Hanley Town 2-1 Widnes

A second-half brace of penalties from Hanley Town winger Oliver Edwards ensured that Widnes FC were knocked out of the Reusch First Division Cup in the Second Round, losing 2-1 in Staffordshire.

Edwards converted twice from 12 yards following fouls from Paul Carney and Ben Morrow, completing the turnaround for Town after Hanley skipper Joel Stair diverted a Jamil Campbell-Joseph cross into the back of his own net shortly before half-time to give Widnes the lead at the break.

Widnes manager Steve Hill made three changes to the side that were beaten 2-0 at Cheadle Town in league action a week earlier. Danny Lomax and Ronnie McCarthy returned to the midfield from injury and suspension respectively, replacing the unavailable pair of Danny Burthem and Tony Wynne. Connor Willis started up-front for Widnes, as he came in for Jordan Stanley, who dropped to the bench.

The early exchanges of the contest were highly contested, with both sides opting to tighten up at the back whilst battling for possession. Hanley midfielder Jimmy McCarthy was the first to fire a shot on goal, as he drilled his effort wide. Minutes later, Oliver Edwards forced a solid save out of Ben Morrow, registering the first shot on goal in the game for the hosts.

Widnes lacked a foothold in the game inside the opening 15 minutes, as the Staffordshire-outfit, who were runners-up in this competition last season, began to dominate and create early chances. The Whites again relied on keeper Morrow to keep the scoreline level as he produced a terrific save to deny a goalbound header from Hanley striker Nick Ward.

Widnes manager Hill was forced into an early change as George McGrogan picked up an injury and was replaced by Jamie Casson. Eager to be defensively solid, Hill sacrificed goal-threat Alex Davies, by slotting the visitors’ joint-leading goalscorer into the back-four at right-back, with Casson playing in the advanced position.

Widnes have lacked a cutting edge in recent weeks going forward, creating a number of chances but missing a distinct end-product. This was evident again midway through the opening half as Jamil Campbell-Joseph fizzed a pass through to Luke Edwards whose attempt in the end was tame as Joe Hemmings comfortably gathered Edwards’ effort.

The pace of the opening 45 minutes significantly slowed down in the second half of the period, with both teams finding chances hard to come by. Hanley should have scored 10 minutes before the interval as the ball broke away from a Widnes corner allowing Town to launch a counter-attack. Ben Blowers threaded a pass through to Leigh Skellern, who was one-on-one with Morrow before dragging his shot wide when it was easier to score.

Widnes made Hanley pay for the inefficiencies in front of goal as the visitors took the lead shortly before the break. It was a well-worked, flowing move from Widnes which culminated in Jamil Campbell-Joseph’s cross in towards the penalty spot was diverted into his own net by Town skipper Joel Stair, gifting Widnes a halftime lead.

Halftime: Hanley Town 0-1 Widnes

Widnes were good value for their lead at the interval, as they were solid throughout the opening 45 minutes, maintaining a good balance between attack and defence.

In similar fashion to the opening half, both sides again found clear-cut chances hard to come by as they were frequently shut down offensively by astute defending.

Widnes should have doubled their lead 10 minutes into the second period. Paul Carney picked out Luke Edwards with a magnificent long-range pass, with Edwards running through in on goal. Edwards was mightily unlucky, as his attempted chip managed to beat the keeper before running past the post.

Hanley were awarded a penalty 20 minutes into the half, as Paul Carney brought down Leigh Skellern inside the area. The referee immediately pointed to the spot, despite the fact that Carney had appeared to win the ball with an excellent challenge. Oliver Edwards stepped for Town, and confidently stroked his spot-kick into the back of the net, sending Morrow the wrong way.

The goal changed the game, which began to swing into Hanley’s favour. Goalscorer Edwards sent a volley towards goal that was beaten away by the outstretched Morrow before Skellern again came close as he fired a shot wide of the post.

Hanley were awarded a second penalty 10 minutes from time. Jamie Casson was the recipient on a crunching challenge that the referee deemed to be a fair one as Town regained possession. Eventually, Skellern was played through on goal, attempting to round Morrow who brought the Hanley striker down with an outstretched glove. Morrow was only cautioned as Ben Cartwright was covering the Widnes shot-stopper.

Oliver Edwards again stepped up for the hosts, converting his second penalty of the afternoon completing the turnaround for Hanley.

Widnes were unfortunate to be behind, and they began to increase the pressure as time ran away but to no avail. Campbell-Joseph blazed an effort over the bar with a shot that summed up Widnes’ frustrations.

Fulltime: Hanley Town 2-1 Widnes

With this result, Widnes have again been knocked out of the Reusch First Division Cup at the first hurdle, albeit in the second round for the second consecutive year.

After bowing out of the First Division Cup, Widnes are back at home next Saturday, hosting Holker Old Boys at the Select Security Stadium.

Hanley Town: Hemmings (GK), Evans, Watson, Grice, J. Stair (C), Stanyer, McCarthy, Blowers, Ward, Skellern, Edwards (Mellor 85).

Subs not used: Reeves-Jones, Donaldson, Johnson, T. Stair.

Widnes: Morrow (GK), McGrogan (Casson 20), Carney, Cartwright, Mitchell (C), Lomax, Davies, McCarthy, Willis (Clarke 70), Campbell-Joseph, Edwards.

Subs not used: Strutz-Rivelli, Stanley, Hartley (GK).