Litherland REMYCA 1-0 Widnes

A 76th minute strike from Litherland REMYCA midfield Colin Quirk proved to be the difference-maker at Litherland Sports Park as Widnes FC fell to their fifth defeat in their last six games.

REMYCA came into the game as the division’s form side having won five out of their last six games. However, they were beaten 1-0 at home by Bacup Borough last time out and were itching to bounce back at the expense of a Widnes who were searching for only their third league win of the New Year.

Widnes manager Steve Hill made two changes to his side that were beaten 2-1 by St Helens Town in their previous outing. George McGrogan came into a back-three as he replaced the injured Corey Mason whilst Grant Hartley made only his second appearance of the season in goal, coming in for the unavailable no.1 Ben Morrow.

The game was a tight affair from the get-go, as both sides adapted to the increasingly bitter conditions and looked to establish a rhythm on a difficult pitch to play on, as the ball frequently bobbled around not aiding either side’s control of possession.

Widnes had the better of the early chances as Tom Hackett was the first to register a shot on target in the game, as he rifled a 25-yard effort towards goal that was beaten away by the outstretched Litherland keeper Paul Willis.

Hackett was heavily involved as Widnes came close again a little over 10 minutes later. Hackett whipped a free-kick in towards the back-post from the far-side that was met by George McGrogan, who rose highest but couldn’t only divert his towering header just past the post.

REMYCA grew into the half as it approached its midway point. They spurned a glorious opportunity to take the lead on the 20-minute mark. Skipper Colin McDonald had a goalbound header cleared off the line by Danny Wilson before the hosts couldn’t quite bundle the ball over the line as stand-in Widnes keeper Grant Hartley managed to gather the loose ball to avert any further danger.

They came close to an opener again two minutes later, as a delicious delivery from full-back Alex Ryan found its way towards the back-post where Daniel Duffy couldn’t quite muster a touch on the ball to divert it goalwards.

From that point onwards, both sides were held to half-chances as they worked the ball forward into dangerous areas. Hackett continued to threaten for Widnes as he saw yet another long-range effort saved as he struck a free-kick straight into the grateful gloves of goalkeeper Willis.

Down the other end, skipper McDonald again pestered the Widnes defence, as he twisted and turned away from his man on the edge of the area before skying his effort well over the bar. Following this, Widnes went close themselves as Jamie Casson’s corner came out to Luke Edwards who struck a shot over on the half-volley.

Halftime: Litherland REMYCA 0-0 Widnes

Widnes would have been pleased with their performance in the opening period, as they contained the hosts well and created a good amount of chances which were squandered by the lack of a cutting edge going forward.

The two sides continued to cancel each other out early in the second half. However, REMYCA began to have the better of the attacking chances. Daniel Duffy could only find the side-netting with a shot inside the opening minute of the half before James McGrane’s corner from the right minutes later bounced along the top of the bar as the wind started to pickup at Litherland Sports Park early in the half.

REMYCA continued to search for an opener and came close to breaking the deadlock 10 minutes into the second half. David Thompson fired a cross-cum-shot across the face of goal that fell at the feet of Alex Ryan arriving at the back-post for the hosts who forced a stunning save out of Hartley who reacted well to push the ball away from danger. However, a goal wouldn’t have counted anyway as he offside flag was raised in the build-up to the chance.

On the hour-mark, Widnes squandered a chance of their own as Casson’s free-kick from the right-hand side was met by the head of Hackett who would have been disappointed with his effort, as he could only direct his header straight at the goalkeeper. Hackett should have tested the REMYCA goalkeeper at the very least.

Widnes again came close shortly afterwards. The visitors were awarded a free-kick directly on the very edge of the box as REMYCA defender Chris Lowe fouled the surging forward Tunde Owolabi. Luke Edwards took the free-kick and forced a decent save out of Willis who was on-hand to deny Hackett on the rebound, who couldn’t quite turn the ball home to give his side the lead.

Widnes manager Hill switched to a back-four as he went in search for a winner. Casson and the impressive Hackett were withdrawn in favour of Braian Strutz-Rivelli and Liam Davidson. However, the game began to turn in the hosts’ favour as they began to push for a winner.

From a free-kick, David Flynn headed just wide of the post for REMYCA before Colin Quirk opportunistically unleashed a 40-yard volley on goal that forced the backtracking keeper Hartley to acrobatically tip the ball over the bar to spare his blushes and prevent Quirk from adding yet another goal-of-the-season contender to his impressive résumé of goals.

Quirk eventually did get his name on the scoresheet as he broke the deadlock 15 minutes from time. The former Barnton captain drilled a free-kick from just outside the area through the crowd of bodies in the penalty area and into the back of the net despite Widnes captain Tom Mitchell’s best efforts to hook the ball away, off the line.

It was clear that Widnes had lost their shape at the back as REMYCA moved to punish their opponents. McGrane was denied a second for the hosts as he was denied by a smart stop from keeper Hartley before a further chance for the host went amiss as REMYCA captain McDonald capitalised on a poor clearance from the Widnes keeper, hooking a shot against the post prior to turning the rebound wide.

Widnes were far from dead and buried though, and should have rescued a point inside second half stoppage time. Tunde Owolabi ran onto a loose back pass for his side, surging forward one-on-one with Willis but was guilty of taking a touch too many as Flynn made an impressive challenge for REMYCA before Owolabi struck the foot of the post at the second attempt as Litherland held on for the all-important three points.

Fulltime: Litherland REMYCA 1-0 Widnes

It was yet another disappointing result for Widnes, who now must pick themselves up as they travel down to Eccleshall on Saturday in a clash between two sides inside the North West Counties Football League First Division’s bottom-four.

Widnes: Hartley, McGrogan, Carney, Wilson, Mitchell (C), Lomax, Casson (Davidson 67), Hackett (Strutz-Rivelli 67), Owolabi, Campbell-Joseph, Edwards (Reciac 86).

Subs not used: N/A