Widnes edge out Cheadle in 8-goal thriller at Park Road

Widnes came into the game off the back of a 2-0 defeat to AFC Emley in the FA Vase last weekend. They have however been building an impressive run of form up until that fixture, having won two of their last three games in all competitions. Cheadle Town also came into the game in decent form. They had lost only one of their last five games, a 4-2 away defeat to the unbeaten Atherton Collieries after opening up the season with three losses in their first four games.
It was a cagey start to the game as neither side looked like they’d be threatening on goal anytime soon. This made it fitting that the opening goal came out of nothing. Widnes were the side to open the scoring, as defender Tom Mitchell picked up a loose ball on the half-way line before dribbling past two Cheadle midfielders fairly easily which led to an absolutely tremendous goal as his 25-yard effort whistled past goalkeeper Liam Warner into the bottom corner.
The cagey start to the game didn’t change with the goal as Mitchell’s opener was the only shot on goal within the opening ten minutes. Cheadle had their first shot on goal shortly after the ten-minute mark, as Luke Pearson floated a free-kick towards the back post where captain Antony Trucca headed wide of David Nevitt’s goal.
The home side gained control of the game thereafter as it took a fantastic challenge from Widnes’ Paul Carney to prevent a shot on goal by Nathan Neequaye. Their pressure paid off as midway through the first half, Cheadle equalised through a screamer of their own, as midfielder Ashley Smallwood unleashed a 30-yard pile driver that flew past goalkeeper Nevitt into the top corner.
They weren’t in the lead long as Widnes regained their one-goal advantage shortly afterwards as forward Joel Douglas was brought down in the area. Widnes captain Ronnie McCarthy stepped up and duly dispatched the penalty in the bottom corner to give Widnes a 2-1 lead.
It took two strokes of luck for Cheadle goalkeeper Liam Warner to prevent Widnes from running away with the game. Firstly, Warner was caught in no man’s land after failing to collect a ball into the box. However, his blushes were spared as Joel Douglas’ attempted chip was routinely cleared away by Lewis Smith. The Gods were kind to the ‘keeper again minutes later, as he fumbled a Bradley Williams cross into the path of James Ludgate who could not manage to get a shot away on goal.
Cheadle goalscorer Smallwood nearly scored his second screamer of the night moments later, as his long-range effort struck the crossbar in what was a fantastic strike of the football.
Widnes were next to threaten as Bradley Williams tried a long-range effort of his own that curled inches wide of the post. However, Cheadle equalised in first half stoppage time as Niall Cannon played a great cross into the 6-yard area that was met by the head of Nathan Neequaye, who converted brilliantly to peg Widnes back seconds before the half time whistle.
Despite this, the late goal failed to affect the away side as great individual play from Alex Davies forced a corner which led to Widnes’ third goal of the night, as Ronnie McCarthy’s found Joel Douglas, who rose above the crowded penalty area to head in his sixth league goal of the season.
Widnes’ third lead of the night didn’t last longer than five minutes, as a penalty was awarded for a dubious foul on Cheadle’s Nathan Neequaye. Neequaye couldn’t convert his penalty, as David Nevitt made an excellent save. However, he couldn’t prevent the striker from tucking away the rebound and scoring his second goal of the evening.
The goal fest showed no signs of slowing down and on the hour-mark, the game became a 7-goal thriller as Widnes winger Bradley Williams went on an impressive, powerful run. It looked like he had worked his way into a bit of trouble, before he brilliantly turned away from two oncoming defenders to unleash a brilliant shot into the roof of Warner’s goal.
Williams’ goal seemed to deflate Cheadle which was proven true as Widnes added their fifth goal three minutes later. Williams again played a crucial role as his long-range shot struck the bar. The ball fell to Graham Molloy who turned the ball home to give Steve Hill’s side a much-needed two goal cushion.
It was nearly six for Widnes moments later, as Joel Douglas broke away from Cheadle’s backline to go one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Douglas managed to roll his shot past Warner but he was mightily unfortunate, as the ball struck the post.
It took a great save from Widnes’ Nevitt to deny Nathan Neequaye his hat-trick, as the striker wonderfully brought down a cross to strike towards goal. However, the former Avon Athletic goalkeeper was up to the task, as he brilliantly pushed the ball away to safety. Widnes managed to gain control of the game from that point onwards and hold out for their third league victory of the season.
Manager Ste Hill was delighted with his side’s performance. “I thought it was a good game. I’m made up with the victory as it’s the first time we’ve beaten them. I liked the way they never give up and up until 3-3 I thought it was anyone’s game. I just thought it was a really good performance from the lads from the first minute up until the last.”
Hill was also asked about his side’s upcoming run of fixtures, that sees them play a further two games this week. “I think the lads need to prepare properly for Saturday’s game at Irlam and then Monday night’s game at home. So definitely, I think it will have a massive effect on the team.”
Widnes will now face Irlam away from home on Saturday afternoon, with a home game on Monday Night against Ashton Town to follow on.
Report by Callum Chadwick