Irlam 4-1 Widnes

Widnes FC were left to lament their defensive woes on Saturday as they were comfortably beaten 4-1 at Silver Street by Irlam, who continued their good start to the new league season, returning to the top of the table.

The result means that Widnes’ wait for a first league win of the season continues ahead of next Saturday’s fixture at home to NWCFL newcomers Whitchurch Alport.

Steve Hill made four changes to the side that lost 4-3 at Hanley Town one week prior. Jordan Stanley and Danny Lomax returned to the side having been unavailable for the trip to Staffordshire, as they came in for Josh Williams and Tom Hackett. Argentine defender Braian Sturtz-Rivelli was handed a debut by Hill, as he came in for Gary Williams who dropped to the bench.

Irlam took the lead inside the opening 5 minutes. Tom Russell did well down the left to shake off the challenge of George McGrogan and pull the ball back into the path of Jordan Icely, who tucked the ball away past Widnes keeper Gage Walsh.

Conceding early goals remain a problem for Widnes, something manager Hill will be looking to eradicate in the coming weeks.

It was a fairly quiet first half of the opening 45 minutes of football, with both sides creating little opportunities going forward. The visitors were sloppy in possession, working well to win the ball back before cheaply giving it away.

Danny Lomax had Widnes’ first-real shot on goal 30 minutes into the game, with a fierce drive going over the bar.

Irlam doubled their advantage minutes later with what was a really poor goal to concede from Widnes’ point-of-view. Jordan Icely’s corner from the left evaded everyone and found its way into the back of the net, in off the post. Widnes keeper Walsh came for the ball and failed to collect, becoming stranded in no man’s land as the ball crept in.

Widnes came close to instantly hitting back 10 minutes from the break. Luke Edwards burst forward towards the penalty area for the visitors before being brought down by Ryan Longworth. Jamil Campbell-Joseph took the free-kick, blazing his effort over.

Halftime: Irlam 2-0 Widnes

Despite the halftime deficit, the sides were evenly matched. Widnes will rue the manner in which they conceded, which put them on the back foot early.

The visitors started the second half positively. Edwards went on a marauding run down the left before cutting the ball back towards the penalty spot, winning a corner that eventually came to nothing.

Irlam threatened moments later. Goalscorer Icely robbed Widnes debutant Sturtz-Rivelli of possession, with the ball falling to midfielder Russell who volleyed his effort over the bar.

Widnes defender McGrogan tried his luck from distance on the hour-mark, forcing a solid save out of Irlam shot-stopper Lee White.

Moments later, Irlam should have extended their lead. Widnes keeper Walsh was beaten to the ball by Gareth Mooney, who pulled the ball back into the path of Isaac Illidge, who drove his shot straight at Walsh, who was fortunate that the Irlam forward struck the ball straight at the Australian. It was a real chance for the hosts to put the game beyond all doubt.

Widnes then came close themselves. Jamil Campbell-Joseph, who had a relatively frustrating game up in front of goal until this point, engineered space for a shot that forced a good save out of White, who got down well to deny the effort from the Widnes striker.

Illidge atoned for his earlier error in front of goal by putting Irlam further ahead 20 minutes from time. He received the ball in the area, turning out of trouble before rounding keeper Walsh and firing the ball into the roof of the net in what was a really well-worked goal from the hosts.

It was 4-0 five minutes later. Good play down the left from the hosts lead to Adam Campbell brushing off McGrogan before finding the unmarked Gareth Mooney, who arrived late in the area before slotting the ball beyond the rooted Gage Walsh with a very tidy finish.

Widnes netted a consolation 10 minutes from time. Alex Davies did well down the right to pick out Paul Carney with his cross. Carney opened up space for a shot that found the bottom corner, beating the outstretched White to bag his second goal in as many games.

This spurned Widnes on to have their best spell of the game. The final 10 minutes of the encounter saw the visitors enjoy some sustained pressure, as they showed some quality going forward. However, it was too little too late, as the hosts had already sewn up all three points.

Fulltime: Irlam 4-1 Widnes

Speaking after the game, Widnes manager Steve Hill was disappointed with his side’s performance. “It was a poor performance. We give some silly goals away and our passing was off. There were a few new faces in the side but that’s no excuse. Irlam were the better team on the day. We have to learn from this and move on.”

Widnes return to the Select Security Stadium next time out as they host NWCFL newcomers Whitchurch Alport at the earlier kick-off time of 1pm.

Widnes: Walsh, McGrogan (Casson 76), Mitchell ©, Stanley, Sturtz-Rivelli, Burthem, Davies, Lomax, Campbell-Joseph, Edwards, Carney.

Subs not used: Williams, Hynes, Cork.

Irlam: White, Lomas, Peters, Longworth © (Davies 68), Cassell, Kpohogmou, Mooney, Russell, Campbell (Grimshaw 79), Illidge, Icely.

Subs not used: Holt, Southworth.