Cheadle Town 2-0 Widnes

A penalty from Thabiso Magida and a late strike from substitute Luke Pearson ensured that Cheadle Town condemned Widnes to their 7th league defeat this season, with Steve Hill’s side falling to 15th in the North West Counties Football League First Division, without a win in their last 4 outings.

After a tight first-half, Cheadle took the lead 10 minutes into the second half as Thabiso Magida converted a spot-kick for the hosts after Widnes defender Jordan Stanley brought down Darryl Mason in the area. Substitute Luke Pearson then sealed it for Cheadle three minutes from time, as he beat Whites’ keeper Ben Morrow with a shot at his near-post.

Widnes manager Steve Hill made three changes to the side that drew 3-3 at Whitchurch Alport last time out. Both Anthony Wynne and Paul Carney returned after one-game absences as they came in for Connor Willis and Braian Strutz-Rivelli, with both players dropping to the bench. Jordan Stanley also came into the back-four as he replaced the injured Danny Lomax.

The first-half was fairly quiet as both sides settled down into the game. Jordan Stanley was booked early on for Widnes with the first meaningful effort on goal not coming until 16 minutes in, as Cheadle midfielder Liam Tongue drilled an effort wide of the mark.

Cheadle bossed possession early as Widnes relied on the pace of Luke Edwards, Alex Davies and Jamil Campbell-Joseph to answer the attacking threats from the host on the counter-attack. Town nearly took a 20th minute lead as Thabiso Magida’s cross into the area was flicked towards goal by Darryl Mason which needed a vital interception from Widnes’ Paul Carney to avert any danger.

Widnes rarely tested Cheadle keeper Andy Samberg throughout the opening period. Luke Edwards pulled a cross back into the path of Jamil Campbell-Joseph whose shot on goal was charged down in the 6-yard area. Campbell-Joseph had time to think about his effort and he probably should have scored.

Minutes later, Widnes keeper Ben Morrow was called into action, as he pulled off an impressive save to push away a long-range free-kick from Chris Sherrington. Antony Trucca threatened minutes later, as he fired a shot on goal that was promptly beaten away by the young shot-stopper.

Widnes always looked dangerous on the break with the pace of Edwards and Davies on each flank. The former linked up well with Danny Burthem on the right-hand side as Burthem delivered a cross towards the back-post that was turned wide on the volley by the late-arriving Davies.

Halftime: Cheadle Town 0-0 Widnes

The second-half began in similar fashion to the first, as both sides were content with vying for possession and gaining a firm foothold in the game.

Cheadle were awarded a penalty 10 minutes into the half as Darryl Mason burst into the area before being brought down by a sliding challenge from Jordan Stanley, who was fortunate not to have been shown a second yellow card for the foul. Town’s Thabiso Magida stepped up and confidently stroked his spot-kick home to give his side the lead.

Manager Hill promptly recognised that Stanley was on thin ice and with an important run of games ahead, Steven Clarke was introduced in place of the cautioned defender.

Minutes later, he made the same decision with George McGrogan, who was being troubled by the pace of Mason and Sherrington going forward. McGrogan who had been booked, was substituted in favour of Jamie Casson as Hill attempted to protect his defender.

Keeper Ben Morrow then made an uncharacteristic error as he skewed his clearance into the path of Richard Whyatt, who dragged his effort across the face of the empty goal and wide.

Frustration then began to set in for Widnes, as both Casson and Campbell-Joseph received cheap yellow cards. Hill attempted to rejuvenate his side’s offensive prowess. Connor Willis came on in place of Danny Burthem, with Willis forming a front 3 with Wynne and Campbell-Joseph, as Edwards, Davies and Clarke formed a midfield trio.

Both sides came close to scoring as the game approached the final whistle. Widnes skipper Tom Mitchell blocked a shot from Whyatt before Tongue drilled an effort over. Down the other end, Widnes came extremely close to finding an equaliser as Campbell-Joseph’s opportunistic flick towards goal was cleared off the line.

Widnes began to pile on the pressure. Campbell-Joseph did well down the right to pick out Paul Carney with a pass who forced a comfortable save out of Samberg. Moments later, substitute Connor Willis tested Samberg, as his header from a Luke Edwards free-kick forced a solid save out of Cheadle’s keeper.

Despite the pressure from Widnes, Cheadle sealed the win three minutes from time. Substitute Luke Pearson netted a controversial winner as he drove past Casson into the area before appearing to run the ball out of play. The Widnes defence stopped but Pearson got back to his feet and drilled an effort into the bottom corner to the fury of The Whites’ defence.

Fulltime: Cheadle Town 2-0 Widnes

Widnes’ latest defeat means that Steve Hill’s side have fallen to 15th in the table, despite glimpses of quality in wins over Barnton and Stockport Town in recent weeks. Their latest league position is reflective of Widnes' start to the season.

Next week marks a break from league action as Widnes travel to Staffordshire as they take on Hanley Town in the Reusch First Division Cup.

Cheadle Town: Samberg (GK), Vincent, Magida, Trucca (C), Birch, Dunn, Hincks, Tongue (Jones 80), Mason, Whyatt, Sherrington (Pearson 65).

Subs not used: McLaughlin, Nsimbe, Naughton.

Widnes: Morrow (GK), McGrogan (Casson 62), Carney, Stanley (Clarke 57), Mitchell (C), Cartwright, Davies, Burthem (Willis 67), Wynne, Campbell-Joseph, Edwards.

Subs not used: Strutz-Rivelli, Hartley (GK).