REPORT | Blackpool U18s 3-6 Widnes

Two goals from Jamie Rainford helped Widnes to a 6-3 victory over Blackpool U18s at JMO Sports Park on Tuesday night.

Widnes raced into a two-goal lead as Chris Lomax and George Webster both netted, but the young Tangerines fought back to level the scoreline at 2-2 heading into the break.

Following the restart, Blackpool added a third to take the lead for the first time, only for Rainford to bag his first goal of the evening less than 90 seconds later to equalise for Widnes.

Rainford would add his second nine minutes into the second period, before further goals from Sam Sheen and joint manager Kev Towey clinched victory during a lively affair in Skelmersdale.

It was a fixture arranged at three days’ notice after Widnes’ scheduled friendly at Billinge was cancelled but a fixture against the League Two side’s U18s was finalised 24 hours before kick-off.

Co-bosses Towey and Steve Akrigg took the opportunity to hand starts to those who missed out in the Reusch Champions Cup win at Runcorn Linnets on Saturday. Phil Doran, Jay Roberts and Danny Ventre were all given the night off while Ben Hodkinson wasn’t risked due to injury.

It took less than 60 seconds for Widnes to take the lead as Chris Lomax put the away side ahead with a magnificent curling effort after Webster won possession on the edge of the Blackpool area.

Webster doubled Widnes’ advantage after 14 minutes with a well-taken effort of his own, meeting Rainford’s cut-back to find the top corner with a cushioned shot from the edge of the D.

It was a Blackpool side full of technically-gifted youngsters who had reached the last-four of the FA Youth Cup just four months earlier before losing out 7-2 on aggregate to Premier League side Arsenal.

They took advantage of a Richie Mottram error to pull a goal back only two minutes later as the Widnes goalkeeper was caught in possession on the edge of his own area, allowing the Tangerines’ No.8 to slot home into an empty net.

Rainford went close on the half-hour mark, latching on to Peter Doran’s forward pass only to see an effort well-saved. Bram Johnstone hit a follow-up shot wide.

Blackpool equalised on the stroke of half-time. No.11 breezed past Dylan Sweeney before squaring a cross into the six-yard area where No.10 was on-hand to turn home.

The teams hadn’t long returned from the half-time interval when Blackpool took the lead, with No.15 evading the offside trap to turn home from No.7’s cross.

Widnes’ one-goal deficit lasted for barely a minute, as Rainford peeled away from his man at the back-post to finish neatly from Webster’s cross.

Rainford added a second six minutes later. Towey was fouled in the build-up but Webster kept the ball alive as the referee waved advantage, squaring a neat pass to the former Colwyn Bay striker who found the top corner with a superb effort from 25 yards.

The impressive duo of Webster and Rainford were withdrawn on the hour as George Lomax and Sam Sheen were introduced from the bench, and it was the latter who would add a fifth for Widnes 15 minutes from time, hooking Johnstone’s cross into the far corner.

Towey added a sixth for Widnes inside stoppage time, latching on to a through-ball before lobbing the stranded goalkeeper with a well-taken finish.

Widnes’ pre-season programme ends on Saturday with a trip to Welsh side Prestatyn Town. Kick-off 3pm.

Widnes: Richie Mottram (GK), Peter Doran, Dylan Sweeney (Ben Cartwright 46), Elliott Jones, Steve Akrigg (Michael Grogan 46), Kev Pollard (c), Chris Lomax (Dale Korie-Butler 46), George Webster (Sam Sheen 60), Jamie Rainford (George Lomax 60), Kev Towey, Bram Johnstone

Subs not used: None