Widnes 2-3 Northwich Manchester Villa

A late winner from Guy Ansa-Palmer secured all 3 points for Northwich Manchester Villa, as they defeated Widnes 3-2 at the Select Security Stadium, ending Widnes’ unbeaten home record.

The visitors lead 2-0 at the break as Gavin Salmon punished costly Widnes defending on two different occasions inside the opening 15 minutes. Widnes mounted a second-half comeback as goals from Luke Edwards and Alex Davies looked to have rescued at least a point for Steve Hill’s side before Guy Ansa-Palmer netted a bullet of a header in the 87 minute, securing all 3 points for Bill Prendergast’s side.

Widnes made three changes to the side that lost 3-2 at St Helens Town on Tuesday night. Michael Chojnicki returned from injury as he replaced George McGrogan at right-back. Ben Cartwright came in for Jordan Stanley, and debutant Connor Willis replaced the injured Jamil Campbell-Joseph.

Northwich took the lead inside the opening minute. Widnes defender Braian Strutz-Rivelli failed to head away a long-ball forward before playing an extremely poor pass that was intended for keeper Ben Morrow. The pass was incredibly tame allowing Gavin Salmon to pickup possession of the ball and fire an effort into the back of the net, beyond Morrow.

It was 2-0 inside the opening 15 minutes. Poor defending again from Widnes as a corner was only half-cleared with the ball breaking through to Gavin Salmon, who netted his second of the afternoon, drilling an effort into the far corner.

The visitors were the beneficiaries of an extremely poor start from Widnes. Gavin Salmon, being a Non-League veteran, made sure that he took advantage scoring with two excellent finishes.

Widnes grew into the game as it went on but Villa looked the more dangerous offensively. Dillon Norris curled a free-kick over before Salmon dragged an Emmanuel Dube-Palmer cutback across the face of goal and wide, failing to test shot-stopper Morrow.

Widnes had a penalty shout turned down midway through the opening half. Debutant Connor Willis tangled with NMV skipper Reece Headlam in the area, with the referee waving away Widnes protests.

Villa came extremely close to adding to their lead shortly after the hour-mark. Defender Norris took a quick free-kick that needed Ben Morrow to scramble across his goal line and produce a terrific save to tip the ball over the bar. Widnes were furious as the referee hadn’t blown the whistle with the hosts being completely unprepared for the set-piece.

It took 35 minutes before Widnes tested Northwich keeper Daniel Whiting. Alex Davies won possession before advancing towards goal and forcing a solid save out of Whiting before Danny Lomax tried his luck from distance with an effort that had Whiting scrambling towards the goal line to hook the ball away, before clutching it into his chest.

Halftime: Widnes 0-2 Northwich Manchester Villa

Widnes had a mountain to climb ahead of the second half. Hill’s side had struggled to get anything going throughout large parts of the opening 45 minutes against a disciplined and well-drilled Northwich Manchester Villa. Hill made two changes to his defensive line at the break, introducing Jamie Casson and Calum Finch in favour of Michael Chojnicki and Braian Strutz-Rivelli.

The second-half started in the same manner that presided over the first, with the visitors on top. Morrow was again called into action, as he had to get down well to beat away an effort from Salmon.

Widnes were an improved outfit in the second half and they pulled a goal back prior to the hour-mark. Tony Wynne did well on the right to play a pass into the feet of Luke Edwards, who advanced forward before curling an effort into the far corner beyond the outstretched Whiting, netting his 5th goal in as many games and his 8th of his debut campaign with The Whites.

Widnes were presented with a glorious opportunity to level the score line as they were awarded a penalty on the hour-mark. Tony Wynne was bundled over in the 6-yard area, forcing the referee to award a spot-kick to the hosts. The debuting Connor Willis confidently stepped-up, only to see his effort pushed away by a good save from Whiting.

NMV keeper Whiting was again called upon to maintain his side’s lead two minutes later. Danny Lomax played a tremendous cross into the area that was met by the head of Luke Edwards whose header was sensationally tipped away by Whiting who had pulled off a truly stunning save.

The pace of the game significantly slowed as time began to tick away as Widnes searched for an equaliser. Widnes were awarded a free-kick in a dangerous area, yards outside the penalty area as Paul Carney was tripped by Sven Gibson.

Alex Davies, who already has netted a free-kick this season, fancied his chances and was duly rewarded, as he managed to get his effort up and over the wall as the ball found the back of the net. Davies continued his phenomenal season with yet another goal, his 9th of the season.

Widnes had showed great character to rise from an early 2-0 deficit to look as though they’d rescued a point, setting up an extremely interesting final 10 minutes in which both sides pushed for a winner with Widnes seeming more likely to win the game.

Surprisingly, it was the visitors who found the winning goal. Widnes only half-cleared a corner that was eventually floated back into the area where the ball was met by a bullet of a header from Guy Ansa-Palmer, who left Morrow with no chance, securing all 3 points for Northwich Manchester Villa.

Fulltime: Widnes 2-3 Northwich Manchester Villa

Speaking after the game, Widnes manager Steve Hill was disappointed with his side’s start to the game but felt that their play warranted at least a point. “I thought it was a very competitive game in which we gave them a headstart that made it very difficult for us to get back into the game. However, with the missed penalty to take into account I thought we deserved at least a point. But, we haven’t picked up a point, so we have to move on to next week.”

Widnes now begin a road trip that spans over 3 consecutive games, with their first fixture of that spell being a journey down to Yockings Park in Shropshire as The Whites take on Whitchurch Alport.

Widnes: Morrow (GK), Chojnicki (Casson 46), Mitchell (C), Cartwright, Strutz-Rivelli (Finch 46), Lomax, Davies, Carney, Wynne, Willis, Edwards.
Subs not used: McGrogan, Burthem, Hartley (GK).

Northwich Manchester Villa: Whiting (GK), Sulieman, Norris (Martins 63), Grant, Headlam (Gibson 73), Ansa-Palmer, Dube-Palmer, Lassana, Salmon, Correira, Burns (Yousif 57).

Subs not used: Rushe, Freeman.