengthy spell of possession for Widnes that led to a handful of chances. The first fell to Tollitt. His quick-feet allowed him to work himself into space for a shot that was fired into the side netting.
The home side again went on the attack as Tollitt was involved yet again. This time he linked up with Ronnie McCarthy who delivered a cross into the middle that was met by the head of Graham Molloy who couldn’t direct his shot towards goal.
Widnes then had David Nevitt to thank for keeping the side ahead. A good spell of possession for Prescot culminated in Corlett playing a pass to James Gardener who delivered a cross at the by-line across the face of goal that found Mattias Weir who forced an excellent save from Nevitt.
However, Prescot’s prolonged attacking pressure was rewarded with a goal shortly afterwards. Sam Corlett was once again the instigator as he linked up well with James Gardener who delivered a cross towards the back-post that was turned home by player-manager Prince who slotted past Nevitt to equalise for Cables.
The away side were much improved in the second half and their ability began to show. They went 2-1 ahead not too long after equalising. James Gardener was once again involved as his initial shot was saved by Nevitt which led to an ensuing scramble in the penalty area that was eventually ended by Prince who bagged his second goal of the game as he poked the ball into the back of the net.
It was at this point that Steve Hill decided to change his system as he replaced Fraser Ablett for Joel Douglas to give his side an extra man and extra pace up front. His tactical decision was rewarded as Prescot’s lead failed to last one minute.
The instant reply from the home side was spearheaded by Douglas, who managed to play a defence-splitting pass in the direction of Ben Tollitt who slotted home past Quinn to equalise for Widnes.
The flurry of goals showed no sign of ending as Prescot went back in-front two minutes later. Sam Corlett, who had been involved in most of Prescot’s attacks throughout the game, was rewarded with a goal. He hit a curling shot that beat Nevitt to his right-hand corner. Corlett’s performance warranted a goal. He was the main creative threat for Cables on the night.
Widnes began to pile on the pressure in search for an equaliser. Sustained pressure shortly before the 90-minute mark ended with a tame shot from Paul Carney being comfortably collected by goalkeeper Quinn.
However, Widnes’ relentless pressure was compensated with the equaliser that they deserved. Ben Tollitt played a delicious cross from the right-hand side towards the penalty area that was headed home brilliantly by Graham Molloy to draw the game level at 3-3 and to send it penalties.
Once again, Widnes went second in the shootout and both sides converted their first three spot-kicks each. Corlett, Mason Ryan and Prince converted for Prescot whilst McCarthy, Tollitt and substitute Danny Lomax scored their penalties for Steve Hill’s side.
In similar fashion to Saturday’s victory, Widnes’ opponents missed their fourth spot-kick. Substitute Mattias Weir fired his penalty well over the bar which presented Bradley Williams with the opportunity to put Widnes ahead for the first time in the shootout; an opportunity he duly took.
Cables’ Jack Phillips then tucked his penalty past Nevitt to keep the away side in it before Paul Carney stepped up for Widnes with the chance to send Widnes through to the quarter-finals of the Liverpool Senior Cup. Carney slotted his penalty past Quinn to send Widnes through.
Manager Steve Hill was delighted with the result. “I’m made up with the result. To be honest, I was made up with the character that the lads shown again. Normally, we go ahead and sit on a lead apart from Saturday and tonight we’re we’ve gone a goal behind and hit back very quickly.”
In their next game, Widnes host Rochdale Town at home in their return to league action as they look to get all three points. Hill targeted three points for his side. “We need to be getting three points. It’s not going to be easy, they’re a handful as they showed in the 4-4 draw between us earlier in the season. We know all about them, they’re a good side and we know we’re going to have to be on our game if we want to get something.”