REPORT: Alsager Town 3-5 Widnes

A Kev Towey hat-trick – sandwiched by a George Lomax brace – ensured that Widnes FC progressed to the Second Round of the Macron Cup with a 5-3 win at Alsager Town.

Joey Dunn’s side were pegged back on three different occasions by the Bullets who cancelled out George Lomax’s 17-minute opener almost immediately through Leigh Skellern. Kev Towey then buried a penalty midway through the first half as Widnes went in at half-time 2-1 up.

Alsager started the second half well and quickly equalised for a second time as Mark Grice volleyed home from close-range. Towey netted his second 10 minutes later before Taylor Attrell headed home shortly before the hour-mark.

Towey completed his hat-trick on the 64-minute mark with a second penalty before Lomax headed home his second to secure the victory eight minutes from time.

Manager Dunn made one change to the team that started at Cheadle Town on Wednesday night as Mike Burke came in for Tom Mitchell who dropped to the bench. Luke Edwards’ departure to St Helens Town on Friday allowed for George Webster to return to the squad as a substitute.

The early stages were particularly cagey before Widnes ‘keeper Richie Mottram was called into action twice in two minutes. Taylor Attrell’s free header was comfortably gathered by the Widnes No.1 before Mottram blocked a Mark Grice shot from close-range shortly afterwards.

Widnes took the lead on the 17-minute mark. Mottram’s long-ball forward released George Lomax where the striker was allowed to bring the ball down and exchange passes with strike-partner Towey before finding the bottom corner with a neat finish.

Widnes were caught napping from the ensuing kick-off as Alsager quickly levelled. Mark Grice found himself in behind the Widnes backline, squaring the ball to Leigh Skellern in the process who slotted the ball home.

The spectators weren’t given a chance to catch their breath before Widnes were awarded a penalty. Earlier goalscorer Lomax latched on to a Danny Hand through-ball but he was brought down by Alsager’s Jamie Mountford before he could pull the trigger. Kev Towey stepped up and confidently dispatched the spot-kick.

Lomax looked lively throughout the first-half and nearly created a third for Widnes as he took on Warren Holmes before swinging a dangerous delivery into the area that was just a shade ahead of Towey.

Late in the half, Towey linked up with Chris Lomax as the latter forced a decent save out of Alsager keeper Chris Fletcher from close-range.

Half-time: Alsager Town 1-2 Widnes

Whatever was said by Alsager manager Wayne Brotherton at half-time made an instant impact as the hosts levelled for the second time in the game. Ally Harrison-Virani’s long-ball over the top released Mark Grice, who took the ball down well before firing a volley on goal that nestled in the back of the net.

The Lomax brothers then shared half-chances as George fired one over before Chris shot wide after passes were exchanged between Hand and Luke J Edwards.

Widnes then regained the lead as superb football from the visitors allowed Chris Lomax to get in behind and force a save out of Fletcher before Kev Towey arrived to sweep home the rebound.

Two of Widnes’ three leads on the day lasted less than three minutes as Alsager quickly found another equaliser shortly before the hour-mark. A corner was floated in from the right that was Taylor Attrell headed against the post before the ball ricocheted off of an ankle and in.

Despite being pegged back three times, Widnes’ heads never dropped and they were soon back in front. Dunn’s side again played some neat football allowing substitute Joe Fielding to race clear before being brought down by Harrison-Virani as Widnes were awarded a second penalty.

Towey took the penalty and went the same way with the same result as the striker completed his third hat-trick of the season.

With 20 minutes to go, Widnes survived a scare as Tim Sanders’ free-kick was dropped by Mottram inside the 6-yard area with Alsager substitute poking the ball home only to be denied by the flag of the assistant referee on the far side.

Alsager pressed for a fourth equaliser but Widnes were the next to find the net, all-but securing their passage eight minutes from time. Another superb team goal as Hand waited patiently before releasing Jack Graham who floated a cross towards the back-post where George Lomax rose highest to head home what turned out to be the winner.

Lomax has started his Widnes career in fine form since arriving from St Helens Town last month, netting three goals in his first three appearances.

Manager Dunn then introduced Matt Rigby and Tom Mitchell as Widnes looked to see the game out. Towey forced a good save out of Fletcher from a free-kick as the visitors avenged August’s defeat at home to Alsager with victory in the Cup.

Full-time: Alsager Town 3-5 Widnes

Widnes’ reward for Saturday’s victory is a home game against Cheadle Town in the Second Round. That game will be played on Saturday 29th October.

In the meantime, Widnes face a tough trip to Whitchurch Alport on Tuesday night.

Widnes: Richie Mottram, Daniel Hand, Nathan Quinlan (Joe Fielding 53), Oladimeji Odesanya, Mike Burke, Kev Pollard (C), Kev Towey (Matt Rigby 87), Luke J Edwards (Tom Mitchell 87), George Lomax, Jack Graham, Chris Lomax.

Subs not used: Danny Laverty, George Webster.