Vauxhall Motors 0-4 Widnes

Kev Towey bagged a brace in his first pre-season game for Widnes as Danny Meadowcroft and Brian Pritchard’s side eased to a comfortable 4-0 victory over Vauxhall Motors at Rivacre Park.

Towey, goalkeeper Will Knight, Jason McShane and Meadowcroft himself were given their first run outs of pre-season, as the management team made a handful of changes from Saturday’s 5-0 victory over Congleton Town. Paul Carney and Dale Korie-Butler were rested as five Trialists appeared in the 20-man squad.

Widnes should have taken the lead in the opening minutes. The two Trialists who found the net in Saturday’s outing linked up well with the centre-forward of the pair driving a shot high and wide of the target.

Defender Tom Mitchell also came close to an early opener as Luke Edwards delicious delivery from a free-kick on the left was headed across the face of goal and wide by the Widnes man.

Edwards did well again down the left a minute later, as Widnes’ top goalscorer last season connected with Kev Towey, who will have been disappointed not to have hit the target on the half-volley.

Widnes took the lead on the 10-minute mark. Edwards looked to have established an instant connection with Towey, as the former received the ball from Mitchell, before threading a brilliant ball through to the striker who delightfully lifted the ball over the head of the keeper and into the back of the net.

Vauxhall, who finished 4th in the West Cheshire League First Division last season, played some good football throughout the game and had their first shot on target on the 15-minute mark but debuting goalkeeper Will Knight produced a decent save to avert any danger.

Widnes doubled their lead five minutes later. Luke Edwards burst past three Vauxhall defenders before squaring the ball into the path of Towey who directed the ball home for his second goal of the half.

Four minutes later, Widnes increased their lead. The Trialist playing at right-back threaded the ball through to Trialist, who again bullied his way through the Vauxhall before the centre-forward applied a cool and composed finish for his second goal in as many games for Widnes.

The sweltering heat and long grass provided difficult conditions for both sides, who were content to pass the ball around and remain patient going forward. Joe Fielding got forward from left-back for Widnes before laying the ball off to the late arriving Towey who drilled a shot over from distance.

Halftime: Vauxhall Motors 0-3 Widnes

Widnes made nine changes at half-time, with Joe Fielding and defensive Trialist remaining from the team that started the game.

Tunde Owolabi, who was a handful in the victory over Congleton Town, but couldn’t quite find the net, was lively again following his introduction from the bench. Owolabi showed a terrific turn of pace before pulling the ball back to James McShane who missed the target with his effort.

Two minutes later, Widnes were awarded a penalty. Substitute Matty Rigby was bundled off the ball, with the referee showing little hesitation when pointing to the spot. Owolabi stepped up, and confidently dispatched the spot-kick.

Richie Mottram, brought on at half-time in goal, made some decent saves following his introduction in the second period. Shortly before the hour-mark, Mottram did well to push a daisy-cutter away from goal.

Mottram also contributed offensively. His superb distribution released Fielding following a long-punt, but the Widnes full-back fluffed his lines and could only lift his effort over the bar.

Owolabi was again having more misfortune in front of goal, hitting the post on the hour-mark with a powerful effort before rattling the bar shortly over 10 minutes later, after Liam Turner brilliantly brought the ball down before picking out Owolabi, who could only find the woodwork for the second time.

There was still time for Mottram to make a couple of great saves, including a sensational stop from point-blank range to deny a goalbound effort from the Vauxhall striker.

Fulltime: Vauxhall Motors 0-4 Widnes

The game provided another good run out for the visitors, who have now found the net 11 times in three pre-season games, conceding only twice.

Widnes’ next outing is against the Cheshire Football League Champions Knutsford FC, with that game kicking-off at 2pm.