Northwich Manchester Villa 2-3 Widnes

A brace from Ronnie McCarthy and yet another strike from Alex Davies ensured that Widnes FC recorded a 3-2 win against Northwich Manchester Villa, picking up their first win of the season at the Manchester Regional Arena, in the shadows of Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium.

After last week’s thrilling 3-3 draw at home to Whitchurch Alport, Steve Hill made four changes to his side ahead of the trip to Eastlands. Goalkeeper Gage Walsh was dropped by Hill after being sent off against Alport with his suspension not taking effect until Widnes’ next outing. Ben Morrow replaced the Australian shot-stopper, making his second debut for the club after completing a loan move from Prescot Cables.

Also making his debut was Italian midfielder Alessandro Zarrelli, who came in for the unavailable Jordan Stanley after also signing on loan from Scottish club St. Cuthbert Wanderers. Braian Strutz-Rivelli and Jamil Campbell-Joseph also returned to the starting eleven, replacing George McGrogan and Luke Edwards. Polish midfielder Michael Chojnicki and goalkeeper Grant Hartley had to wait for their debuts, earning places amongst the substitutes.

Widnes were forced into a change early, as midfielder Tom Hackett picked up an ankle injury inside the opening 10 minutes. Ellis Mavers replaced Hackett, making his first appearance this season.

Widnes started brightly and were positive going forward. Good build-up play from the visitors ended with Ronnie McCarthy sending a long-range shot over the bar. Minutes later, McCarthy linked up well with substitute Mavers before seeing his shot on goal well saved by Villa keeper Daniel Whitting.

Midway through the first-half, Widnes were awarded a penalty. After Daniel Burthem won a free-kick on the edge of the area, Ronnie McCarthy’s set-piece was blocked by an arm in the area. McCarthy stepped up himself, and confidently stroked his spot-kick into the back of the net, netting his first goal of the season.

Northwich equalised less than 3 minutes later. Former Widnes man Daniel Burns capitalised on a mistake by skipper Tom Mitchell before threading the ball through to Yousif Yousif who was bursting forward. Yousif promptly slotted the ball beyond the on-rushing visitors’ keeper Morrow, leveling for the hosts.

The equaliser prompted Widnes to suddenly become sloppy at the back, inviting pressure from Villa. Callum McGlynn dispossessed defender Braiain Strutz-Rivelli cheaply outside the area, with the Argentine’s blushes being spared as his shot on goal was denied by a great save from the debuting Morrow.

10 minutes from the break, Paul Carney drilled a free-kick into the 6-yard area that was begging for a touch that would result in a goal. However, the ball went untouched and was promptly cleared by NMV. Minutes afterwards, the hosts worked the ball through to Burns who managed to evade the offside trap before blazing his shot over the bar. The former Widnes man should have scored.

Widnes came close to taking the lead shortly before half-time. Good offensive play from the visitors saw the ball worked out wide to the in-form Alex Davies, who’s shot towards goal was sensationally tipped on to the post by keeper Whitting, denying Davies a 5th goal in as many games.

Halftime: Northwich Manchester Villa 1-1 Widnes

After a fairly even opening 45 minutes that left the fixture firmly in the balance, the game was there for the taking for both sides as the second half got underway.

Widnes regained the lead early in the second period in what was an excellent team goal. Striker Jamil Campbell-Joseph drifted out wide for the visitors, picking up the ball before advancing forward on the right. Campbell-Joseph managed to beat Emmanuel Dube-Palmer before playing the ball across the face of goal towards Ronnie McCarthy, who bagged his and Widnes’ second with a tidy finish inside the 6-yard area.

McCarthy was not finished there. Moments after the restart, the Widnes midfielder picked the ball up and fired a dipping shot on goal that wasn’t too far away.

10 minutes later, NMV’s Daniel Burns managed to get away from Paul Carney before unleashing a stinging shot towards goal that was well-saved by Ben Morrow.

Widnes were comfortable as time began to tick away, and their victory was all but sewn-up 7 minutes from time as the visitors increased their lead. Campbell-Joseph was again involved as played a wonderful lobbed pass into the feet of Alex Davies, who proceeded to volley a shot towards goal that dipped over Whitting and into the back of the net. Davies’ strike was 5th of the season and 5th in as many games.

Deep into stoppage time, NMV grabbed a consolation. Gavin Salmon was the scorer, as he went on a powerful run into the area before sending a venomous shot past the outstretched Morrow.

Despite a late flurry of pressure from Villa deep into 8 minutes of stoppage time, Widnes managed to hang on and pickup their first win of the season at the 7th attempt.

Fulltime: Northwich Manchester Villa 2-3 Widnes FC

Widnes will hope that their first victory can inspire them to build momentum and go on a good run. However, they’ll face an almighty challenge next time out, as they travel to Townfield to take on league leaders and favourites for the league title Barnton on Wednesday night.

Northwich Manchester Villa: Whitting, Suileman, Dube-Palmer, Freeman (C), Headlam (Salmon 71), Ansa-Palmer, Lassana, Grant, Yousif, McGlynn (Correia 63), Burns (Edwards 81).

Subs not used: Rushe, Hoy.

Widnes FC: Morrow, Davies, Carney, Strutz-Rivelli, Mitchell (C), Zarelli (Chojnicki 77), Lomax, Burthem, Campbell-Joseph, McCarthy, Hackett (Mavers 7 (McGrogan 69)).

Subs not used: Hartley.