Irlam U21s 2-4 Widnes

Widnes FC edged Irlam FC Under 21s 4-2 in a 6-goal thriller at Silver Street, in the Whites’ final pre-season fixture before their Hallmark Security League First Division campaign gets underway next Saturday, (6th August) away at Prestwich Heys.

The young Irlam side provided the opposition for Danny Meadowcroft and Brian Pritchard’s side following the cancellation of Widnes’ scheduled fixture against local side Halebank earlier in the week.

With a handful of players missing through injury and unavailability for Widnes, opportunities arose for players to make one final impression before the league season gets underway. Will Knight started in goal for Widnes, whilst George Webster and Jack White made their first appearances since the draw against Altrincham three weeks ago.

The youthful hosts proved to be a tough test for Widnes, and they took the lead inside the opening two minutes. A long-range effort from the Irlam centre-forward found the bottom corner at keeper Knight’s near-post, giving the home side the perfect start. Knight managed to get a hand on the effort, but couldn’t keep it out.

Widnes weren’t behind for long and equalised on the 10-minute mark in some style. A peach of a strike from Jason McShane levelled things up for the visitors, as the midfielder caught a Luke Edwards corner brilliantly on the volley, finding the roof of the net.

Despite Widnes’ equaliser, Irlam showed great character to go back in-front less than two minutes later. It was a poor goal to concede from Widnes’ point-of-view, as an Irlam defender was left to head the ball home from a corner.

The game’s frantic pace continued to the midway point of the half, as Widnes equalised for a second time. It was a goal for the gaffer as centre-half and joint manager Danny Meadowcroft rose highest in the area to meet Edwards’ set-piece to find the top corner with a thumping header.

Widnes spurned a glorious opportunity to take the lead on the stroke of the half-hour mark. Tunde Owolabi managed to evade the offside trap, racing clear for Widnes. The striker managed to round the keeper, leaving the goal at his mercy but an Irlam defender was on-hand to block the shot from the Widnes man, preserving the 2-2 scoreline.

As half-time approached, Widnes forward James McShane was held to a half-chance, leaping to only head Tom Mitchell’s long-ball forward into the gloves of the goalkeeper.

Halftime: Irlam U21s 2-2 Widnes

Widnes started the second half well and wasted little in time in taking the lead for the first time in the game. In an obvious attempt to out-do his brother’s 10th minute strike, James McShane delightfully lifted the ball over the head of the Irlam keeper and into the back of the net from the edge of the D, after some good work in the build-up from George Webster.

Widnes were in control from that point onwards, and extended their lead on the stroke of the hour-mark. Edwards played a short free-kick to Jason McShane, whose cross-cum-shot was diverted into the bottom corner by the head of Jack White, who netted his second goal in as many pre-season games for the Whites.

Despite a good spell of possession later in the period for Irlam, keeper Will Knight wasn’t really tested in the Widnes goal in the second half, making a handful of comfortable saves as full time drew nearer.

Widnes seemed content with what they had with Matt Rigby having the best of the chances for the visitors, cutting inside from the left to send a good strike towards goal that was held well by the Irlam goalkeeper.

One further incident of note was the debut of 16-year-old Derek McShane, who was given the opportunity to play alongside his two brothers for the final 15 minutes. The youngster’s introduction marked the first time ever that three brothers had played together in the Club’s short history.

Fulltime: Irlam U21s 2-4 Widnes

Widnes’ final pre-season friendly was a good run-out for Meadowcroft and Pritchard’s side, presenting an opportunity for a number of players to get 90 minutes under their belt before the league season gets underway.

Widnes travel to Adie Moran Park to take on Prestwich Heys (the hosts’ first North West Counties Football League fixture for 30 years) as both sides’ league campaigns get underway next Saturday.

Widnes’ first home fixture comes 48 hours later, as Sandbach United provide the opposition as Monday Night Football returns to the Select Security Stadium for the first-time in the 2016/17 season.

Widnes: Knight, Richards (Trialist 56), Rigby, L.J. Edwards, Meadowcroft, Mitchell (C), Webster (D. McShane 76), Jason McShane, Owolabi (White 46), James McShane, Edwards (Turner 62).

Subs not used: N/A