Knutsford 0-3 Widnes

Goals from Jason McShane, Kev Towey and Darrhyl Mason ensured that Widnes FC picked up their third victory in four pre-season games, running out 3-0 winners against Cheshire League Champions Knutsford.

On an immaculate playing surface at Manchester Road, Widnes were made to work for the third consecutive victory with only two weeks remaining until Danny Meadowcroft and Brian Pritchard’s side kick-off their league campaign with a trip to Prestwich Heys.

Widnes began the game well and took the lead within the opening five minutes. Central defender Mike Burke played a long ball forward that Kev Towey hooked back into the 6-yard area from the byline, allowing Jason McShane to head home from close-range, netting for the first time in a Widnes shirt.

Knutsford defended well throughout the game and shown glimpses of their title winning side of the 2015/16 campaign. James McShane was held to a long-range that whistled over the top bar, whilst Widnes keeper Richie Mottram made a couple of comfortable saves inside the game’s opening 30 minutes.

Widnes began the game with a 4-3-3 system that was eventually changed to 4-4-2 following the half-hour mark. Following the change in formation, the visitors began to create more chances going forward. Tom Mitchell won the ball back in midfield and played a ball over the top to Towey, whose cheeky chip towards goal drifted over the head of the keeper and over the bar.

The opening 45 minutes drew to a close with Widnes going close with two good chances. Luke Edwards intercepted a wayward pass from a Knutsford defender, before curling his effort inches wide of the upright. Darrhyl Mason, who had been on trial with the club before signing forms this past week, linked up with strike-partner Towey but could only force a comfortable save out of the keeper.

Halftime: Knutsford 0-1 Widnes

The scoreline at the interval was reflective of the football on show. The hosts were holding firm whilst Widnes’ final ball wasn’t quite clicking into gear.

Widnes were an improved unit in the second period, and didn’t waste any time in searching for a second goal. An Edwards free-kick from the right was kept alive in the area by Widnes, with Burke and Towey seeing shots blocked before James McShane, brother of earlier goalscorer Jason, rattled the bar with his effort from the edge of the area.

Five minutes later, the ball broke to Jason McShane who raced clear and through in on goal, looking certain to bag his second of the afternoon before a terrific sliding challenge from Knutsford’s full back prevented the midfielder from doubling his account on the day.

Widnes’ dominance in the early stages of the second half was rewarded with a second goal on the stroke of the half-hour mark. James McShane threaded the ball through to Kev Towey, who calmly rounded the Knutsford keeper before rolling the ball into the back of the net.

Widnes made a plethora of changes on the hour-mark, with joint manager Meadowcroft, Towey and the McShane brothers being replaced by Joe Fielding, Callum Richards, Dale Korie-Butler and Tunde Owolabi – the latter almost made an immediate impact.

Owolabi was presented with a magnificent chance to put the game to bed, and increase Widnes’ lead but the forward’s shot bounced back off the foot of the post before rolling away from danger.

On a hot July afternoon, the pace of the game dropped considerably as the game drew to a close as players began to tire.

Widnes eventually did grab a third goal of the afternoon. Luke Edwards drilled a corner into the 6-yard area which was met by the head of Darrhyl Mason, who peeled off his man to head home his third goal in three pre-season games; his first following his impressive stint on trial.

Widnes came close to a fourth on two separate occasions as the full time whistle drew nearer. Edwards was played through in on goal but couldn’t quite lift the ball above the on-rushing goalkeeper who made a good save, before skipper Kev Pollard saw a header from another Edwards corner cleared off the line.

Fulltime: Knutsford 0-3 Widnes

Speaking after the game, Widnes captain Pollard praised his teammates’ efforts on the day.

He said: “It was a hard one today. The lads are working well and we are getting there as we’re grinding those results out.

“I think the closer we get to the season, the results will obviously come, but the performances will be raised and come as well.”

On Tuesday night, Widnes host near-neighbours Warrington Town in their penultimate pre-season game at the Select Security Stadium. Pollard believes that the team will be up for the game and raring to go.

He added: “It will be a tough game. It’s one of those games that the lads will definitely be up for.

“No disrespect to the team that we played today, but the lads will be raring to go on Tuesday and hopefully, we can put a good shift in and come away with a positive result.”