Widnes 1-2 Holker Old Boys

Substitute Jamie Casson was sent off 10 minutes from time as Widnes FC were beaten 2-1 at home by Holker Old Boys at the Select Security Stadium.

Philip Coombes opened the scoring for the visitors with a well-taken volley from a corner before Alex Davies netted his 10th goal of the season to ensure that the sides were level at the break.

However, it was Holker who picked up all 3 points as John-Paul Stanway converted an incisive breakaway for The Stags 15 minutes from time before Casson was dismissed as Widnes were defeated for the 3rd consecutive game in all competitions.

Widnes manager Steve Hill made two changes to the side that lost 2-1 at Hanley Town the previous week, Jordan Stanley replaced the injured George McGrogan in the back-four whilst Anthony Wynne lead the line for the hosts, coming in for the suspended Jamil Campbell-Joseph.

Widnes started the game brightly, and came close to taking an early lead. Inside the opening two minutes, Luke Edwards and Ronnie McCarthy linked up from a short corner, as McCarthy drilled a shot towards goal with his effort being headed off the line.

In very wet conditions at the Select Security Stadium, both sides struggled to get into an early rhythm, particularly the Cumbrian visitors. A poor clearance from keeper Oliver Bell landed at the feet of Edwards whose shot on goal in the end was tame and comfortably gathered by the relieved Holker shot-stopper.

Against the run of play, The Stags took the lead. Troy Magee’s corner allowed skipper Philip Coombes to drift in towards the penalty-spot from a corner and acrobatically volleyed the ball beyond the outstretched Ben Morrow, into the bottom corner to give Holker the lead.

The goal swung the game into the visitors’ favour, who looked to increase their lead. Billy Moss should have done a lot better on the half-hour mark as he worked his way into the area before seeing a shot blocked and duly cleared by the Widnes defence.

Manager Hill was forced into a tactical change shortly afterwards as Connor Willis departed through injury to be replaced by Jamie Casson, who moved to right-back allowing Alex Davies to play in an advanced role on the right-wing.

Hill’s tactical change paid dividends 3 minutes later as Widnes equalised. Luke Edwards pulled the ball back to Paul Carney, who sliced a shot into the path of Alex Davies, who opportunistically flicked the ball past Bell to net his 10th goal of the season.

Halftime: Widnes 1-1 Holker Old Boys

Widnes started the second-half buoyed by their equaliser later in the opening 45 minutes. Luke Edwards cut inside from the left and dispatched the ball into the path of Jamie Casson who drilled a cross into the middle that no one could quite get on the end of. Casson was probably better served taking the shot on himself. Minutes later, Casson forced a corner that was headed into the gloves of Bell by captain Tom Mitchell.

Holker should have taken the lead on the hour-mark. Troy Magee forced a solid save out of Ben Morrow, with Bradley Hubbold squaring the ball into the path of Gareth Smith who turned the ball onto the crossbar from 1-yard out before Widnes managed to clear the danger.

Holker began to take control of the game in the remaining 30 minutes. John-Paul Stanway played a neat one-two with Hubbold before drawing Morrow into a good save. Minutes earlier, Hubbold himself had tested the Widnes keeper with a long-range free-kick that Morrow managed to push away from his goal.

Widnes’ play began to become laboured with fatigue setting in. This was evident with Carney, Mitchell, Cartwright and Casson all receiving bookings within a 10-minute period. Danny Lomax cheaply gave possession away with enabled Hubbold to pick out Magee who took his time before forcing Morrow into an excellent save.

Holker took the lead 14 minutes from time. An incisive breakaway from the visitors allowed Hubbold to feed John-Paul Stanway who rushed clear and promptly slotted the ball into the bottom corner to give his side a deserved lead.

Widnes had to find an equaliser, and the search became a lot more difficult as they were reduced to 10-men. The ball ran away from Jamie Casson who caught Guy Heffernan as the Holker defender played the ball. Referee Bilal Moosa showed Casson his second yellow card with Casson receiving his first red card in a Widnes shirt.

With the one man disadvantage, Widnes never really looked like levelling the scoreline as the Cumbrian outfit eventually held on for all 3 points.

Fulltime: Widnes 1-2 Holker Old Boys

The defeat condemns Widnes to their 5th loss in their last 6 games in all competitions. It is a winless run that stretches back to last month, with Widnes’ 6-1 over Stockport Town being their last victory.

There is no game for Widnes next week, with their last confirmed outing being a trip to Daisy Hill on Saturday 28th November.

Widnes: Morrow (GK), Davies (Burthem 86), Carney, Stanley, Mitchell (C), Cartwright, Willis (Casson 32), Lomax, Wynne, McCarthy, Edwards.

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

Holker Old Boys: Bell, Parker, Moss, Coombes (C), Heffernan, Bonner, Galloway, Smith, Stanway, Hubbold, Magee.

Subs not used: Redhead, Fawcett, Woodend.