Holker Old Boys 3-1 Widnes

Three goals in seven second half minutes ensured that Holker Old Boys ran out 3-1 winners over Widnes on a bitterly cold afternoon at Rakesmoor Lane in Cumbria.

After a defensively solid and pleasing first half performance, Widnes had a 7-minute spell to forget as The Stags clinically punished Steve Hill’s side who made three mistakes that cost the visitors three goals with Christopher Wraighte, Guy Heffernan and John-Paul Stanway capitalising on three defensive blunders to give Holker an unassailable 3-0 lead early in the second half.

Luke Edwards’ 12th goal of the season came on the 66th minute mark but Edwards’ strike proved to be only a consolation, as Widnes’ misery was compounded 10 minutes from time, as midfielder Tom Hackett was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a late challenge.

Manager Hill made three changes to the side that were beaten 2-0 against Chadderton last week. Danny Burthem and Jamil Campbell-Joseph came in for the unavailable duo of Steven Clarke and Tony Wynne, whilst George McGrogan returned from three months out with a knee injury as he came in for Danny Wilson.

On a poor playing surface that wasn’t helped by the warranted 15 tonnes of sand laid down to get the game on, both sides struggled to find a rhythm in the early stages. The first chance of the game fell to Holker as Jordan Brough forced a tremendous save out of Ben Morrow with a header from inside the 6-yard area that Morrow just managed to tip over the crossbar with his fingertips.

Widnes then threatened themselves. A long throw-in from Corey Mason was helped on towards the back post by the combining duo of Luke Edwards and Jamil Campbell-Joseph before Danny Lomax turned the ball wide with his head.

Holker again came close midway through the opening half. Ping-pong ensued in Widnes’ penalty area as the visitors’ backline held firm and blocked multiple shots on goal before John-Paul Stanway had an effort deflected wide for a corner that was routinely dealt with by keeper Morrow.

Chances were at a premium in the first half as both teams defended well. Widnes held Holker to shots from distance whilst The Stags limited Hill’s side to rare attacks which were competently dealt with when launched.

Bradley Hubbold curled a free-kick over for the hosts following the half-hour mark, whilst Lomax volleyed wide for Widnes after Corey Mason’s cross from the right was cleared into feet of the Widnes man, who couldn’t get his shot on target.

Halftime: Holker Old Boys 0-0 Widnes

Widnes would have been pleased with their first half performance, and their ability to limit the division’s form side to half-chances in a defensively stout opening 45 minutes.

Scott Redhead’s Cumbrians came out for the second period revitalised and took the lead less than 90 seconds into the half. A defensive mishap from Widnes allowed Brough to steal away possession and force a good save out of Morrow before Paul Carney made a terrific challenge to deny Hubbold a tap-in. The ball eventually ran to Christopher Wraighte, who made no mistake as he tucked away the rebound into an empty net to give his side the lead.

After taking the lead, the hosts never looked back. They doubled their lead 10 minutes into the second half as Hubbold’s free-kick was fumbled by Widnes shot-stopper Morrow into the path of Guy Heffernan who bundled the ball over the line to double Holker’s lead.

Holker netted their third, and second in as many minutes shortly afterwards. A long-ball over the top caused a communication issue in the Widnes defence allowing John-Paul Stanway to nip in ahead of the on-rushing keeper Morrow before slotting the ball home into an empty net.

At 3-0, Holker were comfortable and were good value for their lead. Widnes’ good performance had been undone by a 7-minute capitulation that didn’t reflect their earlier efforts on the day. They didn’t go away however as Hill’s side continued to press the hosts. Tom Hackett drilled a free-kick towards goal that was pushed away to safety by Stags’ keeper Ross Liddicott.

Widnes then pulled a goal back on the 66-minute mark. Luke Edwards continued his impressive debut season for the club as he raced clear and slotted the ball beneath the on-rushing Liddicott to net his 12th goal of the season, giving Widnes an all-important lifeline in the process.

10 minutes later, Widnes should have reduced the deficit to one. A delicious delivery from left-back Paul Carney fell at the feet of Daniel Burthem, who struck his shot straight at Liddicott who made a routine and comfortable save. Burthem should have, and probably would have scored had he placed his shot either side of Holker’s no.1.

Widnes were reduced to 10-men as time began to tick away as Tom Hackett made a late challenge on Billy Moss and received a second yellow card for a tackle that summed up his and Widnes’ frustrations on the day.

Holker looked to take advantage of their one-man advantage and should have added a fourth goal five minutes from time. Substitute Gareth Smith also made an instant impact within 60 seconds of his introduction as he sliced an effort wide from inside the penalty area when it was probably easier to hit the target.

Fulltime: Holker Old Boys 3-1 Widnes

The defeat means that Widnes remain in an increasingly worrying run of form having won just twice in their last 13 games in all competitions stretching back to early October’s 6-1 victory over Stockport Town.
Hill and his side will look to bounce back as they return to the Select Security Stadium as Widnes take on Daisy Hill next week.

Holker Old Boys: Liddicott (GK), Bonner, Moss, Coombe, Heffernan, Parker (Smith 85), Wraighte, Barker (Rushton 66), Brough (Rebello 66), Hubbold, Stanway.

Subs not used: Hodgson.

Widnes: Morrow (GK), Mason, Carney, McGrogan, Mitchell (C), Cartwright, Burthem, Lomax, Campbell-Joseph, Hackett, Edwards.

Subs not used: N/A.