REPORT | Widnes 2-0 Avro

Two superb second half strikes from Sean Miller helped deliver a first win in three for Widnes against a stubborn Avro side at the DCBL Stadium.

This was a contest between two of the Northern Premier League West’s best defences statistically and so it proved with two moments of Miller magic ultimately proving decisive with few clear-cut chances for either team.

He rifled home his first after 53 minutes, beating Grant Shenton into his bottom right-hand corner while his second, a sumptuous volley, was a simply stunning effort to ensure all three points.

Manager Michael Ellison made six changes from the side held at Chasetown last time out, including an enforced change in goal.

Cameron Terry dropped out of the squad due to illness early Saturday morning, with youngster Joe Mason, who made seven appearances for the Whites in the autumn, stepping in after answering a phone call to play at 11:30am.

Impressively, Mason had kept a clean sheet less than 24 hours earlier playing for FC St Helens in the North West Counties Division One North on Friday night.

Elsewhere, Louis Isherwood, George Hassall, Kingston Fligg, Ste Milne and the injured Will Jones made way with Josh High, Jack Byrne, James Steele, Kris Holt and skipper Ste Irwin earning recalls.

Avro made a positive start. Kyle Hawley drilled an early effort well over the bar while Matty Crothers had a deflected volley comfortably saved by Mason.

Widnes responded and were unfortunate not to take an 18th minute lead.

Geffry Ebhote made a mess of a long ball by Byrne and Miller nipped in ahead of him, but he couldn’t quite direct his header beyond Shenton who made a routine save.

Miller went close again 10 minutes later, striking the foot of the post with a free-kick moments before Jack Anderton struck the crossbar for Avro via a cross-shot.

The game was desperately lacking quality and it was hoped that a half-time downpour and a slick pitch would make for a better second half.

And so it proved with Widnes taking the lead just eight minutes after the restart.

Avro defender Cheikh Thiam poked the ball away from High only as far as Miller, who was afforded far too much time and space to find the far corner with an excellent effort, leaving Shenton with no chance.

Miller added his second 14 minutes later.

A loose ball sat up kindly for the Widnes talisman and he swung at it, sending the ball screaming past the helpless Shenton and into the right-hand side of the Avro goal.

Byrne almost added a third, heading over from a Miller corner, while at the other end, Mason did well to close down the angle to deny Bebeto Gomes.

The win for Widnes moves them up to seventh in the NPL West, five points behind Witton Albion in the final play-off place with a game in-hand.