REPORT | Newcastle Town 1-3 Widnes

Widnes passed a stern test of their credentials with a convincing 3-1 win away at Newcastle Town.

The Whites were two goals to the good at half time through strikes from Kris Holt and James Steele, and substitute Josh High sealed all three points 20 minutes from time.

Newcastle did grab a consolation through Jake Avery but Widnes held on for a third successive win, increasing the aggregate scoreline during their winning run to 12-1.

This was the perfect possible start to a tough-looking February for Michael Ellison’s side.

They were worthy victors away from home against a resurgent Castle side, who were previously unbeaten in their first five games under new boss Neil Baker, conceding just twice in the process.

Stalybridge Celtic, Witton Albion and Chasetown all lie ahead for Widnes… three teams in that cluster of sides forming in and around those play-off positions.

Widnes were without Will Jones, Niall Battersby and Brendan O’Brien who were all ruled out with injury.

Jack McGowan and Jack Byrne returned to full fitness to start while Holt earned a recall to start in midfield alongside Ste Irwin.

It was Holt who gave Widnes the lead from 19 minutes from time, striding into the area to side-foot a volley inside of the near-post from a deflected Steele cutback.

Town responded well and it took a superb sliding intervention from skipper Irwin to deny Thomas Jones a decent sight of goal.

Sean Miller then floated a free-kick narrowly wide of the upright, while Irwin again contributed defensively at the other end, making sure he was in the way of a Jacob Twyford effort.

Castle saw more of the ball and probed in the first half but came unstuck when attempting to penetrate Widnes’ stout defensive line.
Their best chance came via a set-piece and Steele turned defender to clear a flick-on off the line.

The Whites upped their tempo as the half drew to a close as Matty Rain whipped a wicked delivery into the area that was helped just wide of the post by a Newcastle defender, while McGowan couldn’t get a shot away from the resulting corner.

Ellison’s team took the lead in the second of three added on stoppage time minutes.

McGowan evaded the offside trap and surged into the area, twisting and turning only to strike the foot of the post.

But Steele reacted quickly to turn home from the rebound into an empty net to send Widnes in at the break in a really strong position.
The game’s third goal was always going to be crucial in the second half.

Castle would search for a lifeline and an opportunity to get back into the contest, but the best they could hope for was an Isaac Graham snapshot that was beaten away by Cameron Terry.

Widnes had their chances too, with Steele shooting over from inside the area while McGowan volley over from close range from a corner.
The third goal of the game went the way of the Whites.

As the rain drove down, Irwin intercepted a pass in midfield and quickly released substitute High in behind.

The youngster was a handful of yards onside and confidently finished beyond Joseph Slinn – his third goal in four games in all competitions since the turn of the year.

Castle replied four minutes later when Avery found himself the wrong side of Will Bell to shoot beyond Terry.

The goal lifted the hosts but Widnes were resolute and solid enough to see the game out to record a valuable three points.