REPORT: Cheadle Town 1-4 Widnes

Widnes FC manager Joey Dunn got his managerial tenure off to a flying start as a brace from Chris Lomax alongside further strikes from Jack Graham and George Lomax ensured that Widnes ran-out 4-1 winners at Cheadle Town.

Sam Noar put Cheadle ahead on the 12-minute mark before Jack Graham equalised for Widnes less than 10 minutes later.

A seven-minute spell in the second half secured the points for Widnes, as Chris Lomax netted twice before George Lomax headed home from close-range 15 minutes from time to complete the scoring at Park Road.

Dunn made six changes to the Widnes side that were beaten 4-1 by Chadderton in the FA Vase. Debuts were handed to defenders Daniel Hand, Nathan Quinlan and Oladimeji Odesanya, whilst ‘keeper Richie Mottram, captain Kev Pollard and Jack Graham returned to the starting eleven.

The first-half was played at a frenetic pace that proved pivotal in the second-half. Cheadle came close to an early opener as Chris Sherrington’s corner made its way to Nathan Tosum at the back-post, who drifted away from his man before rattling the crossbar with his shot.

Widnes then came forward as Graham picked out Chris Lomax who forced a good early save out of ‘keeper Ben Jupp.
After a seven-game absence, Richie Mottram’s return to the Widnes lineup was welcomed and he was called into action early as Sam Noar sent a vicious drive towards goal that was instinctively beaten away by the Widnes ‘keeper.

Four minutes later, Noar made amends as he managed to evade the offside trap and got in behind the Widnes defence before steering his effort into the bottom corner to put Cheadle 1-0 up.

The hosts weren’t ahead long however as Widnes equalised midway through the first-half. Kev Towey was instrumental in the build-up as he worked his way into space before threading a pass through to Jack Graham, who promptly hammered home his first goal for the Club.

Shortly before the half-hour mark, Noar was presented with a glorious chance to double his account as he intercepted a poor Mottram clearance but the Widnes ‘keeper got down well to pull off an outstanding save to make up for his error.

Widnes had the ball for long periods of the first half, showing signs that new manager Dunn had already begun to implement his possession-based philosophy. Dunn’s side spurned a good chance to go ahead shortly before the break as Graham linked up with Chris Lomax who tried to play Towey in cleverly but Jupp was out quick to smother the cross.

Half-time: Cheadle Town 1-1 Widnes

The interval provided an opportunity for both players and spectators to take a breath after an utterly breathless opening 45 minutes of football.

The start of the second half was somewhat cagey with the first half-chance falling to Widnes as Towey linked up with Chris Lomax who saw his effort blocked by Cheadle’s Joe Shaw in a key area.

The aforementioned Lomax was lively throughout the game and should have found the net shortly before the hour-mark. Mottram’s long-ball forward allowed Lomax to get in behind the Cheadle defence as he attempted to lob Jupp but his finish was poor, allowing Jupp to easily gather the aerial ball.

Widnes eventually did take the lead midway through the second-half. Chris Lomax netted his first for the Club in some style, taking a touch before curling a beauty into the top corner.

Lomax netted his second five minutes later. Patient Widnes build-up reaped its rewards as the superb Luke J Edwards shifted the ball wide to Lomax, who dropped his shoulder before firing a venomous shot beneath the outstretched Jupp and in.

Widnes added a fourth 15 minutes from time, completing what was a fruitful 8-minute second half spell. Not to be outdone by his brother, George Lomax got in on the act as his fierce drive took a slight deflection before looping into the top corner as the younger Lomax brother found the net for the second consecutive game in a Widnes shirt.

Full-time: Cheadle Town 1-4 Widnes

With Dunn’s tenure getting off to an excellent start, Widnes are back in action on Saturday afternoon, kicking-off October with a trip to Alsager Town in the Macron Cup.

Cheadle Town: Jupp, Todd, Magida, German (C), Shaw, Waldron, Whyatt (Pearson 85), Tongue, Noar, Tosum (Webb 76), Sherrington (Hincks 73).

Subs not used: McLaughlin, Horan.

Widnes: Richie Mottram, Daniel Hand (Laverty 55), Nathan Quinlan, Oladimeji Odesanya, Tom Mitchell, Kev Pollard (Matt Rigby 78), Kev Towey (Luke Edwards 78), Jack Graham, George Lomax, Luke J Edwards, Chris Lomax.

Subs not used: Jason McShane, Dale Korie-Butler.