REPORT: Widnes 1-4 Chadderton

It was an afternoon to forget for Widnes on Saturday as Chadderton claimed a 4-1 victory at the Select Security Stadium to advance to the First Round Proper of the FA Vase.

With new manager Joey Dunn watching on following his appointment on Friday, Chadderton took the lead on the half-hour mark as Nicholas Alexander found the far-corner with a free-kick before Matthew Landregan’s delightful increased the visitors’ lead on the stroke of half-time.

Alexander added his second 10 minutes into the second half before debutant George Lomax headed home for Widnes, providing a late lifeline in the process. However, Widnes’ potential revival was short-lived as Matthew Crothers slotted home Chadderton’s fourth 12 minutes from time, rounding off a thoroughly miserable day for the Whites.

Danny Salt continued in the dugout and took charge of the team for the final game, handing debuts to brothers George and Chris Lomax, with Dale Davies also making his debut at right-back as they came in for Neil Harvey, Jack Graham and Joe Fielding. Meanwhile, Jason McShane and Luke J Edwards came in for James McShane and Kev Pollard as Salt made five changes to the side that were beaten 6-5 at Litherland REMYCA on Wednesday night.

The game got off to a slow and somewhat dull start, as both teams exchanged possession and lacked an end-product offensively. Matthew Crothers curled a free-kick into the gloves of Kris Leigh for Chadderton, before Luke J Edwards volleyed over for Widnes on the 20-minute mark.

Danny Laverty got on the end of a good ball from Chris Lomax before firing a shot over for Widnes, bringing a disappointing end to neat build-up play from the hosts.

Minutes later, Chadderton’s Samuel Gibson played a poor backpass that was nearly intercepted by Widnes’ George Lomax. However, ‘keeper Michael Smith was alert and cleared the danger to the relief of his teammate.

On the half-hour mark, Chadderton took the lead. Nicholas Alexander found the far corner with a well-taken free-kick from 25 yards out. Questions were raised about the foul as Kev Towey appeared to win the ball with his challenge but referee Ben Harrison disagreed and penalised the Widnes forward, ultimately leading to the visitors’ opener.

They should have doubled their lead seven minutes later, as Alexander played a dangerous pass over the top of the Widnes backline allowing Gareth Hill to race clear but the Chadderton man could only shoot straight at ‘keeper Kris Leigh.

Widnes were then forced into a change as Dale Davies limped off 38 minutes into his debut, with Jack Graham introduced as his replacement.

On the stroke of half-time, Chadderton doubled their lead. A goal that seemed to come from nothing as Matthew Landregan patiently engineered space on the edge of the box before finding the top corner with a delightful finish, leaving ‘keeper Leigh with no chance.

Half-time: Widnes 0-2 Chadderton

Widnes needed a reaction in the second-half and came close to an equaliser. Debuting striker George Lomax rose highest to head a Luke J Edwards corner over the bar from inside the 6-yard area.

Despite Widnes’ decent start to the half, Chadderton increased their lead on the 56-minute mark. The ball came out to earlier goalscorer Alexander, who chested the ball down before finding the bottom corner with a rasping drive beyond goalkeeper Leigh, whose vision was perhaps impaired as the ball flew through the crowd of bodies before nestling in the bottom corner.

Widnes looked for an immediate reply as Laverty’s cross was met by Towey on the edge of the area who could only slice his effort shot wide on the volley. In truth, Towey’s missed chance perfectly summed up Widnes’ day.

Shortly afterwards, Chris Lomax showed a good turn of pace to race away from his man before being fouled just outside the area. Towey stepped up and forced Smith into a good save with his free-kick.

From the resulting corner, Laverty’s delivery was headed over by George Lomax as Widnes went in search of a goal.

Widnes eventually pulled a goal back on the 74-minute mark. George Lomax’s persistence in-front of goal paid off as a good delivery from sibling Chris allowed George to peel away from his man and head home from short-range. The brothers linked up for a goal in their first appearances since arriving from St Helens Town earlier in the week.

However, Lomax’s goal turned out to be merely a consolation as Chadderton restored the 3-goal cushion 12 minutes from time. Matthew Crothers, who was Man of the Match in the previous meeting between the two sides in August, came back to haunt Widnes again as he was on the end of Vincent Howells through ball before finding the bottom corner with a tidy finish.

Fulltime: Widnes 1-4 Chadderton

Widnes’ next outing comes on Wednesday night as Joey Dunn takes charge of the team for the first time at Cheadle Town; 7.45pm kick-off.

Widnes: Kris Leigh, Dale Davies (Jack Graham 38), Luke Edwards, Luke J Edwards, Tom Mitchell, Mike Burke, Kev Towey, Jason McShane (James McShane 62), George Lomax, Danny Laverty, Chris Lomax.

Subs not used: Ryan Malone, Joe Fielding, Matt Rigby.