Widnes 6-1 Stockport Town

Widnes FC ran rampant on Saturday afternoon as they defeated Stockport Town 6-1 at the Select Security Stadium, humbling the North West Counties Football League newcomers in the process on National Non League Day in front of a crowd of 93.

A remarkable opening 5 minutes saw the hosts lead 2-0, as Jamil Campbell-Joseph and a spectacular lob from Danny Lomax stunned Stockport, who came into the game sitting in an automatic promotion spot. Town’s Luke Podmore pulled a goal back midway through the first-half, before Luke Edwards netted his third goal in a week to ensure that Widnes lead 3-1 at the break.

A further goal from Campbell-Joseph and a late brace from Paul Carney completed the rout, rewarding Widnes’ fluid and precise ball movement that offered Stockport little to no chance of getting anywhere near the ball.

Manager Steve Hill made two changes to the Widnes side that comfortably knocked Ashton Town out of the Liverpool Senior Cup on Monday Night. Jordan Stanley and Ronnie McCarthy both returned to the starting lineup, replacing Jamie Casson and Alessandro Zarrelli, with both players dropping to the bench.

The game burst out of the blocks as both sides looked dangerous in the opening stages. The visitors had the first clear-cut effort on goal as Nathan Neequaye, who netted 4 goals in 2 games against Widnes last term for Cheadle Town forced a solid save out of Ben Morrow.

Widnes took the lead 3 minutes into the game. Jamil Campbell-Joseph pressured Stockport defender Joseph Armstrong into a mistake as the Widnes striker stole the ball away from the Town man before advancing forward and drilling an effort into the bottom corner, netting his first goal of the season.

Widnes doubled their lead less than a minute later. Persistence in pressurising the Town defence again forced Stockport into an error, as goalkeeper Aaron Ashley could only half-clear a clearance that was intercepted by Danny Lomax, who promptly fired a shot towards goal from 30 yards out, lobbing the stranded Stockport shot-stopper. It was a spectacular goal from Lomax, who had netted his second goal in as many league games, a surprising record for a player who had failed to find the net in his first 40 games for the club.

The hosts had raced into an early lead, capitalising on a sloppy and slow start from Stockport, who looked uncomfortable on the ball in the early stages. An excellent period of possession for Widnes ended with Campbell-Joseph forcing a save out of Ashley as the game surpassed the 10-minute mark.

Following this point, the visitors started to settle down and look dangerous going forward. Striker Neequaye turned a Luke Podmore cross over the bar before Andrew Graham volleyed an effort over the bar from distance.

Town should have pulled a goal back midway through the first-half. Neequaye delivered a cross into the 6-yard area that was headed over by Matt German, who probably should have scored as he drifted away from his man and was left unmarked inside the area.

Stockport looked the more likely to score at this point and they did moments later. Luke Podmore worked his way into space for a shot that took a slight deflection that took the ball beyond the scrambling Ben Morrow and into the back of the net, bringing Town back into the game.

The game was a lot more even as it approached half-time. However, Widnes continued to look threatening as Luke Edwards and Alex Davies both saw shots on goal whistle wide and over.

Widnes restored their two-goal cushion on the stroke of half-time. Luke Edwards played a one-two with Ronnie McCarthy from a corner before unleashing a powerful drive towards goal that found the corner, leaving the outstretched Ashley with no chance. Edwards’ goal was his third goal in 7 days.

Halftime: Widnes 3-1 Stockport Town

The second half was more of the same, as Widnes continued to create chances and were briskly moving the ball around with relative ease.

The hosts were rewarded with a fourth goal shortly before the hour-mark. Tony Wynne did extremely well on the right-hand side to engineer space for a cross that was threaded into the 6-yard area, leaving the unmarked Jamil Campbell-Joseph with an easy opportunity to record his second goal of the afternoon, which he duly took.

It should have been 5-1 moments later. Campbell-Joseph turned provider as his cross into the middle met the head of Wynne, who could only divert the cross over the bar.

Stockport came close to pulling a goal back soon afterwards. Calum Finch clumsily fouled Town’s Ben Brooks just outside the penalty area, resulting in a free-kick in a dangerous area for the visitors. German bent the set-piece around the wall and forced a tremendous save out of Morrow, who did extremely well to tip the effort wide of the post.

A double substitution soon followed for Widnes, as Braian Strutz-Rivelli and George McGrogan replaced Calum Finch and Ronnie McCarthy, allowing Paul Carney to take up a more advanced role in midfield.

Hill’s tactical change soon produced dividends as Carney netted a fifth goal of the afternoon for Widnes. Tony Wynne was involved as he laid the ball off to Carney, who rifled an effort into the back of the net, recording his second goal of the season.

Widnes were evidently not done scoring goals, as they continued to mount the pressure on Stockport who simply could not apply pressure on the ball as The Whites moved the ball around for fun. The hosts saw multiple chances for a 6th go begging, as Wynne, Alex Davies and Edwards all went close for Hill’s side.

Widnes eventually found the net again 5 minutes from time. Paul Carney completed his brace and the rout as he rounded off excellent build-up play that he started and eventually finished with a delightful effort, slotting an shot on goal beneath Ashley, making it 6-1 in the process.

It should have been 7 less than a minute later. Edwards picked out Tony Wynne in the 6-yard area, who hit a shot over the bar on a half-volley. Wynne probably should have scored and it would have topped off an impressive performance from the Widnes striker.

Fulltime: Widnes 6-1 Stockport Town

Speaking after the game, Widnes manager Steve Hill was delighted with his side’s performance. “I’m made up. It was a very good performance. It was nice to have such an early lead and then to go on and score 6 was tremendous. We fully deserved this victory.”

Widnes have now beaten the top 3 sides in the division within the past month, an achievement Hill praised his team for accomplishing but urged them to keep their feet on the ground. “I think that feat goes to show that we have a team that can compete at the top end of the table. I do think we are currently in a false position, but we can’t just win certain games and not be up for others against teams who are around us in the table.”

Widnes: Morrow (GK), Stanley, Carney, Finch (Strutz-Rivelli 64), Mitchell (C), Lomax (Burthem 82), Davies, McCarthy (McGrogan 64), Wynne, Campbell-Joseph, Edwards.

Subs not used: Zarrelli, Casson.

Stockport Town: Ashley (GK), Mottershead, Podmore, Graham (Mills 68), Armstrong, Kay (C), Abreu (Amesbury 73), Scott (Valera 81), Neequaye, German, Brooks.

Subs not used: Johnson, Bridge.