REPORT: Charnock Richard 1-4 Widnes

Widnes FC will face local rivals City of Liverpool in the semi-final of the Reusch First Division Cup, after making a statement of intent with a 4-1 quarter-final victory over Charnock Richard at Mossie Park.

Widnes lead 1-0 at the break as Tom Mitchell opened the scoring on the half-hour mark before Charnock skipper Joshua Norgate equalised midway through the second half.

However, the scoreline was level for all of three minutes as George Lomax restored Widnes’ lead before two late strikes from debutant Karl Ledsham and Chris Lomax booked Joey Dunn’s side a place in the last four.

Manager Dunn made four changes to the side that beat Winsford United on Monday night. Mike Burke, Kev Towey and Jack Graham all dropped to the bench and were replaced by Daniel Hand, Ross McDowell and debutant Karl Ledsham whilst skipper Kev Pollard returned to replace Steve Akrigg who was rested.

Meanwhile, midfielder Steven Wilson was named amongst the substitutes following his move from AFC Fylde.
Widnes started slowly and were perhaps fortunate not to have conceded two goals in the opening 10 minutes.

Oliver Evans evaded the offside trap before forcing a decent save out of Richie Mottram inside the opening minute, before Carl Grimshaw fluffed his lines minutes later, as Mottram comfortably gathered his tame effort.

Widnes grew into the game and began to move the ball around quickly. Chris Lomax and Karl Ledsham exchanged neat passes with the Lomax driving a shot wide before Ledsham threatened shortly afterwards, scuffing an effort wide of the upright from distance.

The visitors began to control the game and deserved their opener on the half-hour mark. After a Widnes corner was cleared, Luke J Edwards hooked the ball back into the area with defender Tom Mitchell on-hand to bring the ball down and fire a shot on goal that took a heavy deflection before nestling in the back of the net.

Widnes weren’t too far away from a second on the stroke of half-time. Joe Fielding received a pass from Adam Weston on the far-side before driving down the channel, with his dangerous cross being diverted just wide by the late arriving Ledsham.

Halftime: Charnock Richard 0-1 Widnes

The second half was end to end as the hosts searched for an equaliser whilst Widnes looked for that elusive second goal that would provide them with a bit of a cushion.

Mottram was called into action as he comfortably saved a Grimshaw free-kick before his opposite number Adam Halton made a decent save to deny Ross McDowell after quick-feet from the Widnes forward created space for the shot.

The hosts equalised midway through the second period. Widnes failed to clear a corner that evaded the crowd of bodies gathered around the 6-yard area, making its way through to Charnock skipper Joshua Norgate at the back-post, who drilled a shot into the far corner.

However, the scoreline was only level briefly as Widnes restored their lead three minutes later. Chris Lomax made the extra effort to keep the ball in play, with his cutback finding brother George at the back-post, who was in acres of space tap home his 12th goal of the season.

Widnes could have wrapped things up 11 minutes from time. Debutant Ledsham saw a goalbound effort blocked on the line by Charnock defender Luke Gibson, before turning the rebound wide of the far-post.

With time not on their side, Charnock switched to a 3-5-2 system in order to find an equaliser. However, Widnes were unyielding, holding firm defensively as the hosts began to launch the kitchen sink.

Charnock’s attacked in numbers late on, which left Andy Westwell’s side susceptible defensively. Widnes capitalised on this and wrapped up the result with an incisive breakaway.

The ball was quickly worked wide to George Lomax who raced clear down the channel. A superb delivery from the striker picked out the unmarked Karl Ledsham, who kept his nerve to finish neatly Halton to mark his impressive debut performance with a goal.

Widnes added the icing on the cake inside second half stoppage time with their fourth goal of the afternoon.

George Lomax again got free down the flank and used his pace to engineer space for a cross that was turned home inside the 6-yard area by Chris Lomax, who netted his 12th goal of the season with a composed finish.

Fulltime: Charnock Richard 1-4 Widnes

Widnes have now won eight of their last 10 games in all competitions and are currently on a 7-match unbeaten run.

The semi-final tie with City of Liverpool will be contested over two legs, with the first leg being played at the Select Security Stadium in the New Year.

Next up for Widnes is a home game against Simon Burton’s Purples, which takes place on Monday night. Kick-off 7.45pm.

Widnes: Mottram, Hand (Graham 15), Fielding (Burke 82), Pollard (C), Mitchell, Edwards, McDowell (Wilson 88), Weston, G. Lomax, Ledsham, C. Lomax.

Subs not used: Towey, Freeman.