Widnes 2-1 Warrington Town

Widnes FC earned local bragging rights with an impressive 2-1 victory over Warrington Town at the Select Security Stadium.

A fifth minute penalty from Kev Towey fired Widnes into the lead, before Darrhyl Mason doubled the hosts’ lead just over 10 minutes later. Lewis Codling pulled a goal back shortly before the hour-mark for The Yellows but some resolute defending from Widnes ensured that Danny Meadowcroft and Brian Pritchard’s side held on for victory in the first-ever meeting between the two sides.

Despite Warrington being in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Premier Division (three divisions above Widnes) following their title winning campaign last season, Widnes controlled large parts of the game and started with the means to go on, taking an early lead.

Kev Towey took the brunt of a hard challenge from Daniel Ventre, still managing to dispatch a through ball to strike-partner Darrhyl Mason, who was bundled over in the area by Joe Coombs, leaving referee Benjamin Speedie with no choice but to point to the spot.

Towey stepped up, and fired his spot-kick into the back of the net, to the right of outstretched goalkeeper Karl Wills as Widnes took a fifth minute lead.

Both teams shared half-chances in the following minutes. Widnes’ Jon Dawson fired a shot on goal from long-range that was too hot for keeper Wills to handle, as the hosts forced a corner that eventually came to nothing.

Minutes later, Warrington’s Sean Clancy did well down the left to engineer space for a cross that striker James Dean miscued at the back post, allowing Widnes central defender Mike Burke to sweep away the danger.

Widnes doubled their lead on the 17-minute mark. Darrhyl Mason was released down the left, showing electric pace and power to burst down the left channel before finishing well with a terrific effort across the goalkeeper and into the far corner.

Town couldn’t cope with the threat of Mason, who had the Stuart Mellish’s side reeling and on the ropes midway through the first half. Mason linked up with Towey whose neat backheel set Mason on his way, through in on goal but the striker’s effort bounced back off the inside of the post, preventing Widnes from racing into a 3-0 lead.

Widnes controlled the remainder of the first half, but Warrington did have their fair share of chances.

Mike Grogan rose above a sea of bodies to awkwardly head the ball towards goal that was cleared off the line before Ryan Winder linked up neatly with Clancy, before the former blazed his shot over the bar from outside the area.

Warrington spurned a good opportunity to pull a goal back on the stroke of half-time. Substitute Lewis Codling capitalised on a defensive mix-up between Burke and left-back Joe Fielding, but a poor first touch let the former Marine man down, as he fired well wide of the post as he raced towards Richie Mottram’s goal.

Halftime: Widnes 2-0 Warrington Town

Widnes were good value for their halftime lead, looking confident and assured in possession of the ball.

The Yellows made a couple of changes at the break, and had a goal ruled out for offside early in the second period. Scott Harries fired a shot on goal that goalkeeper Mottram could only push into the path of Ben Deegan, who turned the ball home. Fortunately for Widnes however, the assistant referee on the near-side had his flag raised.

Town looked like a better side in the second half. Codling was impressive following his introduction from the bench, and brilliantly flicked the ball over the head of Burke before teeing up Dean, whose shot was beaten away by a strong save from Mottram to his right.
Warrington eventually found a way through the Widnes defence to pull a goal back shortly before the hour-mark.

Three substitutes combined for the goal as Josh Walne and Scott Harries linked up well down the right before picking out Codling in the penalty area, who found the bottom corner with his shot to give the visitors a lifeline.

Widnes then had Mottram and the crossbar to thank for preserving their lead. Codling forced another good save out of the Widnes keeper before striker Dean rattled the woodwork with a super long-range effort less than a minute later.

Despite Warrington enjoying a period of dominance of possession, Widnes had their chances to put Town to bed. Dawson robbed O’Donnell of possession deep in Wire territory, but could only force a comfortable save out of Wills.

Minutes later, substitute James McShane was presented with a glorious opportunity to put the final nail in Town’s coffin, latching on to a Dawson through ball but the striker fluffled his lines through in on goal, scuffing his shot into the gloves of keeper Wills.

Tunde Owolabi showed a blistering turn of pace to race away from Winder down the right touchline. Bearing down on goal, Owolabi selfishly took the shot on himself but Wills was on-hand to make the save. The Widnes man had options in the middle that he chose to forego.

The last 10 minutes proved to be a tasty period for the 233 supporters in attendance. The ball fell at the feet of Clancy at the back post, but the Warrington winger couldn’t muster a shot before Mottram claimed the loose ball.

Mellish’s side were knocking on the door late in the game, but it simply wouldn't open. Substitute Walne’s pull back from the byline was cleared by Widnes, before Tom Mitchell brilliantly disposed Deegan to clear for Widnes as the Warrington man looked to pick out a teammate in the middle.

Despite Warrington’s late pressure, Widnes’ defence held firm and saw the game out to pick up a very impressive 2-1 victory.

Fulltime: Widnes 2-1 Warrington Town

Widnes’ pre-season game against Halebank, scheduled for this coming Saturday (July 30th) has now been cancelled. Therefore, the club are now searching for an impromptu pre-season friendly.

Widnes: Mottram, Richards (Trialist 59), Fielding (Carney 59), Pollard (Turner 63), Meadowcroft (Mitchell 59), Burke, Towey (Owolabi 63), Jason McShane (L.J. Edwards 63), Mason (Owolabi 63), Dawson, Edwards (Rigby 63).

Subs not used: Knight.