Widnes 1-2 St Helens Town

Widnes FC were again left to rue a poor first half performance as they were beaten 2-1 by St Helens Town in a local derby at the Select Security Stadium.

Two goals in the opening 20 minutes from St Helens’ striking duo of George Lomax and Andy Gillespie meant that the visitors lead at the break. A goal from substitute Antoine Recizac 10 minutes into his debut gave Widnes a second half lifeline but a string of superb saves from St Helens goalkeeper Matthew Hodge, and some resolute defending from the visitors ensured that Saints held on for the derby spoils.

In essence, the game had a similar feel to Widnes’ previous outing; a defeat at home to Irlam by the same scoreline two weeks ago. Widnes were again left to rue a poor first half performance that ultimately robbed the hosts of a chance to pick up a valuable point or three. Despite a much-improved second half performance that deserved more, Widnes were again left on the losing end of yet another tight North West Counties Football League First Division tie.

Widnes manager Steve Hill made two changes to his side that were defeated by Irlam. Tom Hackett and Jamil Campbell-Joseph both returned to the starting lineup as they came in for the unavailable duo of Ben Cartwright and Tony Wynne. Meanwhile, Elliot Toner and Antoine Recizac were named amongst the substitutes potentially in line for debuts.

The visitors made a flying start to the game. Widnes were slow to close down Daniel Greene whose cross into the 6-yard area was deftly flicked on by skipper Gillespie to strike partner George Lomax, who had the composure to keep hold of the ball before slotting his effort beyond keeper Ben Morrow to give St Helens a 10th minute lead.

They came close to doubling their lead minutes later as Sam Sheen’s free-kick was well saved by Morrow before Andrew Presho headed the resulting cross over the bar.

St Helens eventually did increase their lead shortly before the midway point of the first period. Greene was again heavily involved as his free-kick was met by the head of Andy Gillespie whose header forced an error out of Widnes keeper Morrow, as the ball found its way into the back of the net beneath the outstretched body of the Whites’ no.1.

Morrow made up for his error as he produced an excellent save to prevent Saints from putting the game to bed before halftime. Neat football from the visitors dispatched Aaron Morris, who got in behind the Widnes backline with relative ease before forcing the save out of the Widnes shot-stopper.

It was a composed and comfortable first half performance from the visitors, who rarely allowed Widnes out of their own half as the hosts rarely threatened Saints keeper Matthew Hodge, who waited 41 minutes to make a save as he had to be alert to brilliantly palm Tom Hackett’s long-range rocket over the bar.

Halftime: Widnes 0-2 St Helens Town

Widnes manager Hill took the opportunity to switch to a 3-5-2 formation at the break, in an effort to shore up the midfield whilst offering far more going forward. George McGrogan and debutant Antoine Recizac were introduced in place of Corey Mason and Jamie Casson, as Paul Carney moved into midfield.

The tactical change paid almost instant dividends as Widnes pulled a goal back 10 minutes into the second half. Jamil Campbell-Joseph delivered a cross from the right that was only half-cleared by St Helens allowing the late arriving substitute Recizac to make a spectacular start to his Widnes career, as he headed the ball home beyond the rooted Hodge to give the hosts a lifeline to build on.

Widnes began to dominate possession as they searched for an equaliser. However, despite limited possession, St Helens still looked threatening on the counter-attack as the pace of Lomax and Greene looked to provide for the skipper Gillespie up-front.

Tunde Owolabi was a frequent thorn in the side of the Saints backline, but he was regularly denied by resolute defending from the visitors. His never-say-die attitude eventually presented the striker with an opportunity as he beat Hodge to a loose ball with his cut-back into the area being cleared by Marshall before any Widnes man could get on the end of it.

As time ticked away, Widnes were beginning to run out of time as they pushed for the all important fourth goal that would prove pivotal if it went either way. St Helens continued to push for a goal that would wrap up all three points, and they came close as Morris played Gillespie through but the Saints skipper could only fire over the bar.

Ben Morrow produced a catalogue of saves throughout the game, as he atoned for his earlier error. He was on hand to produce a smart stop from a Sam Sheen free-kick and deny a further shot on goal from Gillespie.

Widnes came close to an equaliser in the last minute of the 90 as a long punt forward from McGrogan was headed on by Carney into the path of Owolabi, who made an excellent run to get in behind the Saints defence but was denied a certain goal by a terrific save from keeper Hodge, who got down extremely well to make the save and preserve the win for his side.

Fulltime: Widnes 1-2 St Helens Town

Ultimately, Widnes were let down by their poor first half performance for the second consecutive game and St Helens duly punished them as they held on for the three points.

Widnes are back in action on Wednesday night as they travel to another of the division’s form sides, Litherland REMYCA for midweek North West Counties Football League action before making the visit to Eccleshall next Saturday.

Widnes: Morrow, Mason (McGrogan 46), Carney, Wilson, Mitchell (C), Lomax, Casson (Recizac 46), Hackett (Toner 64), Owolabi, Campbell-Joseph, Edwards.

Subs not used: Strutz-Rivelli, Davidson.

St Helens Town: Hodge, Morris, Marshall, Lawrence, Presho, Sheen, Pegler (Alex Gillespie 90), Mavers (Blayney 66), Andy Gillespie (C), Lomax, Greene (Murphy 80).

Subs not used: Davidson, Whelan.