Widnes stepped up their pre-season preparations with a comfortable 5-1 victory over West Cheshire League side Maghull on Tuesday night.

George Lomax put Widnes ahead inside the opening two minutes with strike-partner Kev Towey increasing the visitors’ lead on the 15-minute mark.

Maghull pulled a goal back five minutes from the penalty spot before Widnes restored their two goal cushion as a Lomax cross was turned into his own net by a Maghull defender.

Substitute Chad Whyte continued his fine pre-season form as he sealed the win with a second-half brace.

Manager Joey Dunn continued to experiment with his squad ahead of the new season. Billy Webb was named amongst the substitutes for his first pre-season appearance after recovering from injury.

Widnes started brightly and translated that brightness into an opening goal. Chris Lomax hassled a Maghull defender into an error and advanced forward with the loose ball. He drilled a cross towards the back-post with George Lomax turning the ball home with a tidy finish.

Steve Akrigg then looked to replicate his sensational strike from Widnes’ opening pre-season win over New Mills two weeks ago. The defender picked the ball up from inside his own half and ambitiously sent a shot towards goal but the backpedalling Maghull ‘keeper managed to keep it out.

A second goal soon came for Dunn’s men. Colin Quirk’s deep corner was headed on by Akrigg with Kev Towey on-hand to nod home from close-range.

Maghull were then presented with a chance to equalise. Mike White dragged down his man inside the area after losing possession leaving the referee with little choice but to award the hosts a penalty which the Maghull No.2 confidently dispatched, sending Louie Mackin the wrong way.

Despite the setback, Widnes continued to steadily mount the pressure on the home side and it paid dividends. George Lomax engineered space with some clever footwork, but whipping a dangerous cross towards the near-post which was turned into his own net by the head of a Maghull defender.

The momentum continued as the half drew to a close, with Akrigg seeing a shot cleared off the line before George Lomax hit a half-volley over the bar. Substitute Whyte was then denied from point-blank range by a superb save from the Maghull ‘keeper.

With pre-season in full swing, Widnes elected not to make any changes at half-time and Dunn’s side continued to control proceedings.
Chris Lomax’s powerful volley on goal was pushed away to safety before George Lomax raced clear only to scuff his effort wide of the far-post.

Striker Whyte was making a nuisance of himself up-front when he added a fourth for his side following the hour-mark. Quirk was instrumental as he patiently waited for an opportunity to thread a well-weighted ball through to Whyte who applied a composed finish down to the ‘keeper’s right.

Widnes were then denied by the woodwork and then the offside flag as Quirk’s delicate chip came back off the bar with Alex Davies being flagged offside as he turned the rebound home from close-range.

Chances came and went for both sides as time petered away but there was to be a fifth for the visitors. Anthony Beyga raced clear down the channel into space and pulled his cross back to Whyte who rolled the ball into an empty net, adding gloss to a solid evening’s work for Widnes.

Widnes complete their pre-season preparations with a tough trip to Welsh Premier League side Cefn Druids on Saturday. Kick-off 2.30pm.

Widnes: Mackin (Cookson 88), Roberts, Davies (Graham 79), White, Burke, Akrigg (Donohue 79), Towey (Whyte 17), Edwards, G. Lomax (Webb 79), C. Lomax (Beyga 71), Quirk.

Subs not used: None.

Match Preview

Match details

Match date

Kickoff

Team Sponsors