Daisy Hill 4-2 Widnes

Widnes FC have now gone 7 games without a league win as 10-man Daisy Hill edged Steve Hill’s side 4-2 at New Sirs in torrid conditions on Saturday afternoon.

An own goal from Danny Lomax and an Alex McPolin goal either side of a Ronnie McCarthy equaliser meant that 10-man Daisy Hill lead 2-1 at halftime, after goalkeeper John Cullen was shown a red card shortly before the break for a reckless challenge on Tony Wynne.

McCarthy netted his second to level the scoreline on the hour-mark before a delightful chip from Curtis Cummins, and a late strike from Matthew Davidson secured all 3 points for the hosts.

Widnes manager Steve Hill was forced into making four changes to the side that lost 2-1 at home to Holker Old Boys two weeks ago. Goalkeeper Ben Morrow was unavailable which meant that Grant Hartley made his debut appearance for the club. Braian Strutz-Rivelli replaced suspended skipper Tom Mitchell in the back-four whilst Daniel Burthem and Steven Clarke came into the midfield, coming for Jordan Stanley and the injured Connor Willis.

With Daisy Hill declaring the game on early that morning, conditions continued to deteriorate as kick-off approached, as the rain continued to fall. The early action in the game was therefore limited, as both sides struggled to get into a rhythm. Widnes were the first to go close, as Tony Wynne managed to burst forward and skip away from the on-rushing keeper, before cutting back inside and seeing his effort cleared off the line.

It was a good start from the visitors, who came into the game in a rotten run of league form, with Hill’s side slipping to 6 games without a win. Striker Wynne was an early headache for the Daisy Hill defenders, as he pulled the ball back into the path of Ronnie McCarthy who forced a solid save out of Daisies’ keeper John Cullen, before Wynne himself headed McCarthy’s resulting corner over the bar.

Despite Widnes’ early pressure, the hosts took the lead against the run of play. A corner from the right was headed against the post by Daisy Hill striker Daniel Gregory, with the ball rebounding against the leg of Danny Lomax before finding its way into the back of the net.

The goal seemed to rejuvenate the hosts who immediately began to settle into proceedings. Adam Farnworth drilled an effort wide before Gregory stung the gloves of debutant Hartley with a powerful shot that the Widnes keeper did well to push away from his goal.

Widnes grabbed a deserved equaliser shortly before the half-hour mark. Tony Wynne was again heavily involved as he provided an elegantly chipped cross into the 6-yard area that was headed home by stand-in skipper Ronnie McCarthy, who found the net for the 5th time this season.

Despite the conditions, the game was very much end-to-end as the playing surface became increasingly boggy and cut-up. Daisy Hill went close as striker Curtis Cummins, making his first appearance since re-signing from Runcorn Town, managed to evade the offside trap but he couldn’t beat Hartley with his effort, who got out quickly to shut the angle down. Widnes then saw another opportunity go amiss, as goalscorer McCarthy blazed a free-kick over.

Widnes should have taken the lead shortly thereafter. McCarthy managed to charge down a clearance, advancing towards the penalty area before picking out a late arriving Luke Edwards at the back-post who headed his effort wide when it was probably easier to hit the target at the very least.

Daisy Hill then punished Widnes for their inefficiencies in front of goal as they themselves took the lead with five minutes remaining in the half. Stemming from keeper Cullen saving from Edwards, the hosts went on the counter-attack with the ball eventually being worked out wide to Alex McPolin, who drilled an effort beyond Hartley and into the bottom corner.

The game was blown wide open minutes later though as Daisy were reduced to 10-men. Wynne again raced clear for Widnes with keeper John Cullen rushing out from his area, and recklessly bringing down the Widnes striker as he attempted to knock the ball beyond Cullen. The referee then sent Cullen off for the challenge, rather than being the last man with the hosts’ skipper Craig Naylor replacing Cullen between the sticks.

Halftime: Daisy Hill 2-1 Widnes

The end-to-end fashion of the game continued early in the second half. McPolin drilled an effort over the bar for Daisy Hill before Tony Wynne struggled to get his shot off as he allowed the Daisies to clear any danger.

Widnes equalised on the hour-mark. Patient build-up play from the visitors was rewarded as the ball was eventually worked to Ronnie McCarthy, who drilled an effort towards goal that found it's way into the bottom corner, beyond the outstretched Daisy stand-in keeper recording his second goal of the afternoon in the process.

Widnes then had a goal controversially ruled out for offside five minutes later. Steven Clarke found the bottom corner from the edge of the area, appearing to have marked his first Widnes start with a goal. However, the linesman had his flag up for offside, for an incident that had taken place in a different stage of play, chalking off Clarke’s first strike for Widnes.

Daisy Hill striker Curtis Cummins continued to be a nuisance up-front, as he was consistently getting the better of the Widnes back-four. He made easy work of Strutz-Rivelli before forcing another good save out of keeper Hartley, who was performing admirably well in his first appearance for Widnes.

Cummins’ hard-work was rewarded with a goal 15 minutes from time. Cummins lifted the ball over the stranded Hartley from just inside the area, finding the net with his finish. It was truly a delightful finish from Cummins, whose performance on the day fully warranted a goal.

Shortly afterwards, Daisy Hill put the game to bed as they scored a fourth with a little over 10 minutes to play. Matthew Davidson found the net for the hosts, as he drilled an effort into the roof of the net from 25 yards out, condemning Widnes to a 3rd consecutive defeat.

Fulltime: Daisy Hill 4-2 Widnes

It was a deserved victory for Daisy Hill in the end, who performed admirably in the second half despite having an outfield player in goal and having a one-man disadvantage in the second period.

Widnes are now 7 games without a win as they prepare for the biggest fixture in the club’s history; the Liverpool Senior Cup quarter-final tie with Everton on Monday Night. They return to league action on Saturday 12th December, hosting Rochdale Town at the Select Security Stadium.

Daisy Hill: Cullen (GK), Broadhurst, Davis (Gavin 75), Foster, Naylor (C), Farnworth (Farrell 61), Davidson, Knowles (Worrall 61), Gregory, Cummins, McPolin.

Subs not used: Holoran.

Widnes: Hartley (GK), Davies, Carney, Strutz-Rivelli, Cartwright, Lomax, Burthem, Clarke, Wynne, McCarthy (C), Edwards.

Subs not used: Norris, Stanley, McGrogan.